Steve King (35)

As a comedian and entertainer, Steve has played Al Jolson and lived in Blackpool theatreland, UK, shared the bill with Linda Nolan and has even performed at the famous Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, after being personally booked by Frank Sinatra, topped the bill at the London Palladium At age 69, he has decided to call it a day. His afternoon gig at Darwen Library Theatre, Lancashire, UK (Aug 29 2005) heralded the final curtain call of a man who has entertained thousands. Steve "blacked up" for his Darwen appearance, although this is viewed as politically incorrect by some councils and individuals. But he remembers when he starred with The Ink Spots, a black American vocal harmony group. "They didn't bother," he said. "They used to watch me washing it off, laugh and say, 'what a messy job. We don't have that problem!' "Jolson hated blacking up but in those days it was the thing for minstrels to black up because cotton pickers were supposed to be always singing, always happy." During the war, Steve's family ran a theatrical guest house where Uncle George and Auntie Beryl, George Formby and his wife, were regular visitors. At 14, Steve became a trainee projectionist. In the 1950s, he counted singers Ronnie Hilton and David Whitfield as well as comedian Norman Collier among his friends.