The recent death of George Harrison has added a special poignancy to the Backbeat Beatles' concert at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall next week.

One of Britain's premier Beatles tribute bands, the group, which plays the venue on Friday, January 25, were born out of the hit film Backbeat.

The movie charted the Liverpool group's early existence in Hamburg and the band's Chris O'Neill actually portrayed Harrison.

"George's death was very upsetting," he said. "After six or seven years of playing as the Beatles and George in the film it's very sad."

Ironically, Chris no longer plays George in the Backbeat Beatles.

"I play Paul McCartney now," he said. "I played George in the film and then swapped to John.

"Then there was a bit of a brawl in a pub and 'Paul' had to leave the Beatles so I switched over to bass and we got another 'John'."

Despite the line-up changes there's no doubting the authenticity of the group with all four members hailing from Liverpool.

"We're all Scousers," said Chris. "I was a massive Beatles fan as a kid.

"I did all my research when I was a kid at school. The first record I got was the Star Club (Beatles live recording from Hamburg). When I got the part in Backbeat, I already knew all the songs and chords.

"There's a lot of other tribute bands out there but we've got a sense of humour on stage."

George's recent death from cancer has also had an unexpected impact on Chris' other group, Water, who perform their own work.

Chris said: "I'm getting more interest because the character I played is, unfortunately, dead. Before that it was a bit quiet really.

"I contacted some Beatles websites in America and they showed some interest in Water's album. The next thing I know I was doing radio interviews across the States."

The concert begins at 8pm.