WHAT is the Bolton connection that connects Ronnie Corbett, The Drifters, Des O’Connor, Danny La Rue, boxer Joe Lewis and the infamous Kray twins?

Rarely placed together, these characters were linked thanks to Bolton nightclubs owner Eric Eckersley, forming part of Bolton’s glamorous past as recalled by Eric’s wife Cynthia Parker Eckersley.

Cynthia, who is a resident of Smithills, explains that Eric’s ownership of The Empress Nightclub — which was situated in Mealhouse Lane — brought international glitz to Bolton throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Owning a top club helped cultivate friendships with the stars, as Eric’s membership of the Cabaret Club Federation resulted in him being offered much sought-after invitations.

One such invite was to visit cross-dressing entertainer Danny La Rue’s star-packed London revue club, which was frequented by The Beatles, Shirley Bassey and Princess Margaret.

Cynthia, who worked in the offices at The Empress, remembers her experiences at the OBE-appointed actor-cum-singer’s cabaret: “We were treated like royalty, placed at the top table and given amazing food and drink — including champagne.

“Eric and I were made honorary members of Danny’s club and after the show Ronnie Corbett and Danny would come to join us on the top table.”

The late Ronnie Corbett — who performed at the late-night revues at Danny La Rue’s club, meeting his future-wife there — often associated with Eric and Cynthia and she remembers him fondly.

“Many times after the show, and sometimes before, we spent pleasant evenings at the top table chatting and being friendly with Ronnie and Danny.

“It was a great pleasure and privilege to be with and in the company of two such talented people, both of whom were so friendly and amusing yet ordinary and down to earth.”

The Empress too saw a cavalcade of famous names come through its doors with Des O’Connor performing at the club’s opening night and Bolton’s Mayor attending.

Cynthia recalls: “Mike Yarwood used to come here, as did Johnny Ray and Dionne Warwick even recorded at The Empress because she thought the acoustics were so good.”

The club was multi-functional with a cabaret stage and dining room upstairs and a full casino on the first floor which Cynthia amusingly remembered being used as a buffet room at the premiere.

Cynthia says: “Bernard Manning also came to our club. He was very funny at the time but became controversial in later years.”

Some of the characters The Empress attracted were mired in controversy throughout their careers — including violent East London gangsters the Kray twins, who invited themselves to the club.

Cynthia explains: “Eric wasn’t happy about this but as the Kray twins were cabaret club owners and big in London you weren’t going to say no.

“They spent a night at the club, bringing boxer Joe Lewis with them, and were no trouble at all and very pleasant as on that night they were just coming up to enjoy the evening."

At the time it was reported that the Kray Twins had their eyes on taking over the thriving nightclub scene in England’s North West.

Cynthia recalls: “The police saw them off I believe but their appearance was only one small happening at top-club The Empress.”

The Empress was destroyed by fire in 1976 but Eric had joint-ownership — with local nightclub proprietors Eddie Grindrod and Norman Clements — of popular Bolton dance-club The Beachcomber.

The Beachcomber, in Bank Street, had several different iterations as The Dungeons, The Cromwellian and Maxwell’s and saw many of the pop stars of the day perform within its walls.

Cynthia reels off the names of Lulu, Rod Stewart and The Drifters as several examples of the A-List talent that took to the stage at The Beachcomber.

Herman Hermits — fronted by Eric’s friend Peter Noone — were discovered by a record label at The Beachcomber, before enjoying success in America.

Yet it is the appearance of soul vocalists The Drifters that Cynthia remembers most vividly — with the group being ferried from The Beachcomber in Leigh to Bolton’s own Beachcomber in Eric’s car.

Cynthia says: “The crowd in Bolton were clamouring for The Drifters, aware they were in Leigh, knowing that many acts doubled up to do same-night performances in Bolton, Preston and Leigh.

“Eric got a call saying get them across here so he drove as quickly as he could from Leigh to Bolton to get them there.”

After pulling up in Bolton, after racing as fast as possible, Cynthia recounts the amusing one-liner the lead singer of The Drifters aimed at Eric: “Man, Eric, you drove so fast you almost turned me white.”

Retired from the nightclub business, Eric and Cynthia enjoy spending time in their holiday home in Tenerife or travelling to places such as exotic Far-East Asia.

Many of you may recall visiting Eric or Eddie’s clubs in Bolton or seeing one of many of the A-List stars that performed on stage there.

Do get in touch with Gayle McBain if you have memories to share. Ring 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk