Three Havering performers are coming together to hold a charity concert in aid of a showbiz icon.
Outspoken comedian Jimmy Jones, from Upminster, compere Mickey Pugh, from Rainham, and singer Gary Driscoll, from Elm Park, are holding a night not to be missed at the Circus Tavern, in Purfleet, on November 4.
The event is raising money for Bloodwise, the blood cancer charity, as legendary entertainer Joe Longthorne is stricken with the illness.
Joe, 62, who is suffering from lympohoma, will be performing on the night.
The singer first discovered he had blood cancer in 1987.
He received treatment and continued to perform, however, in 2005 lymphoma degenerated into leukaemia, and he underwent a bone marrow transplant.
The operation was successful but lymphoma returned this year, and now Joe is using his star status to raise money to beat blood cancer.
Promoter Tommy Brown told the Recorder: “Joe is the best entertainer this country has ever produced, and those are not my words, they’re the words of Dame Shirley Bassey.
“He has 50 years in show business, and we are going to back him all the way.
“He is worth every penny we are going to raise to stop this terrible disease.
“I urge your readers to come out for a fantastic charity night, and let us try and find a cure for the lymphoma.”
Tommy explained that a particular highlight would be Gary Driscoll’s performance.
Gary suffered from post traumatc stress disorder (PTSD) from his time serving in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, and after leaving the forces found singing helped him with his condition.
He’s sung at Wimbledon and on BBC One’s famous show Tonight’s the Night hosted by John Barrowman.
The charity Bloodwise has said it “truly appreciates the gesture” of organising the event, and it “would like to thank the performers immensely”.
A spokeswoman said: “Bloodwise is the UK’s specialist blood cancer charity dedicated to improving the lives of patients.”
Tickets are available for £20, with all proceeds going to Bloodwise, from the Circus Tavern box office. Call 01708 863 838.
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