' HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY JOE'
31st May 2024
Remembering Joe today on what would have been Joe’s 69th birthday. One of the UK’s greatest ever entertainers, ‘incomparable’ in ev...
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REMEMBERING JOE 4 YEARS ON
2nd August 2023
Tomorrow 3rd August 2023 very sadly marks four years since Joe passed on back in 2019. Warm and cherished memories live on forever with ever...
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31
May
May
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE !
Big Happy Birthday Wishes to Joe Longthorne who celebrates his birthday today. Joe is 59 today and will be celebrating with family, special friends and fans tonight at VIVA Blackpool, a few tickets still available by calling the Viva Box Office on T: 01253 297297.
28
May
May
NEWS UPDATE......
Joe has asked us to pass on the latest news to you all, at present he is under the consultation of his medical team with regard to treatment for his throat cancer.
Joe is feeling well enough to continue to perform so it's business as usual this Sat 31st May for Joe's Birthday Party at Viva Blackpool.Joe will be on stage taking Q & As from the audience and he will be joined by MD Steve 'Stretch' Price for a song or two. The evening consists of a superb 3 course dinner, the full evening's show with Joe and
a host of special guests all coming along to celebrate Joe's birthday. Viva's own Leye D Johns is hosting the evening. Tickets are £45 for dinner and show, also a few show only tickets still available.Call VIVA's Box Office now on T: 01253 297297 or book online at www.vivablackpool.com.
27
May
May
JOE LONGTHORNE SPEAKS TO ITV ABOUT HIS SECOND BATTLE WITH CANCER
Joe will be featured on the early evening ITV Calendar regional News programme tonight. The ITV cameras filmed Joe's Sunday night show at Viva Blackpool, the last before he returns to meet with his medical team today to learn more about the treatment he will receive for his throat cancer.
Watch the complete interview by clicking HERE
24
May
May
SHOWBIZ PALS LINE UP TO SUPPORT STAR JOE
The showbusiness community has been lining up today to offer its support for singing star Joe Longthorne in his latest battle against cancer.
The 58-year-old resort favourite was told on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with throat cancer but has vowed to carry on performing as he undergoes treatment which is due to start next week.
Joe famously beat leukaemia after undergoing a bone marrow transplant in 2006 and is back on top form and booked in to play 74 shows this year.
But now he faces an operation to remove the lump in his throat followed by a course of radiotherapy at Blackpool ?Victoria Hospital where he was treated before.
Blackpool star Linda Nolan, whose sister Bernie died of cancer last July, said her whole family will be praying for his recovery.
She said: “Joe is one of our great entertainers and amazing vocalist and a musical and comedy impressionist second to none. It is such a cruel disease and to have throat cancer is a cruel twist for someone as talented as Joe.
“But he can do this, he has fought it before and I know he will battle with great dignity. He has always been very kind to our family, a great friend and we will all be praying for him.
“We have to keep fighting this disease and one day we will beat it.”
Syd Little, from the famous comedy duo Little and Large, who lives in Fleetwood, said everyone in Blackpool would be behind Joe.
He said: “Joe is wonderful and he belongs to Blackpool, even though he was born in Hull. He has made his home here and everyone has taken him to their hearts.
“I can remember Joe topping the bill at the Opera House in 1993 and performing with us before that. We were doing two shows a night, 10 weeks. We did the first half and Joe the second and the first five rows were filled with his fans! Joe was very kind to us about that. They had to put up with us but they must have liked us because they kept coming back.
“When Eddie was ill Joe was kind enough to give me some work in his shows. He is like that, a very generous man and one of the best perfomers this country has ever produced and still going strong. You can never put a good man down and I hope Joe remembers that and gets well soon.”
Blackpool promoter Duggie Chapman said he was shocked to find out Joe was once again battling cancer. He said: “I am really sorry to hear about Joe. He had leukaemia before and fought back so I am sure he can do it again.
“He is a real trouper and I am sure he will carry on working. He’s a real showman. He has a very loyal army of fans who I’m sure will be supporting him all the way through.”
Agent Eric Hall said he had been inundated with phone calls from stars ?wishing Joe well.
