Farewell shows by The Ambassadors tribute band raise hundreds for Springhill Hospice

A popular tribute act from Rochdale raised almost £900 for Springhill Hospice with three farewell shows after a 30-year career.

After decades travelling the world, The Ambassadors – brothers Stuart, Chris, and Steve Kean, aged 52, 49 and 54, respectively, Mark Thompson, 53, and Wes Brierley, 55 – have called time on their act and hung up their microphones.

Their final shows were played at the end of 2019 Sacred Heart FC, the Ratcliffe Bar at Rochdale AFC and Wardle Conservative Club with the £888.26 cheque being presented earlier this year.

The group chose to raise money for Springhill Hospice, as Stuart, Chris and Steve’s dad, John, died of cancer aged 81 in 2018.

Steve said: “Dad was a massive part of the show; he was our lighting man. He and mum followed us everywhere.

“We have had so many fun times over the years; lots of charity work and lots for the Naval bases in Plymouth.

“We have many fans and followers and we wanted to let them see us all together once again for the last times.”

 

 

Formed in 1990 at Wardle Conservative Club, the five men and former member Dean Leckemby, who left in 1991, were originally known as Stu’s Roadshow before changing their name in 1997.

Tributes performed by the group include Neil Diamond, Freddie Mercury, Rocky Horror, Elvis, the Blues Brothers, Showaddywaddy, and The Beatles.

Over the decades, the group has had a number of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, including performing Bury’s New Year’s Eve show in 1999, performing for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee on the HMS Drake Plymouth, playing on the HMS Ocean, then-the largest ship in the fleet and also being taken to Rhode Island in the United States for the end of a round the world single yacht race – an event which Steve says was “the best gig ever.”

 

 

In 2004, The Ambassadors successfully auditioned for The X Factor, reaching the final 15 bands with Louis Walsh as their mentor. Three years later, they auditioned for and reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent.

In 2015, Mark – who used to perform the group’s Rocky Horror tribute – retired, leaving the band as four members until he returned for the final concerts.

Barbara Lloyd, from the hospice fundraising team, said: “I would like to say thank you to Stephen, Stuart and Christopher and their two colleagues, Wes and Mark. I know they have been tremendous supporters of both the hospice and other local good causes in past years and it is very much appreciated.

“The money raised will be used carefully to help provide much needed care to our patients and their families. On behalf of them, our staff and volunteers I would like to say thank you for the difference they have been able to make.”