Singer and impressionist had previously battled cancer

The singer and entertainer Joe Longthorne has  died this morning  at the age of 64.

In a statement, his management said: 'It is with the deepest sadness that we have to announce that the nation’s beloved entertainer Joe Longthorne MBE passed away peacefully in the early hours of today at his cherished home in Blackpool,

‘Joe died in his bedroom, laying in the arms of his devoted husband of 21 years Jamie, with his rosary beads clutched tight to his chest. He leaves behind sister Ann and brother John. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Jamie and all the family at this sad time.’

Longthorne became famous in the early 1980s as a singer and impressionist on the ITV show Search For A Star.

He had suffered cancer, including  leukaemia and throat cancer, several times in his life. But his death was unexpected, as he was set to play a gig in Blackpool tomorrow as part of a summer-season weekend residency.

Longthorne had financial problems in his past too, filing for bankruptcy in 1996 after enjoying a lifestyle that includes a  private helicopter, expensive cars  a six-bedroom mansion in Berkshire.

Of Romani descent, Longthorne was known for his impersonations of Dame Shirley Bassey, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis.

Here he is in action:

Published: 3 Aug 2019