He said: “Barbara Windsor’s very upset to hear Joe isn’t well and is thinking about him, I have had Liz Dawn who plays Vera on Coronation Street on the phone to offer her support, Engelbert Humperdinck, everyone.
“I was speaking to Rose Marie who Joe worked with quite recently in Blackpool and she said she can’t believe it. She sends her love and told me to tell him he will be all right.
“It is really good to see all these messages of good will, it shows the respect in which he is held and I know it will help him when he is starting his treatment next week.”
Comedy star Bobby Ball rang from filming location to offer his support. He said: “I have just heard the news. He’s a really strong man and I know he will keep going until he’s better.
“He is one of Blackpool’s own and the town will support him. I hope he will get well soon because he’s a great talent and we need to have him performing.”
Martin Heywood at Viva where Joe is performing a special Midnight Matinee show this weekend and his 59th birthday show on May 31, said: “Everyone here wishes Joe all the best for a speedy recovery and we can’t wait to welcome him here this weekend.
“It’s going to be an emotional show and I know his fans will be there for him. If anyone could be said to not deserve this it would be Joe. He is a lovely man and a great performer.
“We knew there was a chance that it might be cancer but when we heard the news yesterday it was still a shock. I spoke to him last night and we are all behind him.”
Joe’s manager Jamie Moran said: “Joe had found a lump in his throat and went to the doctor. He has had leukaemia and underwent a bone marrow transplant so he knows what to expect from the treatment.
“He has beaten it once so he can do it again. The medical team at Blackpool Victoria have been great with him.”
Joe himself said he was taking a positive outlook and would fight all the way to get fit again.
He said: “I would like to say to my fans at this time to think of my charities and give their support if they can. I am taking each day one day at a time and will remain positive and resolute about the outcome.”
Blackpool Gazette May 23rd 2014
23
May
May
ALICE BARRY CALLS IN ON JOE
Actress Alice Barry called in today to visit Joe Longthorne and bring him some get well wishes and a copy of her recent book. Entertainer and another good friend of Joe's Joe Wildy also dropped in to see Joe and here's a few photos of them together......
22
May
May
A MESSAGE FROM JOE
"These words are to my dearest fans, wherever you are. I'm thinking of you.
I am completely overwhelmed with the response from everyone, your good wishes, love and messages of support mean so very much to me. I hope that you are all well.
God Bless
Joe x "
21
May
May
BLACKPOOL GAZETTE 21 MAY 2014 JOE BATTLING CANCER AGAIN-JOE TELLS THE GAZETTE "I’LL BEAT THIS ILLNESS”
Blackpool singing star Joe Longthorne today revealed he is facing a second battle with cancer.The 58-year-old has been diagnosed with throat cancer and will begin treatment in the next few days. It is the latest cancer scare for the star who regularly packs venues with his loyal army of fans. Joe battled back from leukaemia in 2006.But despite the new setback, the ever-popular entertainer today vowed to beat the illness – and said he hopes to play as many shows as he can on his current tour.
Joe said: “I was completely and utterly shocked at being given the news about having to have treatment for throat cancer. However, I am 100 per cent positive. I’ve been here before, so here we go, round two coming up. You have two choices on being given news like this; you can stay down or get up and fight. I’ve always chosen to fight and fight on I will. I’ve beaten it before and will do so again.
There are always people much worse off than yourself so it’s important to keep focused. I have the most wonderful family one could ever have, some very dear friends and the best fans anyone could ever wish for. I have had their love and total support all through my life and they have and always will be there for me.
I would like to say to my fans at this time to think of my charities and give their support if they can. After receiving the MBE in 2012 I have given much more time and attention to helping others and I would like to ask my fans to do this too and they will be helping me on the way. We are like one big family these days as I like it.
Obviously with being a vocalist I am taking each day one day at a time and will remain positive and resolute about the outcome, I am a Catholic and have my faith and deep belief in Jesus Christ, he has seen me through before and he will be there for me this time.”
Joe is booked to play 74 shows this year, with concerts at the London Palladium including a 60th birthday show there next year and a series of shows at his hometown venue Viva. These start this weekend with a special “Midnight Matinee” show on Saturday into the early hours of Sunday and also include a show for his birthday on May 31.The show is a charity event and proceeds will go towards three good causes including to help the work of Dr Paul Kelsey, the Consultant Haematologist at Blackpool’s Victoria Hospital who heads the team which provides cancer care and treatment.
