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Karaoke kings!

20/11/2001

KARAOKE king Chris Statham is dedicating a night of songs to the other half of his popular musical duo who died of cancer last month.

Fellow singer Stuart Dutton lost his battle with the disease that he had been fighting since 1999, leaving Chris devastated.

The pair have been putting on a show together for over 12 years and are well known in the clubs and bars of Stockport.

Chris, 52, from Bank Road, Bredbury, said: "We met while going to other karaoke nights and it was something we had in common.

"Then we got our own gear in 1992 and started doing the nights ourselves. We specialised in quality singing and concentrated on having good equipment. It wasn't just a messing about type show."

Stuart's cancer was first diagnosed after he developed a tumour behind his eye, which he eventually had to have removed, and then secondary cancer of the liver.

He was one month into his course of chemotherapy when he died.

Chris is going solo for the time being but finding it difficult to carry on.

He said: "He was the one of us that had the really good voice. We blended well together, but he was the best singer."

Chris and Stuart, who was 46 when he died, met hundreds of performers over the years and Chris is hoping to get as many as possible to come and sing a song in tribute to Stuart.

The special night will be held at The Crown in Hawk Green, Marple where the duo became a weekly favourite for the last nine years.

All the money raised will go to Cancer Research and Chris will be singing some of his friend's favourite tunes.

He said: "We'll do the songs that Steve was well known to do, maybe 'Just a Gigolo' by Dave Lee Roth or 'Unchain my Heart' by Joe Cocker."

Stuart lived in Hadfield where his family own a flower shop currently run by his mum, Sylvia.

Chris, a former builder, says: "It will be hard without Stuart. It is a difficult time at the moment. We're still at The Crown every week. There's another lad who's been helping us since Stuart got ill.

"It was Stuart's wish that we continue doing it."

The tribute and celebration night in memory of Stuart will be held on Saturday, November 24 starting at 8.30pm.