Helen Shapiro - Gospel Outreach

'Misery' was the name of the single that teen chart-topper Helen Shapiro was meant to record in 1963 when it was written for her by her fresh-faced support band, The Beatles. Probably, it came to be the state of mind of the EMI-Colombia decision-makers who didn’t think the up-and-coming band experienced enough to supply lyrics to the fledgling pop industry’s girl-of-the-moment. Shapiro's distinctive age and gender-defying deep voice had already secured her two Number One hits - the first, 'You Don't Know', when she was just fourteen - and ensured her a temporary place as the most popular act on the Britpop circuit of the time. She didn’t last long. Shapiro was unable to compete with the rise in the popularity of guitar bands - ironically spearheaded by the Beatles. By the time she was 18 she could no longer chart.

Shapiro did not disappear altogether, however. Always a 'jazzer' by preference, she found success after teaming up with Humphry Lyttelton - trading as ‘Helen and Humph’ - following a brief incarnation as Nancy in Lionel Bart's ‘Oliver’, and appearances in various British soaps. Now, at the age of 60, you're likely to see Shapiroat a Sunday service at the local Gospel Church. After converting to Christianity, Shapiro established Gospel Outreach, a programme that places her hits like 'Walking Back to Happiness' back to back with worship songs and a testimony of how she found her faith in Jesus. Helen will be appearing on the bill at Seaford Baptist Church tonight. ER