Big showbiz chance for entertainer Paul

Coincidentally other Wakefield clubland entertainers such as Sasha Lawrence and a certain Jane McDonald have filled the role over the years at this great venue. The venue booker John Hope often invites me over to see the show, so perhaps I might catch the lovely Jade in action before the end of the season.

I bumped into popular clubland star Danny Andrews at a charity function the other week. Danny has been away from our local scene for quite a while as he went to live and work on the West Coast in Blackpool for a while. Danny tells me that he is still working in Blackpool every Monday and Tuesday throughout the season, but can be seen again in our clubs at weekends.

Methley-based comedy entertainer Johnnie Martell was in fine form when I saw him in action last Saturday night. Johnnie and I started in the business at roughly the same time, when we were both slim and hirsute. Now both considerably less so, it’s great to see the very funny Mr Martell back on stage after recent health problems.

Normanton-based entertainer Paul Stewart is to receive his big chance in showbusiness next week at an event in Liverpool, which is being televised on the Sky holiday channel. A full showcase event is being filmed by the television company and Paul is one of the acts appearing in front of an audience entirely made up of cruise ship and corporate entertainment bookers. I shall be at the event as I have been engaged to compere the show and produce the showcase, so I’ll let Paul’s many clubland fans know how he gets on. I’m sure that Paul’s lovely fiancée, the cruise ship headliner Siobhan Phillips, will be there to cheer him on.

Wakefield Clubland singer Jane Hubert is usually seen on stage with her hubby Dean, where the couple are known as Two Steps Forward. Jane took a step into musical theatre-land when she appeared in a production of The Sound of Music, which was staged at our own local Wakefield Theatre Royal and Opera House. With so many nuns around I do hope that Jane didn’t pick up too many bad habits.

Clubland star Cat Lee, who is known in country music circles as Nancy Ann Lee, has been honoured by being invited to appear and sing in the forthcoming British Country Music Awards. I know that Nancy has worked hard on her country act and I’m sure that all her friends will be wishing her well as she heads to London to appear in the show.

Finally for this week, congratulations to Brian and Janet Cunningham, who are now behind the bar at Ladybalk social club in Pontefract. This lovely couple are now grandparents after their daughter Nicola gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. Many of us know Brian as one half of the comedy duo Funnybones, but the couple recently returned from living and working in Bridlington to run their own neighbourhood club. I know that, after their recent difficult time, all Brian and Janet’s friends will be delighted to hear this news. I shall certainly be popping in for a drinkie soon at one of the club’s Monday night entertainment shows.

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