Tommy Steeles himself for role

To millions of British people of a certain era, Tommy Steele will always be remembered as the man who changed the face of music forever by bringing rock 'n' roll to these shores.

Now, 50 years later, the man who spent decades entertaining the world as a showbiz star insists he has no intentions of slowing down with his 71st birthday just two months away.

And why should he - performing on stage is what the Londoner does best, and next week he is set to thrill crowds at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre by starring in Doctor Dolittle.

It will be the second time Tommy has been to the Black Country, after he first came to Wolverhampton three years ago to take part in Scrooge."The first time I was in Wolverhampton, Wolves were in the Premiership," he said. "It's an absolutely beautiful place and you guys are very lucky to be there.

"There's so many green parts and countryside around the Black Country, I remember it well. This show will be the fruition of two years of planning so we're really excited about it.

"It's going to be a magical experience both for me and the crowds, and I hope people will enjoy it.

"I'm 71 in December but I feel great, so I thought why not? I have no intentions of slowing down at all. I'd actually been asking people over here and in the USA to take part in a family show, and as it happens this had come along just at the right time."

The one-time merchant seaman was discovered while playing his guitar in a London coffee bar, and as frontman for the band The Steelmen, would pick known US songs, record his own version, and release it over here.

After developing into a solo singer, he turned to acting and made a success of himself in the West End, and in hit Hollywood films such as Half A Sixpence.

The whirlwind life that came with being famous is something he is keen not to give up - although he admitted fame was not the reason he entered showbiz. "When I was a kid I didn't even think about being famous," he said. "I was a 19-year old kid who liked country music, and on a trip to the US, while I was a sailor, I saw Buddy Holly play for the first time, and thought it was the most amazing sound.

"It blew my mind away and I started to play it in a coffee bar over here. Someone put me in touch with an agent, and that was how it all started - I had no vision for fame at all."

Now he's getting set for the Wolverhampton stage. "We've got 14 trucks of equipment coming over to Wolverhampton on Sunday, starting from 1am, which shows how big this show is. We've put a lot into it. I'll be nervous on Sunday, but I feel wonderful."

Doctor Dolittle runs at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Monday to October 20. Book on 01902 429212.

By Tom Edwards