Joe’s manager Jamie Moran said: “Joe had found a lump in his throat and went to the doctor. He had some tests done including a biopsy and we got the results back today.He has had leukaemia and underwent a bone marrow transplant so he knows what to expect from the treatment. He has beaten it once so he can do it again. The medical team at Blackpool Victoria have been great with him. They have looked after him brilliantly; the specialist even comes round to his house.
He will be starting the treatment after the bank holiday so he will be performing all the shows until then. After that he will be taking it day by day. If the treatment allows and he feels well enough, he will perform.”Jamie said the treatment will take the form of surgery at first and then radiotherapy to reduce the cancer.
“He is in a bit of a daze as you can imagine, but he is still confident he can beat this just like he did last time. He could not be in a better place than Blackpool for his treatment. They will really look after him.”
Joe’s agent, well known showbiz personality Eric Hall, said the news had come as a big blow. He said: “He has beaten cancer before and he can beat it again and we will do everything to support him until he is better.” Joe was diagnosed with Lymphoma at the end of the1980s which then developed into leukaemia. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in 2006 and made a full recovery.
21
May
May
TOUR MANAGEMENT PRESS RELEASE
Tour Management on behalf of Joe Longthorne have announced this morning that Joe is to receive treatment following a routine check-up and subsequent diagnosis of throat cancer.
Joe is understandably deeply shocked at receiving this news and has spoken to the Blackpool Gazette, regarding this matter. He has issued a statement which will be carried on this website.
We would ask for your patience and understanding at this time.
15
May
May
JOE'S CHARITY MIDNIGHT MATINEE VIVA BLACKPOOL SUN 24 AUG 2014
News today of a special “Midnight Matinee” being organised by Joe Longthorne with VIVA Blackpool for Sunday 24th August 2014.
The midnight show will be after Joe’s “Sunday Night at VIVA” show with his band. Some of the finest performers around today will entertain everyone along with Joe himself and Viva’s Leye D.Johns in a packed show with all proceeds being donated to 3 very good causes as follows:
THE QUEENDEANS ASSOCIATION –
A Blackpool based charity, championed by the late Mrs Pat Mancini, one of Joe’s dearest friends,their prime aim is local good causes.
DR PAUL KELSEY, THE ONCOLOGY DEPT AT BLACKPOOL VICTORIA HOSPITAL-
Dr Kelsey, the Consultant Haematologist at Blackpool’s Victoria Hospital and a leading Cancer Specialist, heads the team which provides such wonderful care and treatment to local people affected by cancer.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS -
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition in which the lungs and digestive system become clogged with thick sticky mucus, the disease shows itself usually in the first year of life with no cure.
Tickets go on sale on Monday 19th May 2014 with prices from £10.00, doors open at 11pm on the night. Joe hopes that as many of you as possible will support this great show all in aid of three of his favoured charities.
12
May
May
JOE CHATS TO THE BLACKPOOL GAZETTE
'I COULD RETIRE IF I WANTED TO, BUT I LOVE PERFORMING'
In these days of X-Factor and the era of 15 minutes of fame, any young, up-and-coming performer should take a look at Joe Longthorne.
It’s one thing to have a brief flirtation with celebrity – it’s another thing entirely to be a success in showbusiness for almost 40 years.
Longthorne is still packing in audiences around the country, and has 74 shows booked in before the end of this year.
There are preliminary talks about an hour-long ‘An Audience With’ special, and he is hoping to celebrate his 60th birthday next May with a show at the London Palladium. He is also in the early stages of recording a brand new album.
As he chats about it all with good humour and modesty at his home in Layton, it is easy to forget Joe is a bit of a hero off the stage, as well as on it.
He was diagnosed with lymphoma at the end of the 80s, an illness which eventually degenerated into leukaemia. Joe needed a bone marrow transplant in 2006, and describes that period of his life as “utterly horrendous”.
He talks about it now because he knows so many others are affected by cancer.
“If you’ve been through it, and you have experienced what it is like, then you want to be able to help others,” he said.
