Surprise party as Rollers rock up at Clutha

THEY had only just given their first gig in 40 years but the Bay City Rollers were ready for another party yesterday lunchtime – and a surprise one at that.

Only hours after their comeback had drawn to a manic close, Les McKeown, Alan Longmuir, and Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood arrived at Glasgow’s Clutha Bar.

The trio played an intimate, impromptu gig to a 50-strong crowd in aid of children’s charity Spirit Aid.

The scale may have been far smaller than their Barrowland gig but 1970s Rollermania was in full force as the crowd sang, danced and clapped to Shang-A-Lang.

Clutha owner Alan Crossan, 59, said: ‘The whole feeling in the pub changed as soon as they started playing. It’s a brilliant party atmosphere when they’re up there.’

The band members donated three luxury Christmas hampers to Spirit Aid, which supports underprivileged people.

In 2013, a police helicopter crashed into the Clutha, killing a total of ten people.

Singer McKeown, 60, said: ‘We get so much love from our audience we wanted to give something back to them and to those who are less privileged than we are.

‘I followed the tragic story of what happened to the Clutha. It’s a privilege to be here and be welcomed by Alan Crossan.’

Leading Scottish actor and director David Hayman, 49, founder and head of operations at Spirit Aid, said: ‘Everyone was dancing. It was just great, they are legends of the past.

‘For Spirit Aid it’s a big time of year, we bring Christmas to 2,000 children who wouldn’t otherwise get a present.’