A BUST to one of the 70s most popular singers has been saved from a pub closure by a fan.

Jake Thackray was an singer-songwriter and poet, best remembered for his spot on Esther Rantzan’s ’That’s Life’ .When the Blacksmith and Toffeemaker pub in Islington was closing down, it was revealed that the landlord - a fan of Thackray naming the pub after one of his songs - had a bust of Jake he was looking to sell.John Watterson, who tours as tribute act ’FakeThackray, bought the bust without knowing where it should go. He first met Jake on the Isle of Man in 1975. He recalls a performance which had the audience in stitches and had a chat with Jake at the interval - "a big man and a huge talent, clearly embarrassed by the standing ovation, Jake preferred to have a pint at the bar with the punters and didn’t really see what the fuss was about".On learning of Jake’s passing in 2002, John decided that the songs were too good not to be kept alive, so he set about learning them.John performed at The Savoy two years ago and as Jake had settled with his family in Mitchel Troy in the 1990s, he approached Chris Ryde, Director of the Trust and general manager at the theatre to see if he would like to have the bust at The Savoy.“We were delighted to accept this gift and had Nick Frost make a plinth so we could unveil it in advance of John’s next performance here,” said Chris, inviting John to say a few words.“I am genuinly chuffed to do this today” said John. “Jake was one of the finest singer-songwriters and wordsmiths this country has produced in decades and he adopted himself into Monmouth, moving to Mitchel Troy in the 1990s. “He became a man very much of Monmouth but would have absolutely hated the idea of a bust because anything to do with fame and being a celebrity was something he despised and refused to indulge in”.He then read from one of Jake’s songs, ‘Famous People’ which he thought summed up what Jake would have said about the thought of his bust being put on display at The Savoy“All that you’ll ever mean will be a statue in a square For the eyes and admiration of the common people whoyou never in your lifetime ever liked or ever knew.They will swarm and jostle by, never looking as they pass,They’ll only ever stop to strike their matches on your arse”.Present at the unveiling was one of Jake’s sons Tom who said “They captured his nose”.John is performing at the Savoy on Thursday 24th October at 7.30pm, tickets £16.