Slade fan Gary Morgan thought he was the victim of a prank when he got a phone call from Noddy Holder, the glam rock group’s lead singer.
Noddy rang Gary to tell him he had won a papier mâché sculpture of the music legend.
It was the prize in a raffle run by East Cheshire Hospice where Noddy and wife Suzan are patrons.
Gary, a retired airport ground handling boss, said: “I thought it was a wind up when Noddy called.
Gary Morgan adds his Noddy Holder raffle prize to his Manchester City memorabilia.
“My wife and daughter had gone out shopping and I was sat on the sofa with my headphones on loading up Slade songs when my phone began vibrating in my pocket.
“I didn’t recognise the number and this voice said, ‘Hello Gary, it’s Noddy Holder here.’
“I thought it was a wind up, but I knew his voice and that it was really him.
“I was bowled over and couldn’t believe it when Noddy told me I’d won the raffle.”
Gary had seen Noddy on television promoting the competition.
Noddy Holder with the sculpture of himself.
He said: “I’ve been a huge Slade fan all my life so my interest was piqued when I saw Noddy and his wife on BBC news one morning. At the end of the interview, they said raffle tickets were £10.
Gary said: “I bought two and didn’t think anything more about it. It didn’t matter whether I won or not as the money was for a good cause.”
The model has now pride of place in Gary’s living room.
He said: “It’s underneath my big TV in a Perspex case with a brass plate situated next to my Kevin De Bruyne signed boot and signed Manchester City ball.
“The model is fabulous. I’m amazed how someone can make a little sculpture look so like the character – it couldn’t be anyone but Noddy.
“I was telling Noddy how I skipped school in April 1974 to see Slade perform at Kings Hall in Manchester and he remembered that concert. I saw them perform three times.”
“It was a wonderful surprise to receive the call.”
The competition raised £10,200 for the Hospice.
Renowned artist Patty Callaghan created the sculpture of Noddy, complete with his guitar.
The work is called Cum on Feel The Noize, the title of the group’s No 1 record in 1973.
