Singer Joe eyes return to stage

As the summer season in Blackpool comes to an end, the veteran singer’s manager has spoken of his return to health following a cancer scare earlier this year.

In June last year, Joe was diagnosed with mouth cancer and faced a 12-hour operation to remove the tumour, forcing him to cancel a series of shows at Viva in Church Street.

And this summer, when the tumour returned he pulled a season of shows at North Pier Theatre, when a six-week course of radiotheraphy was prescribed to treat the disease.

Joe’s manager and partner Jamie Moran said: “He’s doing really well, the radiotherapy finished six weeks ago but it stays in the system for six months – so it takes its toll.

“Joe was 30 when he first got cancer.

“He’s 60 now and you don’t bounce back so quickly.”

Joe celebrated his 60th birthday in May with a concert at the London Palladium, as well as a night at Viva for his local supporters - with a double DVD set of the shows having been edited by Joe during his recovery.

And he’s looking forward to meeting fans at an afternoon tea event, in aid of the Joe Longthorne Foundation, at The Imperial on Sunday, November 15 - which Jamie described as his ‘first step back to work’.

“With it being his 60th year, Joe does feel bad to have cancelled shows around the country, and to have missed two summer seasons in Blackpool, especially,” Jamie added.

“But it looks like he’ll be back. In the past it’s been 150 shows a year, plus a summer season, but that’s a lot to do now and it’s too much with all the travel.

“While he has the studio at home and can work on recording new songs, being on stage is his big love - it’s what he’s lived his life for.

“For now, he’s got to settle more in Blackpool, and concentrate on the foundation.”

The Joe Longthorne Foundation has been running for two years, and supports charitable endeavours and individuals in their various causes.