PHIL Kelsall returns to the console of the Paramount Compton cinema organ to give a concert on May 10.

Phil has now completed more than 30 years at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom, home to what must be the most famous and most played Wurlitzer in the world.

He took up the job in 1975, first as organist in the Tower Circus band with occasional appearances in the Ballroom.

Two years later, Ernest Broadbent, the then Tower organist, retired through ill-health and Phil was the obvious choice as the new principal resident organist, a position he has held ever since.

The link between the Tower Ballroom and the BBC has always been a strong one, more recently through the hit series Strictly Come Dancing. The legendary Reginald Dixon broadcasts will be particularly remembered by many and Phil Kelsall was to continue this link when in 1980 he was asked by the BBC to record for the Sam on Sunday shows, following Reginald Dixon’s retirement part way through that series.

Phil has also acted as a guest presenter for Radio 2’s The Organist Entertains. Numerous credits have also included Radio 4’s long running The Archers and Radio 2’s flagship music programme, Friday Night is Music Night.

Audiences at Penistone’s Paramount cinema are clearly in for an entertaining afternoon’s concert in the hands of an expert. The concert is on May 10 at 2.30pm. Tickets are £6.50 on 07944 566972.

For fans of organ music, the lunchtime concerts at St Andrew’s Church in Penistone continue on Thursdays at 1pm. Kevin Grunill, also from the Tower Ballroom, plays the concert on an Allen Digital Theatre Organ.

Tickets and details on the same number.