A stagehand was thrust into the limelight, after volunteering to play for 2,000 people at the Oxford Apollo when Errol Brown's support band cancelled.

Tour managers for the former Hot Chocolate star were left scratching their heads, until stage crew member Warren Stone volunteered to step-in.

Mr Stone, 26, from Outram Road, Florence Park, Oxford, plays with Oxford reggae band Makating.

He wasted no time in inviting singers Leroy 'Slimma' Golding, from Ridgefield Road, Oxford, and Vicky Brown, from Thames View, Rose Hill, to join him on stage.

He said: "It was a great honour. Errol Brown is a big hero for a lot of people. It was fantastic to tread the same boards.

"Unfortunately, as soon as we left the stage, it was back to work, packing equipment."