The 68-year-old from Bramhope was a big hit on stage at the Planet Leeds free music event on Briggate last weekend.

Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra fan Eugene sang for 20 minutes with a set including Kiss and My Way.

Eugene had no problem entertaining a few hundred appreciative shoppers as he once sang to a 50,000 plus audience at a bizarre gig in the Gobi Desert.

He was enjoying a night out at a Beijing restaurant on a trip to China in 2005 when he gave an impromptu karaoke performance.

His performance impressed one diner – a concert promoter – so much the man asked for Eugene's number.

A few months later the man called Eugene up and asked him to travel to Mongolia to perform at a massive concert.

Grandfather-of-five Eugene, who was born in Roundhay, took up the offer and performed to 52,000 alongside big stars from the Far East.

Eugene said: "It was an unbelievable experience, I was mobbed when I came off stage."

His singing career has mainly been confined to cancer charity events since then – a cause he supports wherever possible after winning a battle with prostate cancer in 2002.

Eugene, who has also sung at the London Palladium, said: "I love performing and it's great to have the chance to sing for people in Leeds. I just can't stop singing, I would sing anywhere at the drop of a hat."

Eugene is involved in the digital printing business, but singing and also acting are his passions.

He has played small roles in Heartbeat and A Touch of Frost and was Karoke Kenny on YTV soap Emmerdale.

In 2003 Eugene won third place in the Silver Stars national contest for over 60s.