Home
Erik, a grand character with a terrific sense of humour,  sadly passed away November 10 2008 aged 90. He had a really wonderful voice which could easily be mistaken for Josef's, and thoroughly enjoyed life.   He leaves behind a widow, Carol, a son and grandchildren. Erik and Carol were married for 55 years, and were once a famous double act. She was 12 years his junior, and after the birth of their son, she stepped out of the spotlight to concentrate on the family.   Erik continued on the stage, and this London-born entertainer from Norwegian stock hit
the headlines in the late 50s.   He was performing in Manchester when he received a visit from the Police, who believed he was actually Josef Locke. Safely across the water in Ireland, Josef would have been a big catch to answer charges of tax avoidance.   But by showing the boys in blue his driving licence and personal items, Erik was able to clear himself.   The incident made the nationals, and knowing a good thing when he saw it, his agent re-branded him Mr X, and as such he was invited to guest on Hughie Green's Opportunity Knocks TV show.   Before his repertoire changed to make the most of this Josef mystery, Erik had a fine career in musical performance, and his love of Grieg was reflected in the music played at his funeral. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by those he loved, after a wonderful life.
In September 2001 I went to see Eric when he was performing in a terrific variety show at the Floral Hall, Southport. At 82 he put on a wonderful performance with his rich and powerful voice, and delighted the audience. He also told me an anecdote from a few years ago, when he was on the bill in a venue in Bolton, Lancashire, with Bernard Manning. He only had half an electric organ for accompaniment (the pedals wouldn't work), and an audience of young people. After some concern about how to handle the boisterous crowd, this former soldier finally won them over with 'Land of Hope and Glory', and had them waving and cheering like last night of the Proms!
Information gleaned from a newspaper article Hear My Song, as well as introducing a whole new generation to Josef Locke, brings to life the bizarre Mr X - a character who carved a lucrative career out of impersonating Locke in his absence. Now, 30 years on, Mr X - former Christmas tree salesman Erik Ellison - still makes a living recreating Locke's hits. "Now no one will let me be,' he complained when interviewed in his home at the time of the film's release. "I do bit parts in acting, but all they ever want me to do is Jo Locke. Even Mr X gets to be a hero at the end of the movie, which is gratifying for Erik. His occasional agent Paul Brydson said: "It was Hughie Greene's idea when he introduced him on Opportunity Knocks as Mr X, an is-he-or-isn't-he? Jo Locke gimmick. "It's amazing how he's kept it up for so long, He played the South Pier at Blackpool and women mobbed him at the stage door. "They always refuse to believe he isn't Jo Locke, He denies it but they won't have it. "God knows what he signs in their autograph books. "Jo absolutely hates it." When interviewed, Mr X he was in a rush to get to a cabaret date in Spain and had not seen the film. "I'm afraid I have to live with Jo Locke,' he said sadly. "I even had visits from the Inland Revenue and the police at the theatre accusing me of being him. I met him once. "He came to see me at the Queen's Theatre in Blackpool. "He said: "Carry on son. You'll make it one day."" ''And that was it." "I went to Leeds for the first time to perform, and they said: "We've had you here before," Would you believe another Mr X was impersonating me"
Carol & Erik
By SEAN BRYSON TENOR Erik Ellison hummed a few bars of "Goodbye" and donned his midnight - blue tuxedo for his act. But as he left the dressing-room two detectives and an Inland Revenue officer stopped him. And It wasn't until 20 minutes later that the red-faced official trio were convinced that they'd struck a wrong note. For they were certain that 6ft, lin., 16ist. Erik was Josef Locke, the Irish tenor alleged to owe £10,500 to the taxman and for whom a warrant was Issued more than two years ago. The Irishman's double retreated Into the dressing-room at the Theatre Club,' Accrington, as the man from the Revenue office said, politely: — " Good evening, Mr. McLaughlin (Locke's real name). You remember me (from Blackpool. It's been a long time" " But my name's Lieson." stammered the 37-year-old London-born Erik. "An, well, now you are better known as.. Josef Locke," said one of the plain-clothes] men. The resemblance was striking. Even down to the little clipped moustache. But Mr, Lieson's hair is fair, and the voice so English. , "You're mistaken gentlemen," he said lamely as the three men stared at him; Impassively. Out came his driving licence, his visiting cards, and other credentials. Twenty minutes later they mumbled their apologies, and staved on to hear Erik sing. * A C.I.D. spokesman at Accrington said last night: " We acted on a tip and went to the club with a Revenue Officer. We believed Josef Locke was appearing there. But it was a misunderstanding." Mr. Lieson, who is married with a five-year-old son, and lives In Wallasey, Cheshire, said:— . "I was absolutely astonished when the police came in and said I was Mr. Locke. I know I'm a double of him, but this is the first time I have been mistaken for him. And at his riverside hotel in  County Kerry, last night the real-Josef Locke chuckled over the police error, and said : " I know this man well—he is my absolute double." Then he added : " I hope he pays my tax."
...and the piece which actually started the whole thing off... William Hickey THRILLED Tories thought they were witnessing the comeback of Irish tenor and 'fifties superstar Josef Locke (remember?) Even entrepreneur Eric Morley who was in the audience, must have been impressed by the tenor treating DuIwich Conservatives to classics such as " Goodbye". and the Gondolier Song." But this was not Locke. Nor was it a comeback - it was the latest performance of locke-alike Eric Ellison, who has often been mistaken for this forgotten figure. Thought you'd like to know.
Meet Erik Ellison, the singer who shot to fame on the UK TV talent show, Opportunity Knocks.
