DAVID Essex was at a Southampton book store today to sign copies of his first ever novel Faded Glory.

But unlike the title of his book, the adulation of his fans showed no sign of diminishing even after 45 years at the top.

With a queue snaking round the shop and out the door, around 300 people bought books at the WH Smith Above Bar store where the pop superstar and actor took time to chat and have pictures with every one of them.

The Rock On singer even recorded personal messages on phones and fussed over babies brought along by generations of fans.

The event, which follows his performance at Mayflower Theatre last month on his final ever concert tour, was to promote Faded Glory which is a powerful drama, set in east London. In it a washed-up boxer takes a troubled youngster, Danny, under his wing, attracting the attention of the criminal underworld.

As Danny begins to grow into a champion boxer, the predators start to circle, luring him with glittering promises back into a life of crime in the corrupt world of match fixing.

David Essex, 69, grew up in London’s east end, not long after the Second World War ended, and the book is partly based on his own experiences of those times.

His big career break came in 1971 when he was cast as the lead - Jesus Christ - in West End hit Godspell.

A pop career soon followed with hits like Rock On, Gonna Make You A Star, Hold Me Close, Oh What A Circus, Silver Dream Machine and A Winter's Tale.

He's had a successful film career too, notable movies including That'll Be The Day, Stardust and Silver Dream Racer, and he has continued to perform in the theatre, with starring in roles including Che Guevara in Evita and his self-penned musical All the Fun of the Fair.

Strolling into the shop dressed in flat cap, trench coat and jeans, he was greeted by cheers and applause before sitting down to sign every single person's book.

Physically shaking after meeting her idol, Karen Whitaker, 58, from Southampton, brought her daughter Stacey Birkett, 37, along. She gave David a drawing she had done of him as a teenager to sign.

"I've waited 44 years to get that close to him. I use to get in trouble at school for plastering him all over my books. I told him my father comes from Cork in Ireland where his grandfather is from- that's why he has such beautiful blue eyes!"

Carol Morrell, 54,  from Salisbury brought her seven month old granddaughter Thea to meet David and the dad of five - who has a baby son called Sonny with third wife Susan Hallam-Wright, 43 - took time to play with her. Carol said: "I've been a fan always!"

Karen Woodman, 55, from Fareham said: "I've been a fan since I was 15 and it's wonderful to see him. I've met him a few times and he's such a gentleman. He's so much a part of his fans' lives. We love him - he's a lovely guy!"

Hayley Hammond, from Worthing, had brought a book for him to sign as well as a birthday card for her mum and explained: "My mum has always been a fan and that rubbed off on me - so much so that as a child I named our guinea pig David Essex! I was always listening to his music."

Sue Prior, 64, from Fareham said: "I've been a fan since the year dot. We've met many times. He's such a lovely person and brilliant entertainer and he's always got time for his fans."

Vicky Hart, 38, from Hedge End had brought her six-week-old baby Eleanor to meet him dressed in a Santa outfit: "I'm a massive fan and now Eleanor has her picture with him I will inflict his music on her too!"

Talking about how well the book has been received David told the Daily Echo: "It's a wonderful reaction. It's been surprising."

So how had the idea for a novel come about and how difficult was it to write?

"It started off as a film idea and because of the success of the last books (the poetry and two autobiographies) the publishers asked me to put it into a book.

"The characters kind of took over and had a life of their own. It's all set in the area I grew up in where characters floated about and as I wrote it the characters led me down different routes and areas I never knew. It's not autobiographical - it's all fictitious.

"Writing it came quite naturally, as it was like writing song lyrics. It’s about fame, family and growing up in the East End after the war."

Such has been it's success, already that the publishers have asked him to write more fiction.

And the question every David Essex fan is asking: "Was it really your final concert tour given that artists like Rod Stewart and the Rolling Stones are continuing into their 70's?"

"It was my final solo tour but I will be doing other stuff. It was incredible and very emotional and it was very moving the way people reacted."

As for his plans for the future he says: "Maybe another book and I'm considering a film at the moment. I'm always being offered stuff. I've been offered five West End shows in the last three months. I wish they would leave me alone."

So although it's been reported he wants to send more time with his family he laughs at any suggestion he might be a stay-at-home dad.

"That's not going to happen ...I have five kids to support!"