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Here's
some information about the singer who shot to fame on the UK TV talent show,
Opportunity Knocks. Eric Ellison, a grand character with a terrific sense of humour,
still performs as 'Mr X', and lives near Liverpool. He drives to venues throughout
the country, and tells me he would gladly sing at charity shows for old soldiers (of which
he's one).
Recently Eric sent me a tape of a live performance in Benidorm, and his stage show is full
of lovely music and gags - a great entertainer!
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 youg people. After some
concern about how to handle the boisterous crowd, he 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"

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