Entertainer Joe Longthorne dies ‘in his husband’s arms, clutching rosary’
Joe Longthorne with his husband James Moran (Facebook)
Bisexual singer and impressionist Joe Longthorne has died aged 64.
Tributes were paid to the star, who came to prominence through 1981 TV series Search for A Star, before presenting his own variety show, The Joe Longthorne Show.
He released albums spanning decades, with his most recent release in 2013.
Joe Longthorne dies clutching rosary in his husband’s arms
A statement on his official website said: “It is with the deepest sadness that we have to announce that the nation’s beloved entertainer Joe Longthorne MBE passed away peacefully in the early hours of today [3 August] at his cherished home in Blackpool.
“Joe died in his bedroom, laying in the arms of his devoted husband of 21 years Jamie, with his rosary beads clutched tight to his chest.
“He leaves behind sister Ann and brother John. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Jamie and all the family at this sad time.”
Singer Impressionist Joe Longthorne impersonates Elvis Presley at the Sydney Hilton hotel in. February 13, 1992. (Dean Wilmot/Fairfax/Getty)
He had struggled with cancer throughout his career, including a bout with lymphoma in 1989.
Longthorne met husband James Moran in 1997, and the pair officially married in 2014 after equal marriage became legal in England and Wales.
Moran also served as his manager.
Singer spoke about his bisexuality
The singer addressed his sexuality in his 2015 autobiography Sugar in the Morning, writing: “I realised [early in my career] that I wasn’t just attracted to girls and that I might be bisexual, although that term wasn’t really used back then.
“I’m very comfortable with my bisexuality. Some people who have been around me, but are not family or close friends, have thought they were telling the papers something new when they tried to make money out of me by saying I’m gay.
“While we’re on the subject, my preference sexually has always been a woman and I’ve loved, respected and still love all of the ladies I have ever been with, no matter what might have been printed and said elsewhere.
“Yes, I am bisexual and let me tell you, I still really would know how to love a woman intimately.
“James Moran has been my partner for the past seventeen years and I love him dearly. He has been alongside me through some of the most difficult and trying times, but I very much love the ladies too.”
The singer received an MBE from Prince Charles in 2012 for services to charity.
