Rail passengers at Newcastle Central Station did a double take as a bespectacled man carrying a guitar walked along the platform.

He was the image of Buddy Holly, the American singing legend who counted Peggy Sue and That'll Be The Day among his many hits.

In fact, this was South African-born performer L J Urbani, who was in town yesterday to publicise the tour of the hit stage show Buddy.

He got behind a microphone in the station's Centurion Bar to give people a taste of the musical, singing three of Buddy's famous songs.

The touring production of Buddy, which ran for 13 years in London's West End, visits Sunderland Empire in December.

L J has previously appeared as Buddy on stage in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

He was also one of the Buddys in the London production, following in the footsteps of his stage star brother Craig Urbani.

Buddy can be seen at Sunderland Empire from December 2 to 7. For tickets, call 0191-514 2517.