Rat pack singer Wayne Devlin has become the go-to man for top celebs

MANCHESTER’S well-known rat pack singer, Wayne Devlin has become the go-to man for top celebrities.

Performing for celebrities from heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury to local Coronation Street favourites Kym Marsh and Denise Welch, Wayne has become the must have vocalist to the stars.

When Hollywood actor Ian McShane came back to Manchester to celebrate his mother’s 100th Birthday he instantly asked for the musical services of Wayne to make the event complete.

Even crooning legend Tony Bennett has given Wayne his official seal of approval when he personally thanked him for his 24 hour swing-a-thon in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society during the COVID-19 lockdown, where Wayne raised just under £9,000 for the charity in Bennett’s honour.

Wayne first sang first at Woodhouse Junior School in Urmston aged eight with his own take on Leaning on a Lamp Post. He honed his skills in pubs and clubs in his early days and soon rose to the top in Manchester before heading off to tour Europe and finally travelled to the USA.

In New York he was spotted performing in a smokey bar and was whisked away to Las Vegas where he performed for Wayne Newton at the Flamingo Casino then joining a rat pack trio at the Golden Nugget Casino.

Las Vegas Entertainment critic, Gaye Blann, said: “If there is hope for the future and having the delivery of beautiful music – Devlin is the delivery man.”

On his return to Manchester he become the resident swing singer of the Trafford Centre and under the management of his wife, Val, he took on the corporate scene and has been performing for top celebrities ever since.

Simon Gross-Aka Showbiz added: “Triple threat singer with the sounds and style of Sinatra himself I felt like I was transported back to Ceasars Palace, Las Vegas Wayne Devlin is a talent to watch out for.”

Peter Fury, boxing trainer said: “Wayne Devlin has performed for us on a few occasions. For a huge charity event at Bolton Football Club and we hired him again to sing Tyson into the ring when he was to fight Haye. A true gentleman and fantastic singer”

Jimmi Harkishin from Coronation Street, added: “If you’ve not heard Wayne Devlin sing then I highly recommend that you do. He’s an amazing talent that shouldn’t be ignored.”

Despite the hectic work schedule, Wayne never lost his roots. Over the last couple of years, he has raised over three quarters of a million pounds for various Manchester based charities and good causes. Wayne has received several awards for his work and still finds the time to put on concerts and performances in his local community to raise money for those in need.

In the past few years Wayne was invited to our late Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. He was invited to 10 Downing Street by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson who recognised Wayne’s contribution to society through his singing work. Most recently he received the British Citizen Award for Services to the Arts where he was presented his medal, at a special ceremony at the Palace of Westminster, by the BBC’s Naga Munchetty where he was also given the post nominal of BCAa.

Wayne said: “I really enjoy singing at the high profile celebrity balls and functions and I’ve worked really hard to get to this level with the support and assistance of my wife Val. However, I also enjoy singing at small community events such as local charity events and the Christmas lights switch on. One is just as important as the other to me. I’m really very grateful to the Manchester community for their ongoing support throughout my career. No matter what else I do in life, like pursuing my acting ambitions, I will always keep singing as I absolutely love it.”

Wayne has appeared in small roles in several popular television series including Hollyoaks, Peaky Blinders, Citizen Khan, The A Word, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Happy Valley to name but a few and is constantly auditioning for new roles to add to his resume.

You can find more about Wayne on his website http://www.waynedevlin.com and on Instagram @MrWayneDevlin