Sing a song of taxes… but the 'good- bye' man was NOT Josef Locke
Wonderful performance
‘Jo absolutely hates it’
Mr.X sings at a Southport show
Home
Erik, a grand character with a terrific sense of humour,  sadly passed away November 10 2008 aged 90. He had a really wonderful voice which could easily be mistaken for Josef's, and thoroughly enjoyed life.   He leaves behind a widow, Carol, a son and grandchildren. Erik and Carol were married for 55 years, and were once a famous double act. She was 12 years his junior, and after the birth of their son, she stepped out of the spotlight to concentrate on the family.   Erik continued on the stage, and this London-born entertainer from Norwegian stock hit the headlines in the late 50s.   He was performing in Manchester when he received a visit from the Police, who believed he was actually Josef Locke. Safely across the water in Ireland, Josef would have been a big catch to answer charges of tax avoidance.   But by showing the boys in blue his driving licence and personal items, Erik was able to clear himself.   The incident made the nationals, and knowing a good thing when he saw it, his agent re- branded him Mr X, and as such he was invited to guest on Hughie Green's Opportunity Knocks TV show.   Before his repertoire changed to make the most of this Josef mystery, Erik had a fine career in musical performance, and his love of Grieg was reflected in the music played at his funeral. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by those he loved, after a wonderful life.
In September 2001 I went to see Eric when he was performing in a terrific variety show at the Floral Hall, Southport. At 82 he put on a wonderful performance with his rich and powerful voice, and delighted the audience. He also told me an anecdote from a few years ago, when he was on the bill in a venue in Bolton, Lancashire, with Bernard Manning. He only had half an electric organ for accompaniment (the pedals wouldn't work), and an audience of young people. After some concern about how to handle the boisterous crowd, this former soldier finally won them over with 'Land of Hope and Glory', and had them waving and cheering like last night of the Proms!
Information gleaned from a newspaper article Hear My Song, as well as introducing a whole new generation to Josef Locke, brings to life the bizarre Mr X - a character who carved a lucrative career out of impersonating Locke in his absence. Now, 30 years on, Mr X - former Christmas tree salesman Erik Ellison - still makes a living recreating Locke's hits. "Now no one will let me be,' he complained when interviewed in his home at the time of the film's release. "I do bit parts in acting, but all they ever want me to do is Jo Locke. Even Mr X gets to be a hero at the end of the movie, which is gratifying for Erik. His occasional agent Paul Brydson said: "It was Hughie Greene's idea when he introduced him on Opportunity Knocks as Mr X, an is-he-or-isn't-he? Jo Locke gimmick. "It's amazing how he's kept it up for so long, He played the South Pier at Blackpool and women mobbed him at the stage door. "They always refuse to believe he isn't Jo Locke, He denies it but they won't have it. "God knows what he signs in their autograph books. "Jo absolutely hates it." When interviewed, Mr X he was in a rush to get to a cabaret date in Spain and had not seen the film. "I'm afraid I have to live with Jo Locke,' he said sadly. "I even had visits from the Inland Revenue and the police at the theatre accusing me of being him. I met him once. "He came to see me at the Queen's Theatre in Blackpool. "He said: "Carry on son. You'll make it one day."" ''And that was it." "I went to Leeds for the first time to perform, and they said: "We've had you here before," Would you believe another Mr X was impersonating me"
By SEAN BRYSON TENOR Erik Ellison hummed a few bars of "Goodbye" and donned his midnight - blue tuxedo for his act. But as he left the dressing-room two detectives and an Inland Revenue officer stopped him. And It wasn't until 20 minutes later that the red-faced official trio were convinced that they'd struck a wrong note. For they were certain that 6ft, lin., 16ist. Erik was Josef Locke, the Irish tenor alleged to owe £10,500 to the taxman and for whom a warrant was Issued more than two years ago. The Irishman's double retreated Into the dressing-room at the Theatre Club,' Accrington, as the man from the Revenue office said, politely: — " Good evening, Mr. McLaughlin (Locke's real name). You remember me (from Blackpool. It's been a long time" " But my name's Lieson." stammered the 37-year-old London-born Erik. "An, well, now you are better known as.. Josef Locke," said one of the plain-clothes] men. The resemblance was striking. Even down to the little clipped moustache. But Mr, Lieson's hair is fair, and the voice so English. , "You're mistaken gentlemen," he said lamely as the three men stared at him; Impassively. Out came his driving licence, his visiting cards, and other credentials. Twenty minutes later they mumbled their apologies, and staved on to hear Erik sing. * A C.I.D. spokesman at Accrington said last night: " We acted on a tip and went to the club with a Revenue Officer. We believed Josef Locke was appearing there. But it was a misunderstanding." Mr. Lieson, who is married with a five-year-old son, and lives In Wallasey, Cheshire, said:— . "I was absolutely astonished when the police came in and said I was Mr. Locke. I know I'm a double of him, but this is the first time I have been mistaken for him. And at his riverside hotel in  County Kerry, last night the real-Josef Locke chuckled over the police error, and said : " I know this man well—he is my absolute double." Then he added : " I hope he pays my tax."
...and the piece which actually started the whole thing off... William Hickey THRILLED Tories thought they were witnessing the comeback of Irish tenor and 'fifties superstar Josef Locke (remember?) Even entrepreneur Eric Morley who was in the audience, must have been impressed by the tenor treating DuIwich Conservatives to classics such as " Goodbye". and the Gondolier Song." But this was not Locke. Nor was it a comeback - it was the latest performance of locke-alike Eric Ellison, who has often been mistaken for this forgotten figure. Thought you'd like to know.
Sing a song of taxes… but the 'good-bye' man was NOT Josef Locke
Wonderful performance
‘Jo absolutely hates it’
Meet Erik Ellison, better known as ‘Mr. X’
Carol & Erik
Mr.X sings at a Southport show