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Chesney Hawkes, who has kept returning to Dorset year after year, is rumoured to be one of the stars lined up for the new series of Celebrity Big Brother, which starts on ITV1 on Monday, April 7. The singer's name has been mentioned alongside Coronation Street actor Jack P Shepherd, EastEnders actor Patsy Palmer and former athlete Daley Thompson as celebrities set to walk up the metal steps into the house. Chesney is known for his number one hit One and Only , which topped the charts in 1991 for five weeks and has just released single Loud, ahead of his upcoming album Living Arrows out on April 4.
He has visited Dorset on numerous occasions over the years to see his childhood friend Vic Irvine of Cerne Abbas, a larger than life character who was a figurehead of local brewing. Vic tragically passed away earlier this year aged 54 following a four year battle with lung cancer. Chesney Hawkes In December Chesney released a single called Live Forever , which was inspired by Vic's life and approach to fighting Stage 4 lung cancer.
Over the years, Chesney Hawkes has visited his friend in Cerne Abbas to host fundraising gigs to support him. He has also championed the local Dorset community and encouraged local youngsters looking to make a career out of music. In November 2000 he dropped in on a music lesson at Budmouth Technology College in Chickerell.
Performing with his band Manna, former chart-topper Chesney delighted the young audience with his hits before answering questions about the music industry. Back in April 2011 he was spotted joining a street party in Cerne Abbas to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Vic Irvine and Chesney Hawkes (Image: Supplied) Chesney, the son of Len ‘Chip’ Hawkes, who was in 1960s band The Tremeloes, came along to enjoy the event with Vic and his family.
At the time he said: “The atmosphere here is lovely, it’s a proper local celebration and we can just let the kids run wild and have fun." Recommended reading: In May 2012 Chesney headlined the Bayside Festival in Weymouth for a Back to School 90s Party during the resort's Olympic celebrations. Just ahead of the performance he said: “I come to Dorset at least once a month.
Recently I filmed the cover of my new album along the Jurassic Coast. “Weymouth is a great family place and my children love it here. “I love Weymouth – it has that amazing promenade and it has everything as a town that you would want for a day out on the beach or as a tourist destination.
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