21 Facts About Vince Hill

Outside of his work in show business, Vince Hill is a Patron of The Macular Society, a UK charity for anyone affected by central vision loss.

Vince Hill revealed in 2019 that he is losing his eyesight to Age-Related Macular Disease.

Vince Hill first sang professionally in a public house called The Prospect in Margate, Kent, when he was seventeen years old.

Vince Hill travelled to Catterick camp in Yorkshire where the band was based, did the audition, and got the job.

At the beginning of the 1960s, Vince Hill joined the critically acclaimed British vocal group, The Raindrops, which gave him his first opportunity to perform in television and radio shows, especially on the BBC radio show 'Parade of the Pops'.

In January 1965, Vince Hill was offered an international recording contract with the EMI group, which signed him to their Columbia label.

Vince Hill's album 'Edelweiss' was a hit for EMI Columbia.

Vince Hill's song was the overall winner of the 1973 Castlebar Song Contest with 'I'm Gonna Make It' sung by Joe Cuddy.

Vince Hill's long-term recording contract with EMI Columbia came to an end in 1974, by which time he had released 14 studios albums and countless singles.

Vince Hill continued to perform regularly in clubs, cabaret and various stage productions.

In 1982, Vince Hill added acting to his CV, in the BBC radio drama, 'Tolpuddle'.

In 1990, Vince Hill took to the stage to play Ivor Novello in the stage play 'My Dearest Ivor'.

Vince Hill's stage acting continued, and notably included a starring role as the Cowardly Lion in an adaptation of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of 'The Wizard Of Oz'.

In 2004, Vince Hill was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent successful keyhole surgery.

Vince Hill came out of semi-retirement in April 2012 to make a successful return to the stage for one night only in which he performed in a big band night at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.

Vince Hill came out of retirement again, in March 2018, when he returned to the stage in 'The Good Old Days of Variety' at the Cast in Doncaster.

In December 2018, Vince Hill was billed to host an event celebrating the BFI's 'Missing Believed Wiped at 25' at BFI Southbank.

Vince Hill became a Patron of The Macular Society in October 2010.

Vince Hill has suffered from AMD since 2011; this was a major reason for his reluctantly retiring from live performances.

In support of the society, Vince Hill donates all proceeds from sales of his 'Legacy' greatest hits CD to the society to help beat macular disease.

Vince Hill released a limited edition 2021 charity calendar, with proceeds going to The Macular Society.