Joseph Patrick Longthorne MBE is an English singer of Romani ethnicity, who has performed in several Royal Variety Performances. Longthorne was born into a show business family; he has a son named Ricky who was named after an early friend and manager of Joes's, Ricky Hamilton. His parents were both travelling show people. Joe is from a very famous street in Hull, Hessle Road, known for its fishing community. Joe considers himself as a "Hessle Roader", local term in Hull. 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. 

May 31st, 1955 in Kingston upon Hull  /  Died:   Aug 3rd, 2019