The boy from Hull who won heart of the nation
TV’S JOE LONGTHORNE DIES AT 64 His long battle with cancer ended in his husband’s arms
ENTERTAINER Joe Longthorne died in the arms of his husband yesterday after losing his battle with cancer at 64.
Tributes poured in for the singer and impressionist after he passed away at his Blackpool home, comforted by Jamie Moran, his partner of 21 years, and also his manager.
Joe had his own Saturday night ITV show in the 80s and 90s – pulling in 12 million viewers every week.
He had a string of hit albums and performed at sold- out shows around the world.
Joe, who was awarded an MBE for services to charity in 2012, could command up to £2million a cabaret at the height of his fame, but shunned hotels, choosing instead to stay in a £78,000 caravan.
Born to Romany gipsy parents, he grew up in Hull and shot to fame in 1981 on TV show Search For A Star. He was loved for his striking musical impressions, including ld Dame Shirley Bassey, which left her quipping: “Joe does me better than me.”
As news of his death broke, comedian Les Dennis wrote: “So very sad to hear that Joe Longthorne has died. Worked with him many times. A supreme talent and a nice man. RIP.”
Impressionist and comedian Jon Culshaw tweeted: “Very sad to hear the great #JoeLongthorne has left us. He was such a spellbinding performer. He was also a man of great generosity, warmth, kindness and wit.”
Radio DJ and comedy writer Danny Baker described him as “a proper powerhouse turn”, while Cold Feet actor John Thompson said he was “a great entertainer”. Comedian Russ Abbot said: “He was one of the best entertainers in his field and a very brave man. RIP Joe.”
Joe became a household name in the 80s, releasing three platinum albums. He hosted The Joe Longthorne Show from 1988 to 1991, but suffered repeatedly from ill health, including blood cancer in 1987, which ended with a diagnosis of chronic lymphatic lymphoma two years later.
He received a bone marrow transplant in 2006, but in 2014 he was diagnosed with throat cancer.
Speaking about his health struggles, he said: “Cancer is not a word you expect to hear when things are going so well. I felt invincible, and suddenly out of the blue I felt helpless.
“I had two choices – to give in or fight. I dusted myself off and got on with life.”
Before his marriage to Jamie, he had a relationship with a woman named Susan, who gave birth to their son Ricky. Father and son were estranged for 17 years but reunited in 2009.
His family said in a statement: “It is with the deepest sadness we have to announce the nation’s beloved entertainer Joe Longthorne MBE passed away peacefully in the early hours at his cherished home in Blackpool.”
Ill-health gave me 2 choices... to give in or fight. I got on with life JOE ON RECEIVING HIS CANCER DIAGNOSIS