Rhys Jones show tickets on sale

Apr 23 2008 by Luke Traynor

TICKETS for the Rhys Jones concert at Liverpool's Echo arena are on sale from today.

Comedians Stan Boardman and Freddie Starr have joined the growing list of Liverpool performers who have confirmed they will appear in the one-off show.

All the profits from the Liverpool Unites: Concert for Rhys on August 15 will go towards building a new community centre in Croxteth Park where the 11-year-old grew up.

The idea for the concert came from Kate Mayers and Sarah Doughty, friends of Rhys’s mother Melanie, who were devastated after the youngster’s murder last August.

Former Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton, Spice Girl Melanie C and the X-Factor’s Eton Road have already been pencilled in.

Boardman and Starr said they will present some of the acts and perform brief stand-up slots.

Ex-Brookside actor Dean Sullivan will compère and will be joined on stage during the show by his on-screen wife Sue Jenkins, who played Jackie Corkill.

The Merseyside Police Band will play along with the Love and Joy Gospel Choir and Radio Merseyside DJs Billy and Wally.

Another big-name singer is likely to be added to the bill in the next few days.

Rhys’s parents Stephen and Melanie Jones, who will be in the audience, have requested that children are heavily involved in the show.

A dance troupe called Morphine have been booked, and singer Izzi Field will perform with some of Rhys’s schoolfriends from Broad Square community primary in Norris Green.

The ticket phone lines were buzzing as soon as they opened at 9am, and in a promotion, the first 1,000 family tickets (two adults and two children) were available for only £50.

Lyn Staunton of Power Promotions said: “If the people of Liverpool get behind this event and unite as they so often do, this will be a sell-out.

“Melanie Jones wanted the children to be involved as the family took great comfort from them when this tragedy happened.

“I’ve been inundated with calls from people who are so keen to help with this event. When the two women came up with this idea it was so ambitious, but they’ve made it work.

“It will be an emotional evening, particularly for Rhys’s family and I’m sure there won’t be a dry eye in the house.”

ECHO editor Alastair Machray said: “This is going to be a very special show, remem- bering a very special boy.

“There are already some great acts lined up and more to come. So much work has already gone into it.

“But it needs you to make it work by snapping up the tickets and making it a sell-out spectacular.

“This is a family show, with something for everybody.

“We would love to see schools organising trips to see the concert at the Echo arena.

“It would also make a great office or pub night out for groups of people, with the money going to a special cause.

“So get get behind it and show Rhys’s parents your support.”