JOHN ANSON meets young entertainer Andy Eastwood, who is keeping traditions of George Formby and the music hall alive

WHEN Ken Dodd brings his laughter show to King George's Hall tonight, one member of the cast will be looking forward to playing in Blackburn more than most.

For musician Andy Eastwood, it will be the first time he has ever played in his home town as a professional musician.

At just 23, Andy is already making a name for himself as an entertainer, particularly for his ukelele playing.

"I was born in Blackburn, my dad's from Blackburn and my mum from Accrington," he said.

"We lived in Darwen until I was three and then moved to Christchurch, near Bournemouth, but I consider myself to be a Northerner."

Andy's love affair with music -- and the ukelele in particular -- stemmed from his grandfather Bill Stinson.

"My grandad used to be an entertainer during the war and he would play to me when I was a little tot. It was the first music I ever got to know properly.

"My grandad died when I was six but he had already bought me my first uke. I was about nine when I decided to have a go with it. I was getting violin lessons at school and when you can play one instrument it's not so difficult to pick up another one.

"From the start the uke just felt right and by the time I was 11 I was doing little shows at old folks' homes."

Andy's natural talent for music took him to New College, Oxford. There he made history by becoming the first student ever to give their recital for the final examinations on the ukelele.

"I was going to play the violin but my tutor suggested I play the ukelele," he said.

"I wrote to the examiners and they agreed. I don't know whether it's because I was a lad from a working class background or what, but they said yes.

"When I gave my recital it was the first time anyone had sung a George Formby song. Students had always done classical pieces before me. It was quite funny to watch the examiners' faces, as they were all medieval music scholars. I don't think they quite knew how to judge me, but I got a first for my recital so they must have liked it!"

After leaving Oxford, Andy was determined to work as a musician and be an entertainer.

"I think the music hall is true entertainment," he said. "There is no live entertainment on TV anymore. The only place you'll see it is in the theatres."

This will be Andy's second tour with Ken Dodd, with whom he will play around 40 dates this year.

"I will play everything from George Formby, which people expect, to the William Tell Overture and even some Elvis on the ukelele," he said. "It is such a versatile instrument."

For anyone who is unsure, Andy plays a ukelele banjo, which looks like a traditional banjo but with a much shorter neck.

He admits to having "quite a collection" of instruments but his pride and joy is one which actually belonged to George Formby.

"It's one he used when he performed Leaning On A Lamppost on TV. I do still use it occasionally but I don't take it on tour."

He may have the great man's ukelele but Andy would never be tempted to become a George Formby impersonator. "You'd never get me on Stars in Their Eyes," he said. "If you want to listen to George Formby then buy a CD of his music. I will play Formby songs as part of the act but I do them my way."

As well as working with Ken Dodd, Andy is due to appear at the Winter Gardens for a summer season with comedian Stu Francis and will also be touring with '50s singing star Ronnie Ronaldi.

He has already travelled the world playing his music and has one CD out and is working one another for release this year.

"I'd like to do my own variety show and be an entertainer," he said.

"But I've got time on my side."

First, however, comes tonight's date in Blackburn and a return to his home town.

"I think all my relatives will be in the audience," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it."

The Ken Dodd Laughter Show is at King George's Hall, Blackburn tonight. Details from the box office on 01254 582582.