THE unknown singer who almost beat Robbie Williams to the Christmas number one is visiting Preston as part of a nation-wide tour.

Gordon Haskell, who releases his new single, There Goes My Heart Again, on April 8, first hit the music scene in the Seventies.

But before Christmas, he was challenged by a friend to try and make a record the old fashioned way -- on a budget of just £200.

The record, How Wonderful You Are, was released through an independent record label, and sent out to radio stations across the country.

Listeners of BBC Radio 2 made the song one of the most requested songs in history, and helped get it to number two in the Christmas music charts.

But Gordon Haskell has been in the music business since the 1960s when he played with cult band The Fleurs De Lys, who had a hit with Hold On.

Then fans will remember Gordon when he was in King Crimson, when he played bass for Cliff Richard, jammed with Jimi Hendrix and played with legendary singer Otis Redding.

In 1972 Gordon released his first album, It Is And It Isn't.

Now Gordon is setting out on a tour of the country, performing hit tracks from his gold-certified album, Harry's Bar, which also went into the charts at number two when it was released in January.

Gordon will be touring with rising star Oliver Darley, best known for his rendition of Rescue Me, for the hit BBC series of the same name.

Gordon and Oliver will be appearing at the Guild Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston, on Monday, May 15. Tickets are £17.50, call 258858, or from a 24 hour credit card hotline, on 0870 400 0688.