28.11.04 THE SHOW GOES ON - JOE TURNS THE LIGHTS ON AT CLEVELEY'S IN BLACKPOOL Top Blackpool entertainer Joe Longthorne is back on song - and winning his battle against cancer. The 49-year-old singer had to bow out of headlining this year's Opera House summer show early, under doctor's orders. But now they've given him the all-clear to get back on stage. Joe revealed his miraculous reaction to intensive cancer teatment as he switched on Cleveley's Christmas lights last night. The switch on star said that despite undergoing a harsh programme of therapy to fight a type of lymph cancer, he has not stopped and recently set up a cancer charity supporting the Macmillan appeal. Speaking inside the Sugar Sugar bar and restaurant on Bispham Road, Cleveleys, he said "It's all been going really well, it couldn't be going any better. My blood count's really high at the moment and I've got two more treatments before they hold back for a while to see if the cancer has gone into remission. "On the bone marrow count they have found seven matches to my type and now they are doing further tests to find out if one is an exact match. "Out of the seven they think one of them will be exact. I was going to Blackpool Victoria Hospital three times a week for treatment but now it's down to once a week as a day patient. "I've made loads of friends at the hospital and really it's like we're all in an exclusive club. Dr Kelsey and his team are absolutely tremendous, not just for me but for everyone who goes to that hospital and sees them." Joe was putting on a brave face as he talked about the fierce programme of drugs and chemotherapy that had become an almost daily occurrence in his life over the past 12 months. He said: "The chemotherapy I can stand but it's the steroids that knock me about the most. I just feel sorry for these young children you hear about with leukaemia. You can't even explain to them why it hurts so much and that the pain is actually making them better." Joe puts much of his inner strength to face his treatment down to the support of his friends, family and fans. He said: "The fans have been tremendous support to me since the start of my illness and I have had so many cards and letters of support the whole time. And it's not just the fans, it's everybody. Just walking up the back stairs of the bar now I've been given flowers and chocolates, it's a little bit overwhelming." The support for Joe from his colleagues in the music business has been non-stop with big names like Robbie Williams phoning to ask how he is getting on. He said: Engelbert Humperdinck was great. I had tickets to see his show with my sister who's a massive fan. On the night I wasn't feeling well and didn't feel up to it. The next day he called me and invited me to his hotel, so we went over and had fish and chips with him." And as for getting back on the boards, Joe is itching to return for the fans who have supported him throughout his illness. He said: "I'm doing a fund-raising show in Salford at a variety club next week. I started playing there when I was 16 and I'm 49 now so it's sort of like I grew up there. Then I am doing another 6 or 7 shows across the country. As for Blackpool, there is a lot of talk going on at the moment about shows next year and so we'll have to wait and see what happens." Joe and a group of famous Flyde friends, including hotel owner Pat Mancini, comedian Joey Blower and Tracy Dawson, recently set up the Joe Longthorne Appeal for Cancer Research. The group aims to raise £1000 a week for cancer charities. Article used with kind permission from the Blackpool Gazette. By Paul Fielding. back to top site design_navajo media