A chance comment by a well-known radio DJ about a local fishy delicacy has led to a gig at the peel Centenary Centre later this year.

Mark Radcliffe, who presents both the BBC Radio 2 folk show and a Radio 6 show with Stuart Maconie, is to appear in the Atholl room at the Centenary Centre on Thursday, May 10, from 8pm, alongside his friends and fellow musicians David Russell and Chris Lee.

He was invited to come to the Isle of Man by local promoter and musician Dave Mclean after Mark made a reference to a gift he had received from a famous Manx singer.

’The gig came about after I was listening to the Radio 2 folk show, as I often do,’ said Dave.

’Mark said, on the show, that he wanted to thank Christine Collister for the kippers. Apparently they are good friends, and she always makes a point of sending him a box, which I thought was quite funny.

’Over the past couple of years Mark has been very supportive of Manx music. He has had Tom Callister and Adam Rhodes on a couple of times, with Imar and Barrule, who he really liked a great deal.

’Also, Mera Royle has been featured a bit after winning the Radio 2 Young Folk Award.

’So I just thought I would email Mark and see if he wanted to come over. He was delighted to be asked, and jumped at the chance.

’I am holding it in the Atholl Room rather than the big hall, as I think it will be a more intimate, quieter atmosphere,which will suit the group far better.’

Tickets for Mark Radcliffe and Friends are £10, and are available from Celtic Gold, Shakti Mann and Thompson Travel in Port Erin and online from centenary centre.com