Face of Nation : Best known as a singer and impressionist, he regularly appeared on TV shows and toured overseas. Les Dennis tweeted he was “a supreme talent and a nice man”. Cold Feet actor John Thomson said he was a “great entertainer”.
A statement on the Hull-born performer’s website said he died in the arms of his husband Jamie. It said: “Joe died in his bedroom, laying in the arms of his devoted husband of 21 years Jamie, with his rosary beads clutched tight to his chest. He leaves behind sister Ann and brother John.”
Born to a travelling background, Longthorne started in the entertainment business at an early age after winning a local talent contest, and latterly lived in Blackpool. He regularly appeared on the ITV series “Junior Showtime” from 1969 until the age of 16. After working the club circuit, he received his big break on the ITV series Search For A Star in 1981.
He regularly featured on other TV programmes in the 1980s, including the Les Dennis Laughter Show and the Royal Variety Performance, and also appeared in theatre in the US and at the Sydney Opera House. However, at the peak of his career in 1989 he was diagnosed with the blood cancer lymphoma.
