Chart-topper Tony finds his way to Emmerdale

CHART-TOPPING crooner Tony Christie was today revealed as the latest celebrity to sign up for a spot in a TV soap.

The Seventies singer, who last night celebrated in Edinburgh after topping the charts, will appear as himself in a special Emmerdale episode this summer.

He follows stars such as cricketer Ian Botham, rugby’s Martin Offiah and pop’s Marti Pellow, who have all guested in the series.

Christie is currently riding high in the charts again with Is This The Way To Amarillo, thanks to a video featuring comic Peter Kay.

Christie celebrated the news that he had hit no 1 in the Balmoral Hotel last night after performing a show in Dundee. The 61-year-old’s career comeback will continue with the guest appearance in an episode of Emmerdale.

He will play himself in the show - and will duet with Diane (Elizabeth Estensen). She meets Christie while on a trip to Newcastle with Marlon (Mark Charnock), Donna (Verity Rushworth) and Viv (Deena Payne) for the Top Pub Chef of the North contest.

Yorkshire-born Christie said: "I’ve always been a fan of Emmerdale and am very excited about appearing in the show.

"My mum is more impressed that I will be on Emmerdale than she is with my number one single! This is something that I have never done before and I am really looking forward to it."

Is This The Way To Amarillo has stormed to the top of the charts 34 years after it was first released.