A CONCENTRATION camp survivor turned West End star after he learned to sing in Bradford has been honoured with a civic reception.

Volodymyr Luciv, a Ukrainian refugee, said he felt "elevated" to be back in Bradford yesterday, a place he says he has a "special affinity" with.

The 85-year-old was welcomed into City Hall yesterday by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Roger L'Amie.

Mr Luciv, who became known as Tino Valdi and performed alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth, came to Bradford from Germany after the Second World War and, after a brief stint in Market Drayton, Shropshire, got a job as a textile spinner at Salts Mill as part of three-year employment contract.

"Bradford saved me," he said. "I was a free man, I had a job.

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"For me, when I came after the German experience which was hard, everything was beautiful. I did not see black buildings - for me it was Monte Carlo.

"Some might think I am exaggerating, but I am not."

Mr Luciv, who now lives in London, went to Salts Mill as part of his visit to the city.

"It was the factory where I worked, where I started my life," said Mr Luciv, who performed with Sir Bruce for 36 nights and was also taught to dance by Julie Andrews' mother.

"It was unbelievable how big it was. It seems to be huge now without the machinery."

He was delighted to be invited to City Hall, saying: "I cannot even describe, I am so elevated, I feel great. I absolutely have a special affinity with Bradford.

"I am so thrilled and honoured."

Cllr L'Amie said: "I find it a privilege to have met this gentleman, who has obviously led a very interesting life. And since I live about a mile from Salts Mill, I find that quite interesting."

He added: "It is about the fact that people achieve things. To come here as an immigrant and end up as a major star, it shows what you can do if you show a bit of initiative."

Mr Luciv added: "It would not be possible if this country did not present the possibility. It opened the doors for me.

"I am so grateful to Bradford, to Great Britain, and to everybody."

Mr Luciv has a wife and three daughters. He was a multi-lingual singing sensation during three decades. He took singing lessons from Harry Horner, who lived in Bradford Road, Frizinghall, and later studied at the Trinity College of Music.

After a year he secured a place and scholarship to study at the world famous National Academy of St Cecilia in Rome. In 1958 he embarked on a solo singing career.

Over the next few years the suave ‘Italian singing star’, as he became known to audiences, performed all over Britain, including the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and the Theatre Royal.