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09.10.08
JOE'S BIOGRAPHY
Joe Longthorne was born in Hull on the 31st of May 1955 into a show business family: his parents were both travelling show people, so it was only a matter of time before young Joe started entertaining for himself.
"When I was six, I came first in a talent show, and my prize was a huge toy motor car. I think I decided then that show business and entertaining was for me. I was hooked, so I entered as many talent contests as I could and I sang to anyone who would listen to me".
At the age of fourteen, he landed a part in Yorkshire Television's popular series, 'Junior Showtime' and remained with the show for over two years, working with many of Britain's leading stars. "I loved that show", he says. "It taught me so much and the experience I gained then has definately held me in good stead ever since. I then turned professional and set about earning a living for myself in the Northern workingmen's clubs. It was a tough training ground, but an essential apprenticeship for any entertainer".
It was through the London Weekend series 'Search For A Star' in 1981 that Joe was first launched onto the British televiewing public as a singer-impressionist, and his success on the show led to appearances at the London Palladium and a month long season at London's Talk Of The Town.
The following year, he received the Variety Club's coveted award for Most Promising Artiste and has been fulfilling that promise ever since.
Besides his unqualified success in Britain, Joe's supreme talent won high praise in America from press and public alike: in 1985, he was invited to headline a season at the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago. The show was originally booked to run for 6 weeks, but proved so successful that it was extended to 5 months.
Back in the UK he made the breakthrough to success on television in 1987 when he was featured as Special Guest Star for the entire series of BBC TV's 'Les Dennis' Laughter Show', which became the platform for his first TV special for Thames Television - 'The Joe Longthorne Show' which was reprieved in 1989, 1990 and again in 1991. With each TV appearance, Joe was acclaimed for his performances, starring in all the major domestic television shows, including 'Live From The Palladium' and 'Des O'Connor Tonight'. He also produced three best-selling, Platinum Disc winning albums for Telstar,'The Joe Longthorne Songbook', 'Especially For You' and 'The Joe Longthorne Christmas Album'.
The undoubted star of the 1989 Royal Variety Show and at the pinnacle of his career, it was around this time that life was to throw Joe the biggest challenge of all when he was diagnosed with Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer that very nearly proved fatal.
"Cancer, is not a word you expect to hear when things are going so well. I felt invincible and suddenly out of the blue I felt helpless. I had two choices; to give in or fight. I chose the later. I got up, dusted myself off and got on with life."
After responding well to treatment he embarked on a tour of Australia and created a piece of show business history when he appeared on the 'Mike Walsh Show', Australia's premier daytime programme. His performance prompted the largest ever call-in from viewers and he was brought back to perform again the following day.
Although constantly battling his illness, he continued to soar up the show business ladder in the early 90's with sell-out performances in such venues as at The Royal Albert Hall, The Sydney Opera House and The London Palladium. Dubbed 'The hardest working showman in the business' he embarked on massive tours performing on average over one hundred shows a year.
Although television companies were reluctant to invest in Joe given his illness, he continued to dazzle audiences in live performance, breaking box office records up and down the country. He also had great success with video releases throughout this period; "Live in Concert", entered the video chart at No.1 in 1994 and "A Man And His Music" remained in the charts for 47 weeks throughout 1996.
As he struggled to come to terms with his illness which returned every few years, a host of financial problems began to emerge from past mis-management that led him to bankruptcy in the later part of the 90's. "I had some very bad advice", says Joe. "It's very difficult to be an artiste and take care of the finances at the same time".
In the early part of the new millenium, Joe had managed to get back on track financially through a grueling host of national tours and always managed to steal the show whenever he appeared on television. But his illness was now approaching a final phase and had degenerated into leukaemia. "I always knew this day would come", he said "I have had a good run at life. I have no regrets".
In a last ditch attempt to save his life in 2005, Joe underwent a bone marrow transplant that very nearly killed him. "I can remember lying on a block of ice, in and out of consciousness" he recalls, "the priest had read me the last rights four times and I was ready for God to take me".
"I am not quite sure how he managed to pull through", his surgeon remarked. "It was somewhat of a miracle. Perhaps it was to do with the hundreds of fans outside the hospital with their candle lit vigil".
Joe edged his way back to recovery returning to the stage with a sell-out show at the London Palladium in 2006. Finally, cured of his seventeen year illness he now had a new lease on life and in 2007 the Variety Club's Most Promising Artiste of '83 was awarded their most coveted of accolades; the Lifetime Achievement Award which placed him amongst a galaxy of past recipients like Sinatra, Garland and Fitzgerald.
"I haven't felt this good for decades" he said on the podium. "It's like I have gone back 20 years".
The time is right for Joe Longthorne. He has fought and won the battle against cancer and as entertainment comes full circle he has earnt a very special place in live performance where he reigns supreme.
In August he stole the show at The London Palladium amidst a galaxy of super-stars for the BBC in a salute to Oscar-winning songwriter Don Black and November sees him perform for the Duke of Kent at the Royal Variety Show in the west end of London. He has also just released his first studio album for 10 years to rave reviews.
A new chapter in Joeís life has begun.
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