Dave helps stranded singer's show go on.

GODFATHER of soul James Brown was given a much needed helping hand by a Wolston company when he became stranded in Coventry.

The music legend was on his way to perform at a festival last night in Liverpool and become stranded at Coventry rail station, at 6pm, following a catalogue of train problems.

Organisers of the concert and Mr Brown's entourage tried to hire a helicopter to get him to the Albert Docks, where the Summer Pops Festival was taking place, but could not find one in time.

Instead the services of Wolston-based DP Limousines were called upon. Driver Dave Packwood, of School Street, Wolston, got Mr Brown, as he likes to be called, to the gig just in time for his 9pm performance.

Dave, aged 34, said Mr Brown, who is in his 70s, put on his new CD and rehearsed in the back of the limo on the way to the concert.

"He was such a nice man. When we arrived at the train station he was chatting with other passengers and signing autographs.

"I was given a backstage artist pass and was able to watch him perform from the wings.

"We got there just in time, he literally ran from the car to the stage."

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STAR VIEW IN MIRROR: Dave Packwood took stranded soul singer James Brown to Liverpool in his limousine and got there just in time for the legend to appear on stage (right)