Opportunity Knocks star and singer dies aged 84 after short illness as family pay tribute
A "SUPERWOMAN" singer and TV star has sadly died - as tributes roll in.
Anne Gordon, 84, from Cleethorpes, has died after a short illness.
2
2
She achieved success after starring in "Opportunity Knocks" with Hughie Green.
Anne also starred alongside comedian Les Dawson and singer Vince Hill on TV.
In a tribute to the star, her daughter Joanne said: "She was very family-oriented. They were her world."
She added: "She also had a very interesting and full life."
Her other daughter, Liz, said: "She always put us first. She loved us all. She did everything she could to help. She was a superwoman and full of love. She was always called "G.G." by the family."
Anne was born at her mother's pub, the former Marquis of Granby in Binbrook.
Her mother, Irene Trevor would entertain the local RAF airmen with singing and piano-playing, inspiring Anne to start a singing career.
After going to dance school, she went on to perform "If I Were A Bell" from Guys and Dolls on Opportunity Knocks, coming second on the show at age 24.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Singer, 11, launches Busk Stop for musicians to perform in shopping centre
A young singer has launched Glasgow's first 'Busk Stop' inside a shopping centre in an effort to provide performers with a dedicated spot indoors. It was launched by 11-year-old Rachel Ronnie at Buchanan Galleries in the city centre, following requests from other buskers wanting to perform in Glasgow. It gives artists a designated spot to use in a place that is safe and serves as a focal point due to the high footfall in the shopping centre. Following Rachel's performance on Monday, the Busk Stop will be available for performers to use over the summer and beyond. Performances are to take place on a rotating schedule, offering shoppers a wide range of artists. Kathy Murdoch, centre director at Buchanan Galleries, said: 'It's exciting to introduce a dedicated, free-to-use busking spot specially designed for young performers in Glasgow. 'This new space, in front of our iconic flower wall, provides a fantastic platform for emerging local singers to share their talent with the public, offering them the chance to perform in a safe and supportive environment where they can gain valuable experience and confidence. 'As well as help nurture the next generation of musical talent in our community, it also enhances the atmosphere for everyone who visits Buchanan Galleries, adding a lively and authentic musical experience for our guests. 'We were honoured to officially launch our 'Busk Stop' with an incredible performance by Rachel Ronnie, who set the tone perfectly for what we hope will be many inspiring moments to come.' Rachel's mother Karen Blackwood said: 'Rachel's singing career started as a toddler. She could sing before she could talk and being brought up in a musical household she's thrived through the years. 'Busking since the age of five, she's found her calling in life. 'Singing is all she ever dreams about and one day she hopes she can entertain folk for a career. 'Rachel was thrilled to be asked to open the 'Busk Stop' at Buchanan Galleries since Glasgow is her busking home. The people of Glasgow really do make Glasgow the place to busk.'
The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Bob Vylan claim they are being ‘targeted' for speaking up about Palestine
Punk rap duo Bob Vylan have said they are being 'targeted for speaking up' after police began an investigation into comments made during their set at the Glastonbury Festival. They were criticised after leading chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during a livestreamed performance at the Somerset music festival on Saturday afternoon. The BBC apologised after the set at the West Holts Stage was livestreamed, saying on Monday describing the chants were 'antisemitic sentiments' that were 'unacceptable'. Bobby Vylan, one half of the British duo, also led his audience in chants that included 'Free, free Palestine'. Posting a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, captioned 'Silence is not an option', the group said: 'Today, a good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace. 'Last week it was a Palestine pressure group. The week before that it was another band. 'We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. 'We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use 'unnecessary lethal force' against innocent civilians waiting for aid. 'A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza.' The statement added: 'We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. 'We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction. 'The Government doesn't want us to ask why they remain silent in the face of this atrocity? To ask why they aren't doing more to stop the killing? To feed the starving? 'The more time they talk about Bob Vylan the less time they spend answering for their criminal inaction. 'We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first, we will not be the last, and if you care for the sanctity of human life and freedom of speech, we urge you to speak up too.' Bobby Vylan is the stage name of Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports, while his bandmate drummer uses the alias Bobbie Vylan. The group was formed in Ipswich in 2017, and are known for addressing political issues in their albums including racism, masculinity and class. On Monday, Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into the performance after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation.
Sky News
32 minutes ago
- Sky News
Cult leader Chris Brain abused position to sexually assault 'staggering number of women', court hears
The leader of a cult-like evangelical church group abused his position to sexually assault a "staggering number of women from his congregation," a court has heard. Chris Brain, 68, was the head of the "very well-known" and "vibrant" Nine O'Clock Service (NOS) in Sheffield in the 1980s and 1990s, with services featuring a live band aimed at younger people, a jury was told. Prosecutor Tim Clark KC told Inner London Crown Court the group presented itself as a "progressive force for good" involved with the local community and in environmental concerns. But he added: "In truth NOS became a closed and controlled group which the defendant dominated and abused his position first as the leader and then as an ordained priest to sexually assault a staggering number of women from his congregation." Former priest Brain, from Wilmslow, in Cheshire, is standing trial accused of committing sexual offences against 13 women. He denies one count of rape and 36 counts of indecent assault between 1981 and 1995. The court heard Brain, who had led a Christian rock band called Present Tense, became the leader of NOS, named because its services were held at 9pm on Sundays. The prosecutor said it was a "highly disciplined and professional set up", with new members vetted and the congregation organised into "Discipleship Groups". He said the group "became a cult" with members encouraged to separate themselves from their family and friends and becoming "terrified" of being excluded. Some contributed large sums of money, with members giving up their inheritances or their homes, while others were described as acting like they were in love with Brain, the court heard. A "homebase" team of "attractive women", wearing lingerie or other revealing clothing, known as "the Lycra Lovelies" or "the Lycra Nuns", was set up to look after Brain, his wife and his daughter at their home, the jury was told. Mr Clark said when Brain's ordination was "fast tracked" in 1991 there were "signs of grandiose self-regard", with large sums of money spent finding the robes worn by actor Robert De Niro in the movie "The Mission" for him to wear at the ceremony. Brain resigned from holy orders in 1995 when allegations about NOS led to "enormous media interest", the court heard. Mr Clark said that when Brain was confronted and told it was believed he had abused up to 40 women, he replied: "I thought it was more." Prosecutors say the women on the 37-count indictment did not consent to sexual activity, with any capacity they had to consent removed by the "cult-like domineering nature" of Brain's control over them. "He was the central figure in a cult, he decided the rules, he designed the punishments. The defendant knew, as perhaps no one else in NOS knew, that these women feared ostracization more than anything," said Mr Clark. The court heard Brain accepts he engaged in sexual activity with some of the complainants, but it was with the women's consent, and told police that NOS was not a cult. Mr Clark said: "In short, the defence case appears to be, to quote from The Life Of Brian, Brian Cohen's mother, 'He's not the Messiah, he's just a very naughty boy'. "The Crown state it was more than that, the defendant created the atmosphere that allowed him to abuse a series of women." Wearing a short sleeved purple shirt and glasses, Brain sat in the dock looking at documents as the prosecutor opened the case. Judge Freya Newbury earlier warned the jury of nine men and three women some of the evidence may "upset or perhaps even revolt you or touch a nerve". She added: "Any emotion you feel really needs to be put to one side while you focus on your crucial work as a jury." The trial, which is expected to last around eight weeks, continues.
