A ROCKING pensioner who has played with some of the music industry’s biggest stars has made the semi-finals of TV show Britain’s Got Talent.
Crissy Lee, who lives in Peldon, has made the final shortlist of 40 acts, and will perform for a much-coveted place in the final in October.
The 77-year-old, whose real name is Christine Leeworthy, started drumming at the age of four when she joined the Salvation Army band.
In a musical career crossing six decades she has worked with some of music’s biggest stars, with her band the Beat Chics supporting The Beatles on their first tour of Spain in 1963.
Her friendship with the legendary Sir Paul McCartney even sparked rumours the pair may actually have been engaged, but Crissy says this was just used as a ploy to get extra publicity.
Crissy said: “I am absolutely delighted to make the semi final. I have got it all to do this week rehearsing and then recording but it has been great fun.
“It is a massive programme so it is a big deal. It is a bit of a swan song for me as I am 77 now and I have slowed down with performing a bit.
“Having travelled around the world all my life I love it in Peldon and I don’t plan on moving, but the competition has given me a new lease on life.”
Crissy teaches drums and percussion from her FiddleSticks studio at home and hopes her exploits on national television, with millions tuning in to Britain’s Got Talent every week, can inspire the next generation of musicians.
She said: “I have been there, done it and got the t-shirt and had a successful career.
“I feel I would like to pave the way for someone younger to win the competition.
“There is a lot of young talent out there and it would be nice for them to get some recognition in future.”
Crissy’s semi-final set-list is a well-guarded secret until it airs on TV but she has promised it’ll be a crowd pleaser.
She said: “I have played a lot of genres of music in my career but at Britain’s Got Talent you need to do crowd pleasers, not something self indulgent.
“It is going to be a long day filming on Sunday but I am used to that. I can sleep the day after.”
Crissy has a website at crissylee.co.uk.
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