NOWADAYS they are about as far removed from "the Young Ones" as it is possible to be.

Let’s face it, Cliff Richard is 69 on Wednesday, Newcastle-born Hank Marvin is 68 in two weeks time, Chester-le-Street raised Hank Marvin is a sprightly 67, while drummer Brian Bennett is nudging 70.

But not one fan would want to miss Cliff and The Shadows reunited for the very last time (well for this year at least) at the MetroRadio Arena, Newcastle, tonight.

"We have done all the old stuff, because we are," said Cliff entering into the spirit of the occasion.

The band’s existence was always a marriage of convenience in the first place. Cliff required a backing band at short notice in 1958 when the single Move It went to number 2 in the charts.

Fifty years on, Cliff and The Shadows are still performing "the walk", the triangular dance step which will follow their fans to the grave, as the set-list splits into hits with and without Britain’s best-known Bachelor Boy.

* Read Viv Hardwick's review in tomorrow's paper.