Black Country stars gather for Midlands Showbiz Reunion in Wolverhampton - in pictures
Stars of the Black Country graced the red carpet at Molineux for a huge showbiz reunion.
While Wolves battled Newcastle on their pre-season tour in China, familiar faces were taking over the old gold and black terraces for The Midlands Showbiz Reunion.
The first ever event of its time was held at Molineux yesterday(WEDS) and saw former footballers, comedians and DJs from across the Black Country and wider West Midlands meet in Wolverhampton.
The exclusive, invite-only event saw Bev Bevan joined by former footballers Willie Carr and Mel Eves, among others.
A host of DJs were among the hundreds in attendance, including Mike Holliss and Andy Archer. DJ Barry Cary, also known as Barmy Barry, organised the event after being reunited with many of the old stars at Ian ‘Sludge’ Lees’ funeral.
The 74-year-old Cannock comedian died at New Cross Hospital in July last year, just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.
The old-school comedian kept audiences laughing for six decades and was a pioneer in his craft.
All the old stars attended his funeral at St Mary’s Church in Cannock in August last year to pay tribute, with a wake held at Molineux’s WV1 Suite. With his death being the catalyst for this reunion event, it was held in the same suite at Molineux as all of the old stars came together once more.
Barry said: “I came down to the funeral and this same room and I thought, how wonderful would it be to get everyone down together for one night.
“It’s been a lot of work organising it and to get everyone down.
“It’s been fantastic, Sludge was a massive Wolves fan, so am I, and he’d have loved it.
“He was a great comedian and well loved, his funeral had a great turnout and it was a great send-off, he would have loved to be here.
“I’ve been in the business a long time and have a lot of contacts, so it’s been a riot.
“It’s great to see everyone coming together, everyone has been so excited, for everyone to be under one roof together is just what we wanted.
“More than 200 people came down tonight and it’s been great - we’re not sure about making it an annual thing, it depends.
“I’m 77, I won’t live forever, so we’ll have to think about whether to do it annually, but it may be a good idea to do it again.”
