Showbiz veteran Tony Christie back where it all began: GALLERY

TONY Christie’s dressing room was the billiard room when he chalked up a half century in showbusiness with a homecoming gig at a working men’s club.

The 250-capacity Ivanhoe venue in Conisbrough gave the veteran star his first break—and will welcomed him back thisweek as he embarked on a massive national tour.

Tony (67) said performing there again was exciting and revealed the reason he first became involved in music in the village.

“My and my best friend Dave met at school and would sing Everly Brothers songs as we walked home,” he said.

“We were about 16ish at the time and were encouraged to join the choir. They were a group of singers who travelled to hospitals and charities.

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“Dave and I had already found out that they always called at the pub on the way home from Goole or Thorne or wherever, so we thought ‘Hello, let’s join up.’

“That’s what it all started as—a chance for a little underage drinking!”

Tony’s brother Neal Fitzgerald is warden at St Peter’s Church in Conisbrough, which will receive half of the proceeds from Wednesday’s gig.

Said Tony: “It’s a magnificent church, but has suffered with vandalism over the past year. Hopefully we can see some repairs and improvements there.

“The other half of the money will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust, of which I have been a patron for three years and they do some really valuable work.”

Back in 1961, Tony supported a young Lynne Perrie, who later played Ivy Tilsley on Corrie, and faulty microphone comic Norman Collier.

Tony said: “Norman is still with us and still as funny as ever.

“I performed four songs at the start of the night. I was 17 years old and it was my first ever professional gig so there were quite few nerves.

“It was really special this time around too because my mum, brother and a few old schoolfriends will be in the audience.”

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New album Now’s The Time—his 24th full-length release—featured in the homecoming set, along with some others from the Christie canon.

Tony was last at the Ivanhoe to shoot the cover for 2008 LP Made in Sheffield, produced by Steel City singer-songwriter Richard Hawley.

He said: “The new album has been getting rave reviews from the music press.”

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