Joe Longthorne

Joe Longthorne was born in Hull 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.

He was six, when he came first in a talent show. 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.

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.

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.

  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.

  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. In a last

  ditch attempt to save his life in 2005, Joe underwent a bone marrow

  transplant that very nearly killed him.

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.

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.

Last year 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. He has also just released his first studio album for 10 years to rave reviews.

A new chapter in Joeís life has begun.