TELEVISION stars and Island musicians are among the line up for a virtual charity concert in aid of Shanklin Theatre.

Drumming and Strumming will star musician Paul Armfield, Isle of Wight blues band Black Daniels, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum star Melvyn Hayes and John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools and Horses.

The concert, organised to raise money for the theatre, will premiere on Facebook and YouTube, on Thursday, April 22.

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Also appearing on the virtual bill are Doctor and the Medics singer Clive Jackson, Antiques Road Trip star David Harper, and Jacqui McShee, lead singer of 1970s folk band, Pentangle.

Established Isle of Wight musicians, including JC Grimshaw, John Wroath, Company B UK and Sol Grimshaw will be performing.

Isle of Wight County Press: Clive Jackson, frontman of Doctor and the Medics.Clive Jackson, frontman of Doctor and the Medics.

The event is being put together by Jake Curran, 15, and Tilly Grimshaw, 16, as they work to complete their Duke of Edinburgh awards.

The pair are members of Isle of Wight band The Solar Escape and will also be performing.

Shanklin Theatre is currently closed due to Covid and is set to reopen in the summer.

It Ain’t Half Hot Mum star and Shanklin Theatre patron, Melvyn Hayes, is among those set to appear. He first performed at the venue 40 years ago and told Drumming and Strumming, “Shanklin Theatre means so much to me.”

Doctor and the Medics star Clive Jackson said: “Donate to Shanklin Theatre, to help them and everyone involved come back with a bounce and keep providing quality live entertainment.”

Vic Farrow, Shanklin Theatre chairman, said: “The theatre is important, for both the Island and the community locally, because we have a lot of local people who attend and a lot of local people who appear here.

“We have dance schools, the Island Savoyards and Spotlight. All those people bring interest to youngsters and it’s the young people who are going to be the future of this place. It’s not just for tourism, but for the locals as well.”

Co-organiser Jake Curran said: “As members of The Solar Escape, Tilly and I know how hard the entertainment sector has been hit by Covid-19. That’s why we’re organising Drumming and Strumming for Shanklin Theatre, as part of our Duke of Edinburgh award. “

Co-organiser Tilly Grimshaw said: “We are really excited to do our first Drumming and Strumming concert. We hope you can join us!”

Isle of Wight County Press: Tilly Grimshaw and Jake Curran, who are organising the event.Tilly Grimshaw and Jake Curran, who are organising the event.

Visit Drumming and Strumming for Shanklin Theatre on Facebook and YouTube to watch.

To donate to the cause, visit https://shanklintheatre.enthuse.com/Donations#!/