Tributes to Burnley and Nelson karaoke king Keith ‘Huggy Bear’ Hitchen who has died in Cornwall

Father-of-two Keith (78), who grew up in Stacksteads but spent most of his adult life in Nelson, was well-known throughout the area for putting on karaoke nights in pubs, ever since his wife of 57 years, Sheila, bought him the kit for his 50th birthday.

The couple, who moved to Devon in 2012 and later to Cornwall in 2019, enjoyed caravan and camping holidays together when Keith was not on the road with his karaoke.

Sheila, who met Keith at Rawtenstall Fair in November 1962 when they were both teenagers, described the love of her life as “a gorgeous, happy man who would help anybody”.

She said: “Keith was loved by anyone who met him. I first saw him in front of the waltzers at Rawtenstall Fair when I was nearly 14 and something just clicked straight away. He was with a gang of his mates and I was with mine. We’d been inseperable ever since. I have lots of happy memories.

“Keith was best known around the area for his karaoke nights. He would get bookings all over night and Tuesday ngihts were the only time he had off.

“Keith got to know Simon Brierley from the 2BR radio station who later booked him to do his karaoke on there. He was known as ‘Huggy Bear’ from the CB radio days.”

Away from music, Keith also enjoyed fishing and diving. Sons Paul and David also now live in Cornwall.

Simon Brierley also paid tribute to his late friend.

He said: “Keith (always feels strange calling him Keith as he was always just Huggy) was a gentle giant.

“He had no ego, and was a master at putting his singers at ease and getting the tech right so that they could give their best performance – no matter how in tune they were! That quiet technical professionalism was why we chose him to work with us on radio events for many years.

“I first met him on his monthly Karaoke nights in the Craven Heifer in Briercliffe (Roger Frost would argue that Briercliffe starts at the Commercial but you get the idea!) and got to know him very well – doing the 2BR Karaoke Challenge and later the Bee Search For A Star events with Blackburn Lions.

“Before licensing hours relaxed though, Winston’s in Barrowford was the place to be on a Saturday night. Just as everywhere was kicking out, Huggy would be just warming up with a huge bottle of Diet Coke and a bit of Elton John or Spandau Ballet to take everyone through till well after 2am. Then we’d help him carry his gear down two flights of stairs (this was karaoke before laptops and YouTube!) and cadge a lift home in his trusty Vauxhall van!

“He was a true gentleman, a grafter and a modest professional who will be really missed and fondly remembered.”

His funeral will be held at Bodmin Crematorium on June 26th.