By Duncan Eaton

IN the sixties he was rarely away from our TV screens.

Z cars, The Sweeney, Til Death Us Do Part, Treasure Hunt, Celebrity Squares and Curry and Chips were just a few of actor and singer Kenny Lynch’s credits.

He was so much part of the swinging sixties that he toured with The Beatles. And his dressing room became a hiding place for the Fab Four as they played cat and mouse with the world’s media.

Kenny was caught up in the frenzy of Beatlemania as they toured the country and even sat on the coach next to John Lennon.

The Beatles once offered to back Kenny but he already had a support group. But he has the distinction of doing the first cover of a Beatles’ song called Misery which had been intended for sixties songstress Helen Shapiro. But the song lived up to its title and was a flop.

It was one of the few blips in career which spans more than 50 years and the versatile entertainer returns to Eastleigh’s Concorde Club on December 27 as a special guest in the spectacular Rat Pack Christmas Show.

Kenny Lynch, who had hits with Up on the Roof and Stand by Me, said his big break came when singing legend Shirley Bassey stepped into a West End night club and caught him doing his late night big band spot.

She was so impressed that it led to Kenny clinching a recording contract with EMI.

He said: “Up on The Roof got into the top ten and suddenly people were stopping me in the street for autographs.”

The veteran entertainer says the secret of his showbiz survival has been diversity and for that he has to thank fellow actor Harry Fowler who starred with Kenny in the TV hit comedy show The Army Game.

Kenny says: “Harry said ‘you sing great but do not do just one thing or you will not last ten minutes’ I took his advice and the rest his history.”

David Alacey (Lovejoy & Inspector Alleyn), Des Coleman (Lenny - Eastenders & The One Show) and Paul Drakeley (Inside Out -BBC) star as Frank, Sammy and Dean in the original Rat Pack show, now celebrating it’s 17th record breaking year.

Together they amaze audiences with their stunning interpretation of music from the Sinatra, Martin and Davis songbooks in a fabulous show which brings the style and excitement of the Las Vegas heyday to vivid life.

They will be showcasing all the great hits including My Way, Mr Bojangles, New York New York, Amore, Come Fly With Me!

The show also features BBC Musical Director Don Hunt with his orchestra and adding even more glamour and glitz will be the stunning L.A Showgirls.

For more information about The Rat Pack at The Concorde in Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh ring 02380613989 or visit www.theconcordeclub.com