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Karaoke King ensures his voice will live on after his death

A KARAOKE-mad father given three months to live has recorded tracks for his family so his voice can live on once he has gone.

Karaoke king Johnny Bliss and his family were shocked when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and told the devastating news that he had just three months to live.

But the distraught family are determined to make the most of the precious moments they have left together and immediately started to make lifelong dreams come true.

Johnny found out he had three months to live three weeks ago, and since then family and friends have rallied around him.

They paid for a dream seven-day cruise round the Red Sea where Johnny, 57, secretly arranged for him and his wife Sheila, 54, to renew their wedding vows.

And now Johnny, of Malvern Road, Lambton, has lived out his dream, as well as leaving behind a memory for his family, by recording special tracks to be treasured on CD.

Fighting back the tears, heartbroken airport worker Sheila said: "I met Johnny 15 years ago at karaoke and he had just plucked up the courage that night to get up and sing and we've been together ever since.

"We married on Valentine's Day ten years ago, and it's just been absolutely wonderful ever since. We've both been so, so happy and it's so terrible that Johnny is going to be taken away.

"I tell everyone to live life as if every day is your last, we've had such a fantastic life together in every way, and the cruise was the best holiday we've ever had.

"It topped them all. I've got so many beautiful memories to hold onto from that holiday, they will never leave me.

"Johnny has always wanted to get in a recording studio because he's got such a lovely voice so this is an amazing opportunity."

Last week, a recording studio in Sunderland offered its services for free so Johnny could record tracks for his family.

Now Johnny's kids from a previous marriage, Tiffany, 27, and Wesley, 30, as well as Sheila's children from a previous marriage, John, 34, Paul, 32, Caroline, 23, and Michelle, 23, and the rest of the family will have something special to remember him by after he stepped into the studio on Saturday.

Johnny, who is waiting to see whether he can undergo chemotherapy sessions, said: "This means I can leave something for the kids.

"My kids haven't had children yet but when they do I want them to have something to show my grandchildren and they will be able to hear my voice, it means a lot."

Johnny also wants to hold a charity bash before he dies.

Sheila's brother, Andrew Kerry, was nominated for a Pride of Wearside award last year after raising a staggering £20,000 to help the RVI in Newcastle find a cure for oesophageal cancer, which claimed their mother Norah's life in 2000.

"I want to host a charity event to raise more money," Johnny said. "I want to make something good out of something bad."

10:41am Thursday 27th March 2008

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