Max Clifford celebrates his 65th birthday
Above: Max and his partner Jo Westwood who spent many months secretly planning the party
Above: Des O'Connor, Jo, Max, Roger Kitter and Des's wife Jodie
Above: Close friends Roy and Jenny Lloyd
Above: Elvis and his adoring fans l-r Eileen, Kim, Grace, Lisa, Jo, Chris and Jenny
Above: Bobby Davro and Vicky Wright, daughter of the footballer Billy Wright
Above: Frank Scolaro, Helen Bygraves and Ian Wills
Above: Leading the signing! l-r Lisa, Helen, Chris and Jo
Above: Old friend Mike Harding with Max's daughter, Louise
Above: With sister-in-law Iris, brother Bernard and Jo's parents, Eileen & Freddie Roker
Originally published in May 2008's Surrey Life magazine
Every month, Elmbridge resident Max Clifford gives us an insight into his busy life in the county and beyond
Photos by Andy Newbold
Birthdays have never really meant very much to me; I’ve always endeavoured to make my life a weekly celebration instead of only once a year. Also, as this time it was my 65th birthday – which meant I was officially old – I would probably have done very little to mark the date.
My partner Jo, however, had other ideas – and thank goodness she did!
Elvis, Des O’Connor, Bobby Davro, all performing live in my lounge at home, might seem somewhat far-fetched, even for a PR-Man. But that’s just a part of exactly what did happen a couple of weeks ago at my home in Burwood Park (admittedly, Elvis was actually a look-a-like/sound-a-like called Peter Sands who drove the ladies wild with his singing and his gyrations...).
Read what happened when Surrey Life interviewed Max Clifford here
The party was a total surprise to me – the result of months of secret planning and organisation by Jo to create a wonderful night for me and the 40 close friends and family she invited.
A magnificent mixture of great food, drink, music and comedy, all at my own home, surrounded by the people I most enjoy being with. It was a combination that for me couldn’t have been any better.
Some of you may remember Roger Kitter who many years ago appeared as ‘Captain Bertorelli’ in the long running hit TV series Allo Allo. Roger’s tribute speech was as funny as it was revealing and reminded me of past events and adventures over many years, several of which I had conveniently forgotten about.
Music came in many forms including a tribute song written and performed by the as yet unknown Ian Wills. Ian is a very young looking 50-year-old singer-songwriter, who is always telling me how incredibly talented he is. Ian should go very far with his music and I sincerely hope he does. His exotic backing group, Mary and the Hinges, was a real highlight of the night.
Des had a bad throat so he, fortunately, was unable to sing, but unfortunately neither did his wife, Jodie, whose voice is as lovely as she is.
Bobby was brilliant; if there’s a better live entertainer currently anywhere in this country I’ve yet to see him. His Elton John impressions are even better than
the original.
All in all, a great party and one I’ll never forget, full of special people enjoying a very happy night, and all thanks to my lovely Jo.
Max Clifford has kindly donated his fee for this month’s column to the CHASE Children’s Hospice (Christopher’s) in Guildford.
www.chasecare.org.uk
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