NEWS

Rock stars were back in town - for a day

Justin meets his namesake - the rock singer - at the Suffolk Wildlife Park.

28 July 2004 08:15

Even rock stars have to run errands for their mums, it seems.

And yesterday, Dan Hawkins from glam rock megastars The Darkness proved that the rock 'n' roll lifestyle does not mean he can't help his mum Sandy out at home.

The 27-year-old had returned to Lowestoft for a flying visit with brother and lead singer Justin to visit parents Harry and Sandy at the family home in Blackheath Road.

The pair arrived on Sunday for a brief break but jet off again today for more touring.

But at about 10.30am yesterday after a lie-in, Dan, wearing an open black shirt, jeans and black cowboy boots, was sent to his local supermarket to buy a few groceries for what looked like a family lunch.

He returned about half an hour later from the nearby Morrisons with a bag containing fresh peppers, tomato ketchup and a tin of chopped tomatoes, as well as a not so healthy packet of cigarettes.

Staff at the store were surprised to see the star, who was served by a cashier named Jane, as he signed autographs and chatted to shoppers.

However, the chore was made easier by his choice of transport - a navy Mercedes Benz CLK 500, which usually costs around £45,000.

Outside the family home, Dan revealed that the band go on tour again today and admitted that Justin was still in bed, before going back inside.

Last night, the family all went out together to complete the hectic trip home before the boys go off to prepare for the release of their much-anticipated album in autumn.

On Monday, Dan, Justin, drummer Ed Graham and manager Sue Whitehouse were accompanied by Mr and Mrs Hawkins and a TV documentary crew as they opened a £250,000 musical suite at Kirkley High School, which the brothers once attended.

After visiting the school, Mrs Hawkins and Justin went to the Suffolk Wildlife Park at Kessingland to meet Justin's namesake, a giraffe.

The giraffe was given the name in tribute to the star's "wild" performances on stage.

And after initially being sworn to secrecy by The Darkness management team about the trip, park director Martin Goymour said: "It was great to see that Justin was genuinely excited about fulfilling his promise to visit the park and meet his namesake giraffe.

"For once, however, it was not the rock star who was the centre of attention but Harry, the young giraffe's father, who hogged the limelight - and most of the food offered by Justin."

In keeping with his rock star image, Justin sported a pair of skin-tight leather and feathered trousers, silk shirt and, in his own words, a "J R Hartley hat".

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