VIDEO: Leather-clad MP Keith Vaz sings Grease anthem in birthday tribute at Leicester pub

Regulars at a Leicester pub had to look twice after a leather-clad Keith Vaz strutted onto the stage and belted out a Grease anthem in honour of a local campaigner.

The Leicester East MP and ward councillor Barbara Potter joined forces to entertain locals at the Stirrup Cup pub, in Thurnby Lodge, and to wish former councillor Allan Gratrix a happy 75th birthday.

“I better shape up,” sang Mr Vaz, as he performed You’re The One That I Want with Coun Potter – who was also dressed for the part.

About 200 people packed the pub to see the 56-year-old chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee sing the tribute to Mr Gratrix – who admitted it was his favourite song.

“I thought it was very brave,” said the 75-year-old community activist.

“It’s nice that they would go to the effort of coming along and putting themselves through that for me.”

Mr Gratrix was councillor for the area between 1971 and 1976, and has been instrumental in setting up numerous community projects and schemes in the Thurnby Lodge area.

He was presented with a number gifts by friends and family before Mr Vaz – unable to resist the lure of the stage – got up a second time and sang Islands in the Stream with the members of the Forgotten Estates group, who recently protested about the use a local Scout hut.

Mr Vaz said: “We thought we would honour him by performing for one night only.

“Allan has been a fantastic servant for Thurnby Lodge for longer than I can remember.

“I’ve known him for about 28 years and I can safely say the community has been a better place because of him.”