Stars help bid for city statue to honour singer Whitfield

The David Whitfield International Appreciation Society has raised 28,000 towards a bronze statue of the star, destined for the garden outside Hull New Theatre, where he performed during the 1960s.

The life-size statue was originally earmarked for a site off Freetown Way, but the society and his widow, Sheila, believe the New Theatre is a more fitting place.

Sculptor Graham Ibbetson, who created the Eric Morecambe figure at Morecambe Bay, will be making the 40,000 sculpture and a friend, Jim Cadman, has offered to raise the rest of the money needed with two shows, with Joe Longthorne topping the bill – one to be held in Hull and the other at the Blackpool Opera House.

Bill Wilkins, from the David Whitfield International Appreciation Society, said: "I think it is great. It is time someone recognised David in Hull.

"Jim Cadman is putting on two shows with Joe Longthorne topping the bill along with a host of stars.

"At the one in Blackpool they'll be having cushions with David's name on which people can take home as mementoes."

Chairman David Fewlass said they were hopeful that the council would give planning permission for the statue.

He added: "I think anything that recognises his tremendous talent has to be good."

Whitfield, who had worldwide success with songs such as Cara Mia and Answer Me, was the first British artist to sell over a million copies of a song in America.

Born on February 2, 1926, in Hull, his singing career began with the local St Peter's Church choir when he was just nine or 10 years old.

During 50 years since topping the charts, he is still one of only six artists to have spent 10 or more consecutive weeks at the top of the UK singles chart. He died at the end of a tour in Australia aged 52.

He performed at the New Theatre in the musical Rose Marie in 1960 and The Desert Song in 1962.

Since his death in 1980, loyal fans in Yorkshire have had a rose and a star named after him.

The show at Hull New Theatre will be on February 26.