A Largs singer and songwriter who co-wrote one of the biggest smash hits of the legendary singer Tina Turner's career receives an honorary mention in the musical celebration of the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".

Graham Lyle, who wrote 'What's Love Got to Do With It', with pal Terry Britten, was mentioned in the second act of the major West End production which has received critical acclaim, and was even watched by Tina herself when it first came to stage in 2018.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:  Aldwych Theatre in London Aldwych Theatre in London (Image: Newsquest)

In fact the world famous song is a major plot point during the show after Tina has arrived at Apple Studios in London and is looking to re-launch her career during the 1980s - when the song is offered to her by the agency - and the rest, as they say, is history.

As we reported last week, tributes were paid to Tina Turner following her death - but the sad news has brought back to the fore the story of how Largs man Graham penned one of her most famous songs.

Not only was 'What's Love Got to Do with it' offered to Sir Cliff Richard, but it was rejected by his advisers, before being offered to British pop group Bucks Fizz who recorded it, but did not release it.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Graham Lyle receives honorable mention in Tina Turner The Musical.Graham Lyle receives honorable mention in Tina Turner The Musical. (Image: Newsquest)

However, the gifted Largs songwriter insisted that he always wanted Turner to record it, and said in a News interview in 2012: "We sent the demo to the publishers and got at least four people wanting to record it. Tina was one of them. We were given the opportunity as the writers to say which artist we wanted to record it.

“I wanted Tina to do it. She was one of the greats, though she was having a tough time and didn’t even have a record deal.” 

The classic song was inducted into the Grammys’ Hall of Fame in Los Angeles, making it the third single by Tina Turner to be inducted after ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ and ‘Proud Mary’.

Making the number one spot in America and number three in the UK, ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ marked Turner’s comeback in 1984 and was her biggest hit since the '70s, later becoming the title of her biopic.

The song made Rolling Stone magazine’s list of ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time’, and received three prizes at the 1985 Grammy Awards - Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:  Aldwych Theatre - Graham Lyle receives honorary mention in musical celebrating Tina Turner's career Aldwych Theatre - Graham Lyle receives honorary mention in musical celebrating Tina Turner's career (Image: Newsquest)

The theatre show at Aldwych Theatre in London takes the audience on a journey as Tina recovers her career after a tumultuous marriage to her first husband Ike - and subsequent revival in sensational fashion.

Tina made a rare public appearance to attend the premiere of Tina: The Musical at London's Aldwych Theatre in 2018 - and helped in the selection process of  Katrina Love, who is currently playing the iconic singer in the story about her life on the West End stage.

Before each show over recent days, the cast have paid tribute to Tina Turner on stage before a minute's silence in memory of the legendary singer.