Wedding singer Wayne hangs up his mic and picks up his pallet in COVID career change

Wayne Farrow (46) decided to follow in his father Ian's footsteps by setting up his own pallets business during lockdown, a reflective period which he described as "an eye-opener".

The career change will see Wayne drop his sharp suits and microphone in glamorous venues for overalls and a work van outdoors, but one he is relishing.

Wayne, who started singing in Burnley's pubs and clubs circuit as a young man, described what he has experienced as many other entertainers have in recent months - a wasteland for live performers and a very real threat to their financial stability.

He said: "The lockdown has devastated my industry, as it has for other live performers. For a long time, pubs, clubs, theatres and music venues have been shut, while weddings have been very much restricted.

"I have to be honest and say I haven't missed the performing as much as I thought I would. It has been wonderful, taking me around the country and even to Hong Kong, but working every weekend long into the night does have an effect on your own social life.

"I have enjoyed having more time to myself and family but the drying up of work has meant I've suffered financially.

"I'm not one to rely on others, and so felt I had to look at a career change. My dad Ian had his own pallets business for 30 years and I used to help him out so this seemed to be the logcial step for me. There's a lot of industrial estates in Burnley where businesses need pallets to go in and out responsibly."

Wayne, who says that while he will continue to perform as a wedding singer once things return to normal, admits that his new pallet business will be his long term focus.

"I want to be done and susted with the singing by the time I'm 50. I started singing in my school choir at Rosehill Juniors so it has been with me a long time but it's time for something new."

Apex Pallets can be contacted at apexpalletsuk.co.uk