ONCE he played Madison Square Gardens, selling out five nights in a row. Now Rick Wakeman busks unnoticed on the streets of York.

This is not a hard luck story, because the legendary keyboard player was giving a pavement performance as part of a TV programme showing tonight. But it does show that York's buskers, who now have to audition to play, can have a tough time.

Never mind, Rick. Next time you should get a dog, learn how to play badly and sing out of tune. That should do it.

Updated: 10:56 Monday, January 10, 2005