LEGENDARY crooner Tony Christie - whose song Is This The Way To Amarillo has been revived by comedian Peter Kay - is set to perform a one-off concert in Burnley in aid of the Clarets.
The singer, whose most popular hit is also an anthem at Turf Moor, will play the charity gig at the Mechanics Theatre in December.
The concert will provide a welcome boost for Burnley FC, which is struggling financially, as well as a springboard for Tony who heads out on tour next year.
Amarillo - originally released in 1971 - is being re-released due to popular demand.
The single, which sold four million copies and topped the Spanish charts for six months, has become a cult song thanks to its appearance on Lancashire comedian Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights and as the theme to his recent tour.
Peter, and Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy co-star Patrick McGuiness, will appear on the video which accompanies the re-release of the song.
Tony was approached by Burnley FC through former Number 10 spin doctor and Clarets fan Alastair Campbell.
And the crooner readily agreed to perform the exclusive gig.
He said: "I was a big football fan in the 1970s and I remember players at Burnley like Paul Fletcher, who was a big mate of mine, and Frank Casper.
"It's sad to see a club of this calibre having to struggle. It really is a crying shame so I am happy to help out.
"I was just starting to wind down and enjoy my golf and now everything has gone berserk again, but I'm looking forward to appearing in Burnley and to the tour next year."
Commercial manager at Burnley FC Anthony Fairclough said: "The song has become a bit of an anthem at Burnley so it made sense for us to hook up with Tony.
"We had the idea a while ago and asked Alastair Campbell to help us. He put us in touch with Tony's agent.
"It's great for the club and for the town to have a big name like Tony appearing."
The gig, on Sunday, December 19, will be compered by local celebrity Jeff Brown and was arranged with the help of the Burnley Mechanics and Initiative Burnley.
For tickets call the Box Office on 01282 664400.
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