Escape for lunch with John Leyton (From York Press)

Escape for lunch with John Leyton

7:59am Wednesday 25th April 2012 in Selby & Tadcaster By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

An ACTOR and singer known for his role in the classic film The Great Escape alongside Steve McQueen will visit Selby.

John Leyton, who is remembered by many as one of the most successful UK pop singers of the early Sixties and as a Hollywood actor, will make a personal appearance at Selby Globe.

As well as a showing of his film Guns at Batasi, Mr Leyton will discuss his memories of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Richard Attenborough, Steve McQueen and others at the event on May 24.

The talk was organised by Globe volunteer member Chris Knight, who has known Mr Leyton for many years and will be interviewing him on the day.

Mr Knight said: “John has had a fascinating career and it seemed to be an ideal opportunity to get him to visit us and talk about the people he has met and worked with. I approached Eva Lambert, the Globe’s project manager, with the concept and she loved it from the outset.

“We hope to talk to John about all aspects of his acting career along with him divulging some anecdotes about the people he has worked with over the years”.

Mr Leyton said he has fond memories of the year he studied drama at the Theatre Royal in York.

His first major acting role was his portrayal of Ginger in a 1960 Granada TV adaptation of Biggles.

He later went on to act in Every Day’s A Holiday and Von Ryan’s Express starring Frank Sinatra in 1965 as well many other projects.

Mr Leyton returned to acting with a cameo appearance in the 2005 film, Colour Me Kubrick, starring John Malkovich.

The doors open at 10am, the cost is £3.50 and lunch is included.