AFTER years in one of the best-known British pop groups which saw him work alongside Hank Marvin and Sir Cliff Richard former Shadow's guitarist Jet Harris says he is now the happiest he has ever been.

After landmark hits Apache and Wonderful Land took him to superstar status with the group, he left to embark on a solo carrier and immediately charted with his own hits Besame Mucho and The Man with the Golden Arm.

His success then continued when he joined Tony Meehan, another ex-Shadow, and they went on to have three hits Scarlet O'Hara, Diamonds and Applejack together.

But, as the 62-year-old reflects on his career, he says the fame and fortune from the royalties of the band's songs came at a personal price.

After battling with the bottle, Jet says he's proud to say his drinking days are behind him.

I liked to drink and it was always so available to me, he said.

I'm glad to say I've not had a drink for six years, which takes some doing. As a result, I'm playing better and enjoying my music more than I have ever done before, which I believe comes across in my music.

Nowadays, the musician who believes talking and entertaining the audience is as much part of his act as performing is busy touring Europe and other parts of the world with Bobby Graham, who has been voted the UK's top session drummer.

And although he's looking forward to playing at Worcester's Huntington Hall on Saturday, November 11, he hopes it will bring better fortune than last time.

I played in Worcester in the 1960s, which was great," he said.

But at the end of the gig I had two policemen in my dressing room telling me my flat had been emptied by burglars.

For tickets to the performance, contact the hall's box office on 01905 611427.