BRAVE S Club star Bradley McIntosh stunned revellers at this year’s Sunshine Festival with the news his cousin had been killed just hours before in a knife attack in London.
The 38-year-old revealed his cousin Andre had become the latest victim of the knife crime blighting the capital on Saturday night when he took to the stage with band-mates Jo O’Meara and Tina Barrett on Sunday afternoon.
Despite his heart-breaking confession, the star told festival-goers: “I’d rather be here performing for you Worcester, than moping at home. But please can we have a minute’s silence for my cousin Andre.”
Music lovers bowed their heads in support and a few tears were shed before Bradley bravely took to the stage again and performed the rest of the S Club set for the crowds who gave him a rapturous applause.
The sombre moment capped a show stopping festival which also saw Peter Andre halt his set when he spotted a pregnant member of the audience looking unwell and called for the paramedics.
Festival chiefs confirmed the woman was also diabetic and a Sunshine Festival representative told the Observer it was lucky Peter spotted her.
“Thank goodness Pete is such a caring professional, as not many other acts would have stopped their show to help,” he said.
Revellers soaked up the sunshine at the hottest ever Sunshine Festival over the bank holiday weekend in Upton-upon-Severn.
Celebrating the festival’s tenth birthday in scorching 29-degree heat, were more than ten thousand people dancing and singing along to more than a hundred acts including Andre, S Club, The Osmonds, Scouting For Girls, Judge Jules, East 17, Busted, Jedward, Boyzlife and 10CC.
One festival goer Trixie Barton told the Observer: “I’ve been to nine festivals this summer and this is definitely the best! The weather has been perfect, the bands have been incredible and Brian McFadden just kissed my cheek… I’m never washing again!”
Highlights of the three-day event included Peter Andre’s performance of Mysterious Girl which got everyone up, clapping their hands and singing along as he did his signature under the waterfall dance moves. And Busted also brought the house down with screaming girls a plenty as they rocked out to their hits including ‘Year 3000’ and ‘Crashed the Wedding.’
Irish pop duo Jedward also proved popular with crowd-goers.
Simon Copeland who travelled down for the festival from Crewe told the Observer: “I didn’t want to like Jedward but in less than a minute I was up and dancing along to them. Those guys have so much energy. You’ve gotta love them!”
Notable performances also came from 10 CC who had the crowd singing in unison to mega hit ‘Dreadlock Holiday’.
Along with live music from all the live bands and performers, the three-day festival also enjoyed a great range of street food vendors, bars, children’s entertainment, circus, an inflatable land, stores and an international food village.
