Leeds United stars backing singing dad's Facebook Live gigs for NHS

Robert Hiscoe, 33, of New Farnley has been hosting the live singing sessions on his Facebook page three times a week since the end of March.

United star Kalvin Phillips watched Mr Hiscoe singing live on Facebook and sent him the message: "Keep going mate, absolute legend."

Phillips and his friend Jack Morley donated two large signed canvas prints of a photograph of Phillips to be raffled off during the events.

One of the prints raised £1,000 and the second has already raised more than £1,700, with some raffle tickets still remaining.

Dad-of-two Mr Hiscoe said ex-United players Gary Kelly and Kevin Sharp have also been on the Facebook page to watch him singing.

Mr Hiscoe - a self employed painter and decorator who is currently unable to work - will sing whatever people want.

He has been singing since he was eight-years-old and has been in a number of bands, including a Take That tribute band for six years.

Before the lockdown, Mr Hiscoe performed one Sunday night a month at Farsley Working Men's Club.

His wife Christina came up with the idea for him to raise cash for the NHS with the Facebook Live singing sessions.

Mr Hiscoe, who has two daughters - Nevaeh, 12, and Nyla Rae, 10, sings on Facebook from 7pm to 8pm on Thursdays; from 7pm to 9pm on Fridays and from 4pm to 10pm on Sundays.

Mr Hiscoe said he has also sung tribute songs requested by families of people who have died from Covid-19 and other illnesses.

He did his first Facebook Live singing session on March 29.

Mr Hiscoe said: "I have had messages from all over the world. People have been watching in Spain, USA and Venezuela.

"I have had messages to say how I'm helping them through the situation and to keep doing what I'm doing."

Mr Hiscoe hosts the singing sessions on his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/robert.j.hiscoeHis Just Giving page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robert-hiscoenhslivesundayset