“It was a horrible time, but awareness is the most powerful and important thing. I was ill and it wasn’t nice but you just have to grit your teeth and get on with it as best you can.”
It will take more than serious illness though, to stop a born performer like Joe getting up on stage.
Since his illness he has made only one concession. “I’ve bought a motorhome, which means I can drive to a gig the day before and stay over.
“That means I can relax and make sure I’ve got all my strength and energy for the show, instead of having to rush there a bit last minute and go straight on stage,” he explained.
Longthorne is synonymous with Blackpool, but he was, in fact, born in Hull, on May 31, 1955.
His parents were performers and he followed in their footsteps, landing a part in a Yorkshire TV show at the age of 14.
His career properly took off in 1981 when he appeared on London Weekend Television’s Search For A Star, and his success on the show led to appearances at the Palladium and a month-long season at London’s Talk Of The Town.
Joe, who moved to Blackpool during the 90s, has since headlined venues across the world, had his own TV show, released three platinum albums, and appeared on several Royal Variety Performances.
Throw into that an MBE in 2012, and overcoming health issues, and it is clear this is a man who deserves the utmost respect.
“It has been terrific when I look back on my career, and I suppose I could retire if I wanted to,” he said.
“But I love performing. I love that connection you get with an audience.
“It’s like a football player and the crowd, that buzz they get. It’s the same for a performer.
“I don’t have a clue what I’m going to do until I get on stage. Then I face the audience, hear them, and when that contact happens, off I go. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
For those who haven’t ?seen him in action, Joe is a terrific singer, who writes his own songs and performs covers.
He’s also well known for his impressions, and his rendition of Dame Shirley Bassey has to be seen to be believed.
He has dates lined up throughout Europe and Australia over the course of the year, but has made sure his many local fans get a chance to see him too by lining up a number of Sunday night gigs at Viva.
“That’s important to me, because I love Blackpool and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else,” he said.
“I did my first ever show at the Layton Institute back in the 70s, and the following year I was at North Pier with Roy Walker.
“The family of my partner, Jamie, have been in Blackpool for five generations, and it is one of those places that just feels exciting.
“It has this great melting pot of characters from all over the world, the local people are wonderful and great to talk to, and I just love it.”
He’s not just saying it, he means it.
Joe talks at length about the area, including one entertaining rant about the stupidity of the council placing a bench in the middle of a busy road in Layton (“I’m going to organise a picnic and we can all sit there and breathe in the diesel fumes!”).
He also tells a good story too about when the letter arrived two years ago telling him he was getting an MBE.
He said: “Jamie opened it and told me. I thought he’d got it wrong and it was HMP, from Her ?Majesty’s Prisons”.
Joe says he has few regrets, though he does admit he’d be lying if he said he didn’t want more TV exposure.
“It must be 25 years since I last appeared properly on TV, and by properly I mean other than just singing the odd song,” he said.
“That does annoy me a bit, because I still feel I have plenty to offer – I’m still packing places out all over the country.”
Joe is doing various one-night shows at Viva throughout the summer, and will follow his show on August 24 with a Midnight Charity Matinee, to raise money for local good causes.
07
May
May
JOE LONGTHORNE’S “60TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION” AT THE PALACE HOTEL MANCHESTER FRIDAY 29TH MAY 2015
We would like to announce a very special 60th Birthday Evening in honour of Mr Joe Longthorne MBE to be held at The Palace Hotel Manchester on Friday 29th May 2015.
Joe’s top of the bill, performing with his band and singers in a star studded glittering evening of celebration and extravaganza. Join Joe and his family and friends plus celebrities from show business and sport in the celebrations.
Tickets are now on sale priced at £75 per person which includes the full show and a 4 course banquet prepared to perfection by award winning chef Jason Littlejohns. This evening is promoted by Mickey Martin’s International Cabaret and tickets can only be purchased by calling the Box Office now on T: 01706 650515.
There is also the option for an overnight stay at The Palace Hotel at a reduced rate, please call T: 0161 288 1111 Option 1 and quote “Joe Longthorne Evening”.
We advise early booking for this event to guarantee the best seats and to avoid any disappointment.
