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Published: 23 April 2010
by PETER GRUNER

ARCHWAY’S Alfie Carretta, lead singer with the world famous Zimmers pensioners’ singing group, sat up bravely in a hospice bed this week and talked about his “wonderful life”. The 93-year-old, who was born in Clerkenwell in 1917, has lung cancer. He said in an exclusive interview that he hoped his experiences as an OAP superstar would be an inspiration to all. “Who said life begins at 40?” he asked, adding: “Life begins at 90!”

Alfie, who is the phenomenal voice behind the group’s hit cover version of The Who’s My Generation, is in the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead.

He said that he accepted that his condition was probably terminal and he may not have long to live. “But look, I don’t mind,” he added. “I’ve had a wonderful life. How many people can say that in their 90s they had a hit record, toured the world and met American film star George Clooney?”

Surrounded by friends, he looked feisty but said the disease, first diagnosed a year ago, had left him weak and breathless.

“I haven’t smoked for 40 years,” he added, “but I suppose something has to get you in the end. 

“They say they can’t operate, so there you go.”

He will shortly return to his council flat in Wedmore Street, off Holloway Road, where he was regularly collected by a chauffeur before an international tour. 

The flat is being re-fitted with handrails to make life easier. He will also have access to a round-the-clock Macmillan nurse.

He praised the excellent care he was receiving at the hospice at Lyndhurst Gardens. 

“The staff are absolutely amazing,” he said. “There is nothing that they won’t do for me. And of course they are all fans of the band. If it wasn’t for the shortness of breath I’d be dancing around. “

Three years ago Alfie, a retired export manager, was just an anonymous single pensioner whose life revolved mainly around the Essex Road Mecca bingo hall and the friends he’d made there over 30 years.

Then Mecca decided to close the hall down and Alfie launched a campaign in the Tribune to save it.

The campaign failed but Alfie was discovered by BBC producer Tim Samuels, who was making a film about OAPs who fight back.

Since then the Zimmers have been an international sensation with several singles, an album, and regular tours – always challenging the idea that you are old at 70.

Co-singer Dolores Murray, 67, a friend for many years, said that no one could ever replace Alfie. 

“We had a party for him a couple of weeks ago and he managed to sing even though he was sitting down,” she said. “Everyone adores him. He’s got such a brilliant voice and really is the power behind the band. I hope he can make a comeback.”

But Alfie has no preconceived ideas about the future. He could live for months or several more years.

“I was 90 when the Zimmers started. I’d been retired for 25 years and then sud­denly everything started to happen. 

“I hope there’s more life in me yet.”