Opportunity Knocks star who appeared alongside Les Dawson dies

Tributes are pouring in for singer and television personality Anne Gordon, who has sadly died. Anne, an 84 year old Cleethorpes resident, died following a brief illness.

She initially gained fame after appearing on the popular show "Opportunity Knocks" with Hughie Green and went on to share the screen with notable figures such as comedian Les Dawsonand singer Vince Hill.

Her daughter Joanne paid homage to her, saying: "She was very family-oriented. They were her world." She further added: "She also had a very interesting and full life."

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Liz, Anne's other daughter, added: "She always put us first. She loved us all. She did everything she could to help. She was a superwoman and full of love. She was always called "G.G." by the family."

Anne's life was rooted in family devotion as described by her daughter Joanne: "She was very family-orientated. They were her world. She also had a very interesting and full life."

She fondly recounted Anne's beginnings in Binbrook, where her mother engaged RAF Binbrook's servicemen with lively singing and piano at the former Marquis of Granby pub, managed by their grandmother, Irene Trevor.

Embracing her mother's artistic spirit, Anne blossomed into a skilled singer, pursued dance, and delivered poignant poetry recitations, forever remembered for performing "If I Were A Bell" from Guys and Dolls and "Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered" from Pal Joey on Opportunity Knocks.

Anne’s early recognition as The English Rose who grew in the Gardens (Winter Gardens) endearingly marks her place in the annals of British entertainment history.

The beloved resident singer, who graced the stage for 17 years, reminisced about her golden days in a 2006 interview with The Grimsby Telegraph: "I lived on the Kingsway and my mum was a widow, so it was an ideal job for me. I enjoyed the singing, the music and the atmosphere. It was what I had always wanted to do. It was lovely to earn my living doing what I loved."

She fondly recalled the sparkle of showbiz life, saying she adored the glitz, glamour, and lights, and how everyone would dress to the nines. Her career took her to Manchester's hotspots like The Mecca and Belle Vue Ballroom, where she rubbed shoulders with celebrities such as Bob Monkhouse, Hylda Baker, and David Frost. However, it was Les Dawson who made the most lasting impression on her, she revealed to The Grimsby Telegraph.

After a stint away, she returned to Cleethorpes in 1967, and her daughter Liz shared that Anne was a runner-up on Opportunity Knocks at just 24. Anne's talent shone brightly as she performed with The Leo Solomon Trio at The Oaklands, captivating audiences with heartfelt renditions of "When Sunny Gets Blue" and "Guess Who I Saw Today."

Anne was married to husband Gerry, a former police officer, for 65 years. Gerry, who died last year, met his future wife during a police raid on a nightclub in Cleethorpes where Anne was employed. "He went back a week later for a drink and that's when they got together," Liz recounted.

A funeral service is scheduled for 12.45pm on Tuesday, July 8 at Grimsby Crematorium.

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