WHEN crooner Tom Critchley's wife Eileen died, the music went out of his life.

The heartbroken 55-years-old father-of-two was so devastated by her loss he stopped singing.

After six months in mourning the former Tyldesley compere decided to surprise his family by recording a CD which has become a fund-raising hit for Christies.

Tom, of Burnside Close, has already sold 350 copies of the disc and raised £1,750 for the cancer hospital.

The Manchester United Scout said: "Eileen was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last May and died just four weeks later, two days after her 54th birthday and after 34 years marriage.

"I sing karaoke in my local pub, the Canal Duke, and regulars suggested I should make a CD. Initially I released 10 copies to surprise our children, Julie and Neil, and close relatives at Christmas.

"Word got out and now they're selling well. Even Sir Alex Ferguson has bought one and copies have been sent as far afield as Ireland, America and NewZealand."

Tom, a semi-professional singer and compere in local clubs, including Abbey Street and Eastleigh Labour clubs in Leigh, gave up the circuit five years ago to spend more time with his wife.

Regular work

He said: "I never made much real money out of music, but I had regular work. I started in a band at 17.'

The collection includes songs by Whitney Houston, Matt Munro, Neil Diamond and Lionel Ritchie's "Three Times A Lady" which was played at Eileen's funeral.

It was recorded in a friend's studio using backing tracks, but now his family have decided to pay for him to spend four days in a professional studio later this year, and he intends to release a single.

He said: "I have no wish to be a pop star. The disc was really hard to do, but I am delighted that something positive has come out of a tragedy. I am still finding it tough to cope without Eileen."

Readers can buy a copy of the CD by ringing Tom on 01942 877289 or 07977 223322.