Marc Almond is joined by his friend and record producer Tris Pena for the second episode in a three part series exploring the world of torch songs and torch singers.

It was once said that a torch singer had to be woman but in this programme Marc plays music from a selection of the finest male performers to tackle the torch song, including Frank Sinatra's rendition of 'I'm A Fool To Want You'. Marc says: 'It's said that Ava Gardner, who was one of the big loves of his life, taught him how to sing a torch song.'

Marc and Tris discuss why torch songs were originally only recorded by female singers. Tris says: 'The idea of masculinity was very rigid and any show of emotion was a sign of weakness.' Proving men can carry a torch song Marc plays tracks from Mario Lanza, Johnny Mathis and Mel Torme as well as his own version of 'The Shadow of Your Smile.'

There's a step change in the second part of tonight's programme as Marc and Tris play torch songs designed to get you up and dance through the tears as we hear songs from Yvonne Elliman, The Supremes and Gloria Gaynor. Marc says: 'If you put a torch song to a dance beat it becomes an anthem of survival.'

Produced by Ashley Byrne and Kurt Brookes

A Made in Manchester Production for BBC Radio 2. Show less