It was an incredibly tense watch, and it really was a hot night. Tom Allen kept swaying about, and I got nervous myself, thinking how awful he must be feeling, because like lots of people I've been on the platform feeling lousy, and you just hope to get through it somehow. He kept going as long as he could, but it was only a matter of time before he hit the deck. Apparently they gave Patrick a bow tie to put on his turquoise shirt and trusted that he knew what he was doing. The fact that he was carrying the score probably helped. This is a difficult part for a baritone, but he was really good.

Patrick was my singing for 4 years in the late 1980s. Such a fantastic inspiring teacher and a wonderful voice! I'd love to know what he's doing now!

My husband and I were actually one of the promenaders on that night. We couldn't really see what had happened - we only knew that the tenor had disappeared rather suddenly and that he was replaced by someone wearing a blue shirt!

BBC Proms August 1974. Andre Previn conducts the LSO and LSO chorus with soloists Sheila Armstrong, Gerald English, Thomas Allen and surprise soloist Patrick McCarthy.

Thanks for posting this. I just heard an interview with Patrick McCarthy on the radio about this event.

Some people will do anything to get out of singing Carmina. 😁

Utterly utterly wonderful

what a brave man!

STEPEHIN, Thanks for that BBC Witness link, much appreaciated.

What a story dose anybody no where we can find the full performance ?

I heard this story on the podcast BBC History Hour, named "The Fairy Photos". It's the last story of the show.

rederic2004, are you able to tell me the link for the program you heard plse? Cheers