The Black Horse Inn, Clifton

Westgate, Clifton, Brighouse

Rating

Venue:The Black Horse Inn

Tel:01484 713862

Website:www.blackhorseclifton.co.uk

Opening hours:12noon to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 9.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 12noon to 8pm on Sunday

Children:Yes

Disabled access:No

Rating:8/10

The bill:£51.85

LIONEL Richie was playing Hello when we walked into the cosy restaurant at The Black Horse Inn at Clifton.

Not live, of course, just on the CD, thank goodness. One of the sickliest songs ever.

It may sound a strange thing to say but this inn has been the temporary home to some of showbusiness’ biggest stars in days gone by.

Shirley Bassey and Cilla Black have stayed at this 17th century inn. So too have legendary comedian Tommy Trinder and chart-toppers such as The Drifters and Gerry And The Pacemakers.

And then, of course, there was Danny La Rue in his pink flowing gown.

That’s enough names heavily dropped for now, but why were they there at all? Well, it dates back to the 60s and 70s and the golden age of showbusiness when Batley Variety Club and Wakefield Theatre Club were in their heyday. Their photographs adorn the walls to prove it.

When you’re in the main dining-room you can’t help but think it cannot have changed much in those decades – and the inn has been run by the same family for the last 60 years.