Joe Longthorne: Blue plaque honours 'great ambassador' for Hull

Joe Longthorne, who died in 2019, worked the club circuit and later found TV fame

A blue plaque honouring Hull entertainer Joe Longthorne has been unveiled in his home city.

Best known as a singer and impressionist, Longthorne regularly appeared on TV shows and performed at illustrious venues including the Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House.

The 64-year-old, who later lived in Blackpool, died from leukaemia in 2019.

The plaque, unveiled in Walker Street on Monday, describes him as a "great ambassador of Hull".

After working the club circuit, Longthorne received his big break on the ITV series Search For A Star in 1981.

His career spanned five decades and he featured on shows including The Royal Variety Performance and The Les Dennis Laughter Show.

He was also awarded an MBE for charitable services and toured overseas.

The blue plaque on Walker Street is close to where the entertainer grew up

Speaking at the unveiling, Ann White, his sister, said: "My brother was a Hull boy, he was bred and born in Hull and he certainly fully deserves this plaque.

"I'm overwhelmed actually - at the end of the day, my brother was a man in a million."

The blue plaque is the latest tribute to the performer, with a giant mural by artist Andy Pea unveiled on Hessle Road in November 2022.

A special procession was held on the street ahead of his funeral service in Blackpool, with hundreds of mourners gathering to pay their respects.