Hawkes inspired by Lennon's piano

Rex Features

Chesney Hawkes has revealed that a piano once owned by John Lennon helped inspire his new album.

The singer, who scored a number one hit with 1991 single 'The One And Only', said he used the instrument while working on LP Another Fine Mess.

Hawkes' dad Chip, a singer with '60s band The Tremeloes, was given the piano by Lennon's Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr.

The 36-year-old said: "Just sitting there with [it] is inspiring. There is something about it. To me it's like an older brother. It's been there all my life."

He described the album, which took eight years to complete, as a "labour of love".