CHRISTIE: 'I WANT TO SING UNTIL I DROP'

Chart-topping crooner TONY CHRISTIE wants to collapse and die on stage, like legendary British comic TOMMY COOPER.

The 61-year-old singer - who made British music history this weekend (17APR05) when his track (IS THIS THE WAY TO) AMARILLO grabbed the top spot in the first singles chart featuring downloads - has vowed to sing until his dying day, and hopes he'll spectacularly exit the world mid-performance.

He says, "I've had my 15 years of semi-retirement in Spain, picking and choosing little gigs and jobs abroad and playing golf.

"If I can spend the rest of my life gigging, great. And hopefully I will drop dead onstage, just like Tommy. That will suit me down to the ground. It's the best way to go.

"I want to sing until I drop... but not just yet."