A THEATRICAL singer is returning to his home town to perform in a concert in aid of a cause close to his heart.

Principal tenor Joe Shovelton, from Leigh, is playing at a concert at St Joseph’s Hall on Chapel Street at 4pm on Sunday, December 9.

Funds from the event will be donated to Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

Former St Mary’s Catholic High School pupil Joe, who was the youngest of eight children growing up, has performed for the Queen at Frogmore House and Gardens in Windsor.

Joe, 50, said: “Who would not love doing what they enjoy? I am very fortunate and I feel I have been very lucky in my career.

“One of the reasons why I am coming back for this concert is that I was brought up in Leigh and I am proud of that.

“I have not been here for six years but there is always a good feeling when I play there.

“A lot of the people who go know my face or know me by name as well.”

Joe’s first performance on stage was in a Dorothy Kane pantomime at St Joseph’s Hall when he was seven.

He left Leigh at the age of 18 to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

As well as singing in front of the Monarch, Joe has been on stage in front of thousands at Twickenham Stadium and a Proms event at the Royal Albert Hall.

In the last 10 years he has performed principal roles with Opera North at concerts across the UK and Europe.

Joe’s dad, who had the same first name, was also a well known figure in the community.

He set up the Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT) charity for Manchester in the 1970s and took part in many other causes in the community.

Joe added: “I have done a lot of work for charities before but I wanted to do an event for Wigan And Leigh Hospice which I know has affected the lives of my friends’ families.”

The concert at St Joseph’s will include afternoon tea, sandwiches, cakes and refreshments.

Tickets are priced at £15 and can be purchased at the Wigan and Leigh Hospice shop on Bradshawgate.