A BIG band fanatic is opening a themed fish and chip shop to remember the golden era of Hollywood.

Lee Wilder, 46, was inspired to set up Frankie’s Rain or Shine, in High Street, Benfleet, following the death of his beloved mum Deborah last year.

She was adopted as a baby by musician Tony Thorpe, and Mr Wilder grew up listening to his grandad’s tales of working alongside the great Frank Sinatra.

Mr Thorpe, who passed away three decades ago, also formed a close friendship with conductor, organist and composer Malcolm Sargent after meeting him while playing in the London Symphony Orchestra.

Mr Wilder’s mum later discovered her blood sister was glamorous West End star Stephanie Lawrence, who shot to fame in hit musical Evita, before bagging the lead role of Marilyn Monroe in a stage version of her life story. Former goldsmith Mr Wilder, of Shaftesbury Avenue, Southend, is now getting the keys to the existing Hudson’s Fish Bar at the end of the month.

He has ambitious plans to turn the building into a restaurant with Marilyn Monroe wallpaper plastered on the walls, black and white tiles on the floor, and a candy floss machine on the bar.

He said: “I don’t really know much about the fish business at all, but I’m determined to make it work.

“I loved my mum so much and I took it really hard when she died – I just felt like there was a huge gap in my life to fill.

“I started to come up with the idea for the restaurant and when Hudson’s came on the market, I snapped it up.

“It’s going to be amazing.

Customers will feel like they have stepped into the Fifties and Sixties. There will be Marilyn Monroe photographs on every table and I will be putting in memorabilia, including a real motorbike.”

Once the business is up and running, he plans to apply for an entertainment and alcohol licence to turn the fish and chip restaurant into a party venue on Friday and Saturday nights.

Here’s some songs you might be hearing some time soon in Frankie’s new fish and chip restaurant...

! You Make Me Eel So Young (You Make Me Feel so Young) ! It Haddock Be You (It Had to Be You) ! Come Ray or Come Shine (Come Rain or Come Shine) ! The Lady is a Scamp-i (The Lady is Tramp) ! Fry Me to the Moon (Fly Me to the Moon) ! I’ve Got You Under My Fin (I’ve Got You Under My Skin) ! I Cod-n’t Care Less (I Couldn’t Care Less) ! The Way You Cook Tonight (The Way You Look Tonight) ! Castle Rock and Chips (Castle Rock)