But these were no Duran Duran-like money-spinning re-forms, these were the real deal - artists who never stopped touring and plugging away at what they do best.

First up was a triumphant appearance by punk-poet laureate John Cooper Clarke who delivered a superb set at The Platform on Friday evening.

The Mancunian wordsmith was on top form and had the large crowd in awe as he flitted effortlessly between laugh-out-loud observations and jaw-dropping pathos. Renowned mainly as a gifted poet, he is also the consummate comic and his lengthy stint on stage was peppered with gags aplenty.

He even managed to namecheck this very newspaper at one point - encouraging the audience to write to our letters' page - and generously referred to Morecambrians being "alright here, in the Miami of the north", much to the appreciation of the crowd.

Supported by current media favourites The Lancashire Hot-Pots, John Cooper Clarke left an indelible print on the Platform and a whole bunch of people thoroughly entertained.

The following evening found me at Lancaster's Yorkshire House for a gig featuring none other than Ed Tudor Pole.

The actor and singer, famous for his TV appearances on the Crystal Maze and a run of hits with his band Tenpole Tudor, played a skilled and somewhat eccentric one-man show at the venue.

As well as performing a number of his better known tunes he also treated the assembled fans to newer material and engaged with the audience with total ease.

Support came from local songwriter Kr!ss Foster plus The Three Ages Of Elvis who, in what was surely a career highlight, backed Tudor Pole on stage for a rousing encore of the classic 'Swords Of A Thousand Men'.

The highly affable entertainer could still be seen wandering the pub downstairs chatting to all and sundry a couple of hours after vacating off-stage. Now, would Duran Duran do that?