Hull's Musical Heritage - David Whitfield Version 2 - David Whitfield | Page 4

David was offered the
opportunity to tour with
Opportunity Knocks, and
he also broadcast regularily
on Radio Luxembourg,
but at the end of his 8
month contract, David
unfortunately found himself
without work.
David returned north to
Hull, and worked as a
coalman’s assistant, before
moving into the world
of concrete preparation,
where he spent his working
life loading cement onto
lorries to be dispatched out
to the new housing and
infrastructure contracts that
were so prevalent in
post-war Britain.

Cara Mia - David Whitfield’s biggest hit,
at Number 1 for 10 consecutive weeks.

During that time, singing
was still a huge part
of David’s life, and he
continued to perform
in Working Men’s Clubs
around Hull and the East
Riding, earning around 30
shillings, or around £2 per
performance, a figure that
would equate to around
£80 in 2015’s money.
Thanks to his links to
Radio Luxembourg, and his
contact with Hughie Green,
David was invited to a one
off performance at the
Criterion Hotel, London in
December 1951.

The statue of David Whitfield, located in
Kingston Square, outside Hull New Theatre.