This Charming Man

Jim Thompson - These Smiths

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FAILSWORTH vocalist Jim Thompson had every right to feel miserable in the summer when recovering from brain surgery.

However, barely four months later, the talented 37-year-old frontman in top Smiths tribute band - These Smiths - is right back on top of his game and belting out Morrissey favourites like Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now to huge crowds up and down the country.

Packed-out gigs will have been at the bottom of the priority list in June after he endured an event which could well have taken his life.

Thompson, who works on the rail network by day, recalled: "It was the morning of a gig in Stourbridge, I was sat at home with my missus, and I literally forgot what year it was.

"I got a numb feeling on one side and was rushed to A and E at Stockport, and basically I'd had a bleed on my brain.

"In the end I had to have a craniotomy to remove an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) from my brain at Salford Royal, as well as more brain surgery a few weeks later.

"I was in and out of hospital for around five weeks and it was a nightmare to be honest, but I'm fighting fit again now and I have been very lucky.

"It could have been a lot worse, but touch wood I'm fit and back gigging again.

"Since I've been back we've played with the Clone Roses at UCLAN in Burnley, and played in Chester and Swindon, and they all went well."

That is certainly something of an understatement it would seem, as These Smiths - Thompson, guitarist Josh Smith, bassist Nigel Clare and drummer Luke Williams - are mad busy at present, with gigs at places like Manchester's Zombie Shack, Aberdeen, Durham and Southampton booked in before the end of the year.

These Smiths are hugely popular on the circuit and have supported tribute kings the Clone Roses numerous times, but where did it all begin?

Thompson appearing on 'Stars in their Eyes' at the beginning of 2015 kicked it off, though he had always been a massive fan of the 80s chart favourites.

"I've always been a fan of Morrissey and The Smiths, though that was through my brothers initially," added Thompson.

"They were into The Smiths back in the day.

"I had no intention of starting a band. I just went on 'Stars in their Eyes' and that was it really.

"My mate Nigel, our bassist, said I'd be daft not to get one going after that.

"Between us we put an advert out for other musicians, and the rest is history so they say.

"We were soon signed by an agency, and we've been touring ever since.

"It's crazy to be honest. There's stage invasions, people are chucking flowers at the stage, it can be insane.

"When I first started the band I had no idea how it would go, but it is crazy as I say and we're all loving it. It's fantastic."

For details of upcoming These Smiths gigs and news, check out the band's website: www.thesesmiths.co.uk.

Fans can also check out the These Smiths Facebook page.