Legendary Scottish singer & showbiz legend dead at 80 days after final show

SHOWBIZ legend Christian has died suddenly – just two days after he performed in front of a packed audience.

The Scottish entertainer, real name Chris McClure, did a gig at Fauldhouse Miners Welfare Club, West Lothian on Saturday night.

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But the singer died “peacefully in his sleep” in the early hours of Monday morning at home in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, where he lived with his second wife Rainey. He was 80.

His agent Ean Jones confirmed the star had passed away.

He said: “This has come as a huge shock as he was performing on Saturday night.

“But that sums up Chris perfectly – as he was a performer to the end. His family have now respectfully asked to be left in peace.”

The twice married dad-of-five has had an incredible career spanning over 60 years.

He once toured the UK with Billy Connolly when he shared the same manager as the Big Yin in the 1970s.

Glasgow-born Christian once told The Scottish Sun: “Billy was a great laugh. I remember we did a gig in Aberdeen and we gave him a lift back home in our van. He had us in hysterics all the way home.”

Christian also sang on the 1982 Scotland World Cup song We Have a Dream, which was performed by Gregory’s Girl star John Gordon Sinclair and written by B.A. Robertson and reached No5 in the charts.

But when it came to performing on Top Of The Pops he reveals the squad – which featured Scotland stars of the day including Alex McLeish, Alan Rough and Alan Brazil – had been drinking all day.

Christian said:  “I was in my kilt and John Gordon and B.A. Robertson were singing away – while the team behind us were giving us dog’s abuse.

“They were just treating it as a big laugh, which it was.

“But as far as I’m concerned, I think that’s the best World Cup song that was ever done – for any team.”

Christian also appeared on the same bill as The Jacksons and Dolly Parton at the Queen‘s Jubilee show at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre in 1978.

He says: “The Jackson Five were top of the bill and I took the opportunity to watch them during rehearsals.

“Michael’s dance moves were fantastic, especially considering he danced using a microphone with a long lead, and he made it all look wonderful.  He truly was the greatest entertainer of this generation.”

In 2018 he was still performing in the Glasgow Pavilion’s annual panto, alongside River City star Stephen Purdon and TV wrestler Grado.

Christian’s former tour manager Iain Gordon said: “Chris was the ultimate entertainer and one of the best in Scotland and certainly one of the hardest working.

“He was at home in front of any audience and was just as happy performing in a Miners Welfare Club, Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre Glasgow or The London Palladium.

“One of his most famous songs was Shine It On which he did for the Eurovision auditions in the 1970s or more often lately performed in local care homes.

“But wherever it was he would always have his audience in the palm of his hands and up on their feet if they could.

“Chris also always had time for his fans and would stand outside the theatre or clubs taking the time to talk to everyone.

“From his early days with the Fireflies, to The Chris McClure Section and his ‘posh’ showbiz name of Christian he was always the same – a nice, kind and happy man.

“But most of all he was an entertainer in the true sense of the word.”

Christian’s fellow stars were left “devastated” by the news.
River City fave Stephen Purdon, who appeared with Christian in several Glasgow Pavilion pantos, said: “I’m absolutely gutted. When I did my first panto 20 years ago Chris was one of the first guys to welcome me and show me the ropes.

“We did several productions together at the Pavilion and whenever he performed Please Stay it never failed to leave me in tears.”

Stephen, 40, added: “Chris could sing, dance, the lot and had more energy than cats members half his age. I shall miss him.”

Two Doors Down star Grado, 35, who also appeared in panto with the entertainer, added: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear Christian is gone.
“He was always fit as a fiddle and his energy on stage was unmatched – he put the younger folk to shame.

“I’m devastated as he was supposed to be playing in my home town of Stevenston in a few weeks time and I planned to go and see him with my nana.

“My late mum Maureen was also a huge fan and never missed a show when Christian was playing down our neck of the woods. I send all my love and best wishes to his family.”

Showbiz duo The Krankies had known Christian since the sixties when he fronted the band The Chris McClure Section and also worked with in panto at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre.

Ian Tough, 77, said: “This is such sad news. Chris was a dear friend. I remember seeing him at the Barrowland with his band and he was always a terrific soul singer.

“Janette and I worked with him many times at the Pavilion which, like us, was always his favourite theatre.”

Bestselling author Peter May – who penned the Lewis Trilogy crime books – said: “In the late sixties, when I was playing in The Harlem Shuffle, billed as Scotland’s top soul band.

“We often met up with Chris during the small hours, in such unlikely places as truckers stops, and the cafeteria at Prestwick Airport, on the way back from gigs. Nice guy.”

His agent Ean – who represented the star for quarter of a century – said: “Chris was an absolute joy to work with, even with his old fashioned landline answer machine, and a mobile phone I don’t think I ever reached him on once.

“He would then reach for his diary – a book, of course – and no matter where I asked him to travel to, he wouldn’t blink an eyelid and do it.

“You always knew he would turn up, and do a great show, performing each song from the heart and with genuine conviction.

“Chris was a wonderful human being, and I am hugely privileged to have known him. My thoughts go out to his wonderful family who I know loved him so much, and he loved them beyond all measure.”

Vicky Redfern from Fauldhouse Miners Welfare said: “Christian actually blew his amp on Saturday night after his first set.
“He decided he was going to do the second half without a microphone and ask the crowd if this was ok.

“Of course they all cheered as they all wanted him to carry on. We then managed to get him another speaker and microphone so he sang his heart out the second half.

“We’re utterly shocked to hear he’s now gone. But he was an entertainer to the end.”