John Aldridge 47 year old singing sensation

"LIVERPOOL legend John Aldridge is used to being top of the league but he could be top of the pops when he releases a charity single. The former Kop idol became pop idol after winning Irish celebrity talent show You're A Star and is now set to record his winning number Lily the Pink.

Even though he has played in World Cups and FA Cup finals, Aldridge last night said taking part in the show was the most daunting experience of his life.

Before flying back to Mersey-side from Dublin with his wife Joan, the 47-year-old said: "It was terrifying. I am tone deaf.

There were 1,000 people in the audience and it was much more frightening than playing in front of big crowds - I can play football, but I can't sing.

"I was so nervous that while the other contestants were practising before the shows, I had to drink a couple of pints of Guinness to calm me down.

"It was amazing to win. I was stunned, it's only just beginning to sink in."

dance floor, but his inexperienced performances on stage did nothing to deter fans voting for him.

Throughout the two-week contest, thousands of fans rang to keep him in the show raising £200,000 for Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin.

Aldridge built up an army of adoring supporters on both sides of the Irish sea when he played for Liverpool and the Republic of Ireland.

Renowned as one of British football's all-time great goalscorers, he ended his career at Tranmere Rovers where he was player-manager.

And he is convinced it is this popularity on the pitch that helped him win.

He said: "There were some fantastic singers in the competition and I have never sung before in my life.

"The crowd was brilliant, they sung along to the songs and I really needed that support because there was no way I could do it on my own.

"I only went in for it because someone at the charity kept trying to persuade me and in the end, I only did it to shut her up. I never in a million years expected the show to be as big as it was"

"You're A Star was a huge hit in Ireland, and Louis Walsh - from X Factor and Pop Idol - was among the panel of judges.

The music guru has promised to help Aldridge and another finalist Aine Ni Dhroighneain, an Irish actress, record charity singles.

During the contest, Aldridge entertained the crowds with renditions of Living Next Door to Alice, You're Sixteen, Sweet Caroline and Rocking All Over The World.

But perhaps the most popular of his performances was when he sung Johnny Cash clbuttic Ring Of Fire, which has been adopted by Liverpool fans as a club anthem.

But it's his version of Lily the Pink by fellow Scousers The Scaffold, which he sang in the final, that he has chosen to record."

The striker will follow in the footsteps of Kevin Keegan, Glenn Hoddle and Chris Waddle and Gazza, who have all released singles, though not all of them were very well received.

Aldridge said: "The single will be released in Ireland at first, I don't know about over here.

"It's not really my thing but, if it raises money for Temple Street than it is only a good thing."

But he has no plans to pursue a full-time pop career in case it gets in the way of his beloved football.

He added: "Singing is hard work. I had to miss Liverpool's win against Chelsea because I was working on the show. I have hardly ever missed a match and that's the most important thing."

-- "usted me enoja, quito los dientes"