Cancer-battling star’s charity work marked

HULL singer and charity fundraiser Joe Longthorne said becoming an MBE was “an unexpected honour”.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Jun 2012, 07:00 BST

Longthorne, right, who has recovered from leukaemia and a bone marrow transplant, added: “I am extremely glad that I’m still here to receive it.”

The 57-year-old from Hull, who has performed in several Royal Variety Performances, has been given the award for charity work that has seen him raise money for organisations including the Variety Club of Great Britain, Cancer Research UK and the Development of Children and Women Centre in Nepal.

Longthorne, who lives in Blackpool, said: “To say I am delighted would be an understatement.

“It’s all the more dear to me as it comes in this very special Diamond Jubilee year.”

He added: “It’s a great honour. The serious part of it is that it will help me raise more money for charity. I’m over the moon.”