He is better known for his boxing and TV commenting.

But Barry McGuigan unveiled a hidden talent when he took lead vocals at a Paul Carrack concert on Saturday.

The former Mike and the Mechanics frontman invited the boxing legend from Dargate on stage at the Assembly Rooms, Tunbridge Wells, to perform Whenever I Stop and Tempted.

Barry, 48, said of Carrack: “We’re long time friends, for probably around 15 years now and I’ve always been a huge fan.

“He’s one of the greatest voices in rock and roll, an absolutely amazing singer and one of the nicest guys you could care to meet.”

The former featherweight world champion went on: “I think I’ve got a fairly decent voice and I grew up with music.”

Despite his on stage appearance, Barry refused to let the kentishgazette.co.uk hear his dulcet tones: “You must be joking, I’m not going to sing with a sore throat, you’ll have to come and see one of Paul’s shows for that!”

• Audio: Barry McGuigan talks to Adam Williams about his cameo appearence with Paul Carrack >>>

Barry is currently travelling the country filming a documentary for UKTV’s My Brilliant Britain series on how tea first came to the country: “I drink about 10 cups a day and I don’t drink alcohol, so that’s my tipple.

“I just wanted to find out more about it and how important a role it played industrially in everyday life.”