Singer Alfie Boe “talks to his late father” to help him cope with his failed marriage

Singer Alfie Boe has revealed he still “talks” to his late father – 27 years after he died from a brain tumour. The 50-year-old tenor, who is patron of the charity Brain Tumour Research, said he had “swept much of his grief under the carpet” to cope with the loss he suffered at the age of just 23.

But he still speaks to his father Alfred, who died in 1997 aged 63, and he even helped him get over the breakdown of his marriage. Alfie, who previously told how he took an overdose after splitting from his wife when he hit a “really dark period”, said he still relies on his father for guidance.

Presenting a rose in memory of his father, a keen gardener, Alfie said: “When anyone goes through ups and downs in life, we all turn to our parents. I go back to him – I talk to him. When I’m going through a difficult time. When I’m nervous or upset, I sit down and have a chat. He can be there for me when I need him.”

The Alfred Robert Boe rose, launched at the Hampton Court Flower Show, is named after Alfie’s father and is hoped to help raise funds and bring the importance of the organisation’s research to the forefront of the new government’s attention.

The West End Star, from Fleetwood in Lancashire, called for more to be done to treat brain tumours and urged the Government to step up its efforts.

Brain tumours kill more people under 40 than any other type of cancer, yet they account for just 1 per cent of national spending on cancer research. For every rose sold, Harkness Roses donates £2.50 to brain tumour research, which funds centres of excellence across the UK.

Alfie added: “My dad loved his roses so it is really special for me to do this in his memory whilst also helping to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, a charity I am very proud to be a patron of and which is working to find a cure for this devastating disease.

“I didn’t think it would hit me so hard. I saw my rose net hanging on my father’s rose. I cried. I miss him every day. He loved his gardening.

“We have a new government. They have to try harder. It was difficult to make progress. Nothing came from the previous government. This is shameful. It frustrates and annoys me. The situation for patients like my father has not really changed.”

“It makes me incredibly sad to think that many families are still faced with this terrible diagnosis and that almost 30 years later there has been so little progress in treatment.

“There is no doubt in my mind that brain tumour research should be a priority and I am ashamed that charities have to do so much in this area. The Government should be doing much more.”

Alfred suffered from poor eyesight and headaches and after his discharge he was diagnosed with an aggressive and inoperable brain tumour. He returned to Fleetwood, Lancashire to live out the rest of his life before dying in Alfie’s arms on 18 May 1997.

Alfie said: “It was a shock. I’ve been without him longer than I’ve been with him. He was vibrant, loving and kind. Losing him at 23 when Dad was only 63 felt unfair. You try to be strong for everyone around you. I swept it under the carpet to avoid feeling that sadness.”

Dan Knowles, CEO of Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are delighted to be working with Harkness Roses to launch this very special rose in memory of Alfie’s father. As patron, Alfie’s fame will help raise funds and awareness.

“Only with the support of people like him can we advance our research into brain tumors and improve the outlook for patients like Alfred who are battling this terrible disease.”

‘Alfred Robert Boe’ costs £19.99 as a bare root rose or £24.99 as a 3-4 litre potted rose. It will be available from roses.co.uk in the autumn or can be pre-ordered online.