AFTER performing at one of the world's biggest touring rock festivals, Chas Hodges did not hang around with the stars to continue the party as you might expect.
Instead Chas, one half of legendary cockney duo Chas & Dave, left heavy metal festival Sonisphere in Knebworth for the humbler surroundings of Chelmsford Social Club behind a Tesco supermarket.
The 70-year-old mingled with the locals and reunited with ex-professional snooker players Willie Thorne and Dennis Taylor of the Matchroom Mob, who performed on the duo's original 1986 single "Snooker Loopy".
The event on Saturday (July 12) was the club in Springfield Road's biggest in "a long time".
"It went better than we could have possibly imagined, a great crowd and everything went according to plan," said event organiser Ben Whitehead.
"It was the biggest event we have had in there in a long time. They have various tribute acts but rarely the real thing.
"To have the Matchroom Mob milling around and singing Snooker Loopy with Chas was amazing."
About 170 people packed into the club for the 7pm show, with ticket proceeds being ploughed into Cystic Fibrosis research.
After two support acts performed, including Mid Life Crisis, and after the Matchroom Mob duo played pool with locals, the Mob and Chas reunited to play 80s hit Snooker Loopy.
Chas also played classics including Gertcha, Aint No Pleasing You and Down To Margate.
"It was absolutely fantastic," added 34-year-old Ben, a former Great Baddow High School student from South Woodham Ferrers.
Ben also organised for Chas to play at his old local pub The Blue Lion in the city last September.
The IT manager, who first approached the rock veteran at The 100 Club in London, has organised about six events.
He said: "It was a truly wonderful night. Chas is one of the most down-to-earth people you are ever going to meet, he really is a lovely man."
