Finding help
Recovering alcoholic Jack, 56, reckons the legendary crooner is a guardian angel who has helped him through his darkest days.
Jack credits Ol’ Blue Eyes with inspiring him to end a lifelong love of booze. Drink ended his first marriage and nearly cost him contact with his kids.
He said: “I was on my uppers and Frank came in and saved me. Alcoholism is a disease that kills. I wanted to die but seeing Frank made me realise I had to fight.”
Jack, a Sinatra tribute act for 37 years, was drinking three bottles of wine a day.
The New York, New York star, who died nearly 19 years ago, wouldd show up before he performed. rmed. Jack said: “Frank nk would suddenly appear ar at my shoulder and tell ell me to get up, get myself dressed, get my bow ow tie.
“WhenWhen I was singing he’d stand there arms folded d and, if I sang my hearteart out, he’d give me a nod in approval.pproval. He became me part of my life, I made him my father ther or older brotherher figure.”
Jack,ck, helped by wifefe of eight years s Maria, finally ly stopped drinking ing four years ago. His first marriage endedd in 2003 and he almost st lost his kids, Yasmin, 17, and Kaspar 18. His fascination with the superstar began in 1978 when he saw his limo arrive at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
He said: “The door opened and he looked right at me with his blazing blue eyes, I’ve never seen eyes that bright before. Then he smiled at me.
“He was everyt everything I wanted to be but wasn wasn’t. He had ALCOHOLISM is an illness twice as common in men than women, yet men are less likely to seek help. When an alcoholic takes a drink it sparks a physical and mental craving that willpower alone cannot stop. Alcoholics Anonymous holds f ree meetings and has helped thousands to quit drink. For help contact alcoholics.anonymous.org.uk or call 0800 9177 650. confidence and style and swagger and I knew then I wanted to sing just like him.”
Jack has enjoyed some success himself and even shared a beer with the late George Michael, who he described as “very selfeffacing man and very good company.”
He said: “One of the reasons I started drinking was because I was naturally quiet and a little shy and wanted to fit in.
“Alcohol helped me relax but it took over my life. It almost cost me everything.”
Jack, who was helped with a recovery programme, is at the top of his game and said My Way is the most popular tune.
He reckons Sinatra would turn in his grave after Donald Trump chose it for his inauguration.
Jack is currently working on The Sinatra Files, a one-man play set in the present day about Frank, which he hopes to bring to the West End.
It sees the crooner facing police charges concerning his “earthy conduct”. The verdict will dictate whether he goes to heaven or the other place.
For more information go to jackvalentine.co.uk.