Karaoke singer ‘raising morale’ in lockdown devastated to receive noise complaint

He played You'll Never Walk Alone during Thursday's Clap For Carers and helped 'lift spirits' during VE Day.

A karaoke singer who was raising his neighbours’ spirits by performing on his driveway has been left afraid to continue after being hit with a noise complaint.

Ted Townsend, 51, who performs and DJs as Big Ted’s Big Karaoke, had taken to doing live shows online and outside his home in Clacton after the country was put on lockdown in March. He had only received a warm response from other residents in the area and was shocked when Tendring Council got in touch.

The council says the a complaint was made about alleged ‘excessively loud music’ coming from his home. Ted has now been told to look into the issue, or risk facing more stringent action if other complaints are sent to the authority.

Ted, who plays You’ll Never Walk Alone every Thursday during the nationwide Clap for Carers, said he felt ‘shocked and very sad’ after receiving news of the complaint.

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He told the Clacton Gazette: ‘All I’ve been trying to do is raise spirits and boost morale during the lockdown, as well as give people a bit of entertainment.

‘Performing also helps me too, because I am very much a people person and love to entertain. I don’t want to just sit here all day looking at the same four walls.’

Ted has now stopped performing live outside, which he described as ‘really upsetting him’. He says he has also only performed outside three times last month, adding that he does not play ‘loud music into the night’.

He continued: ‘I would have thought that during this time, we all would need a little boost, a little community spirit and maybe a bit more togetherness. It is a shame for the wonderful people who have supported me.’

Ted has received support from neighbours after posting his noise complaint on social media, with one person writing: ‘One complaint should not be allowed to over ride the pleasure of the majority of a community.’

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