Joe Longthorne

Joseph Patrick Longthorne MBE (born 31 May 1955, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire) is an English singer and impersonator of Romani ethnicity.

Longthorne was born into a show business family, his parents both being travelling show people. He is from Hessle Road, Hull, known for its fishing community, thus considers himself as a "Hessle Roader." He attended Villa Place Primary School and Sydney Smith High School.

When he was six, he came first in a talent show and his prize was a toy motor car. At fourteen he landed a part in Yorkshire Television's series Junior Showtime, and remained with the show for over two years. He then turned professional and earned a living in Northern working men's clubs.

It was through the London Weekend Television series Search For a Star in 1981 that Longthorne was first launched onto the British televiewing public as a singer and impressionist, and his success on the show led to appearances at the London Palladium and a month-long season at London's Talk of the Town.

The following year Longthorne received the Variety Club's award for most promising artiste. He made a further breakthrough on British television in 1987, starring in Live from the Palladium and Des O'Connor Tonight. Longthorne also released three platinum albums for Telstar, The Joe Longthorne Songbook, Especially For You and The Joe Longthorne Christmas Album.

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