Beautiful South singer Paul Heaton offers free drinks at 60 pubs to mark his 60th birthday

A pop star is giving away free beer to his fans at dozens of pubs around the UK and Ireland, to celebrate his 60th birthday.

Beautiful South and Housemartins singer Paul Heaton is dipping into his own pocket to offer customers at 60 pubs a drink on him today, Monday, May 9, to mark his 60th birthday. Paul is footing the bill at 60 pubs that he says have some significance to him.

He had planned to celebrate by going on a cycle tour and performing at the 60 pubs but the idea was scuppered by recording delays caused by the pandemic. Instead, he is putting cash behind the bar at the 60 pubs and is asking fans to raise a glass in his honour.

The pubs can be found right across the UK and Ireland, from the historic Minerva Inn in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall’s Polgooth Inn in St Austell, ‘to The Old Toll Bar in Glasgow. And from Cardiff’s Rummer Tavern and Hardies in Merthyr Tydfil to Belfast’s Robinson’s Bar and Keohoes in Dublin.

Paul, who made the announcement on his Twitter page to his near-110,000 followers, wanted to express his gratitude to those who had supported him and bought his songs during his career. He did not disclose the amount he had left behind each bar but was encouraging regulars to drink ‘until the bar runs dry.’

Heaton, who was also frontman for the Housemartins, posted on Twitter: “To celebrate my 60th birthday (on Monday, May 9) I’d originally intended to do another bicycle tour, visiting & performing at 60 pubs across the UK and Ireland. However, due to recording delays caused by the pandemic, I’ve had to shelve these plans for the time being.

“Instead, I’ve decided the next best way to celebrate this coming of age is to handpick 60 pub across the UK and Ireland and put a given amount of money behind the bar of each one. Then, both regulars and yourselves can enjoy a birthday drink on me (until the money runs out, or the bar runs dry !).

“The hope is to bring people together on the day, whilst recognising that many folk who bought my records or showed me support over the years, could do with a wee party, as we come out of Covid and hit potential financial struggles.” He added: “So, if there’s one near you please head over on Monday, show your support and raise a toast to me on my birthday !”

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