Bowing out with a tear; Hot Chocolate frontman Errol Brown is saying farewell to his fans with a show on Tyneside next week. Entertainment Editor GORDON BARR catches up with him.

Byline: GORDON BARR 

HE'S long been known as one of the coolest blokes in pop.

But when Errol Brown leaves the stage of The Sage Gateshead next week, he will be emotional - and he doesn't care who knows.

After four decades in the music business, the former Hot Chocolate singer is saying farewell to performing.

"When I say goodnight at every show on the tour I will have a tear in my eye," he tells me from his home in the Bahamas.

"This gave me so much in my life. It was a wonderful journey for me. I'm saying farewell because it is time.

"I'm 60. I'm not getting any younger and I just feel the pressure of the road and hotels is fine up to a certain age.

"I'm getting to a stage where life is comfortable and I like the pressure-free thing.

"Sometimes I think artists go on too long. They go round in circles. That said, I am excited as I haven't done it for three years. It is a farewell and it has a vibe to it I like.

"I shall reminisce with all my fans."

Errol, who received an MBE for services to music in 2003, and Hot Chocolate are famed for hits You Sexy Thing (which re-ignited Brown's popularity following its use in the hit movie The Full Monty), Everyone's a Winner, So You Win Again and, of course, It Started with a Kiss.

Forty years ago, Errol was recording a reggaetinged version of the John Lennon song Give Peace A Chance with a group of friends in West Hampstead.

He wanted to change the lyrics, but was informed he could not alter Lennon's song without his permission. A copy of the demo was sent to The Beatles' record label, Apple, with fingers crossed.

"We thought no way is he going to approve that," recalls Errol. "Then Apple said John Lennon loved it and wanted to put it out on the label. That was incredible."

Errol and his friends were given the name The Hot Chocolate Band, thought up by a secretary at the company. Later, they became Hot Chocolate.

Towards the end of 1969, Mickie Most signed Errol and the co-founder of the group, Tony Wilson, as writers.

Their songs were recorded by Mary Hopkins, Julie Felix and Herman's Hermits. The pair were then encouraged to come up with a song for themselves.

In 1970, Hot Chocolate, with Errol as lead singer, released their first record, Love Is Life. which reached number six in the charts.

"It was a wonderful thing seeing the music grow internationally," Errol recalls. "We had hits in more than 65 countries, travelling to many of them."

You Sexy Thing was their biggest hit and it didn't go unnoticed that the women had an eye for Errol too.

He is modest about his 'Sexy Thing' status, though - "I wouldn't like to talk about myself in those terms," he laughs.

"I think there was a connection.

There is no doubt when I do concerts and look out into the audience, the majority of the people are ladies.

"It's quite a romantic sounding group, I think that is why."

Errol Brown is at The Sage Gateshead on February 6.

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