A PENSIONER is well and truly hoping to stick the knife into younger competitors when he hits the stage tonight in a new singing contest. Entrants are now limbering up for first heat of the Hartlepool Mail s Stars In Their Eyes competition.
Since the launch of the contest last week, karaoke kings and queens have queued up to add their names to tonight s line up.
Among the budding talents on show tonight will be Sam Robertson, 76, whose love of singing and music is well-known in the town.
The Seaton Carew pensioner can often be heard and seen singing both in karaoke contests or just in the street.
I have always sung since I was young. I am always singing wherever I am and love music. In fact I don t have a television, I just listen to the radio, said sprightly Sam, who at the age of 68 took third place in a singing contest in the town s 42nd Street nightspot.
Tonight, Sam Robertson will take to the stage as American 1960s star Bobby Darin (left) to sing all time classic Mack the Knife.
Sam, along with his fellow entrants, will be hoping to secure a place in the grand final, which will be held at the Headland s Borough Hall on Friday, August 11.
Six heats will be held at The Sports Bar in the town s Park Road every Tuesday evening at 8pm until August 1.
I am not bothered if I win, I just love singing. Frank Sinatra is my favourite, but I decided to do Mack the Knife because people always request that one when I sing, said Sam, who is a widower with one son.
The once semi-professional footballer is not opposed to modern songs and says like any music through the decades that some is bad and some is good.
No more entries will be accepted for tonight s show and further details about how to enter future heats will appear in your Mail later this week.
Information about the events which the Mail is running in association with D&S Karaokes and Ords Printers and Stationers is also available by telephoning promotions executive David Roberts on (01429) 274441, extension 4317.