Proclaimers' Charlie to undergo laser surgery
PROCLAIMERS star Charlie Reid has revealed he will no longer need his trademark glasses when he undergoes laser eye surgery later this year.
The singer, whose pop career with twin brother Craig has spanned 20 years, said he had decided to undergo the procedure after learning that Sir Elton John had also had laser surgery to improve his eyesight.
The 45-year-old said that he had been told of Sir Elton's surgery by Little Britain comedian Matt Lucas during filming for the twins' Comic Relief single earlier this year.
He said: "He told me Elton John had recently had laser eye surgery. Apparently he only still wears specs because of his image.
"But it got me thinking if Elton could do it without harming his career, then I could do it too.
"I am now going to get the laser eye surgery, probably before our British tour later this year."
Mr Reid said he planned to continue wearing his trademark glasses on stage, but they would contain plain glass rather than lenses.
He said: "I want our fans to know that I'll never ditch the specs, even when I don't need them."
However, fellow Proclaimer Craig said he would not be following his brother's lead, as he wished to remain a genuine spectacle-wearer.
He said: "There's no way I'll be going in for laser eye surgery - I'll leave all that to Charlie."