"How it feels to return to Sheffield's Fiesta nightclub, 50 years on..."

“People came down the stairs to the reception desk, here,” she says, turning to indicate a spot behind her, then glances off to an empty space to her right, adding: “And the stairs that led up to the cabaret room were right here.”

I can see the years dropping away as Di looks around thoughtfully, taking in the space that was once Sheffield’s Fiesta nightclub: the biggest club in Europe during the 1970s.

“It’s amazing,” smiles the club’s former receptionist, with a shake of her head.

“I was in this place 18 hours a day, every day of the week for five years, it was a huge part of my life, but I haven’t set foot in here in 44 years.”

It’s exactly 50 years this month since the Fiesta opened its doors, in August 1970.

Over the next decade, some of the very biggest performers from across the globe would visit the Sheffield club, famous for its 1,300 seat amphitheatre and chicken-in-a-basket special.

Stevie Wonder, The Beach Boys, Olivia Newton-John and the Jackson Five were among the big name musicians that enjoyed week-long residencies, as well as comedians including Les Dawson Tommy Cooper, and Bruce Forsythe.

From her place on the reception desk in the club’s foyer, ‘Little Di’ - as she was known to many - would get the chance to meet them all.

It was a dream job for an 18-year-old Sheffield girl.

“Best job I ever had,” she confirms.

“I’d work on reception from 9am to 5pm or 6pm, helping the artists get settled in their dressing rooms, and bringing them food and drinks, or whatever else they might need.

“I’d go home after my shift, get showered and changed, and head back out to the Fiesta, to watch the acts with my friends.

“I did that every day, often watching the same act six times over the week.

“I was here 18 hours a day, and I absolutely loved it.”

Di even enjoyed a romance with the lead guitarist of The Four Seasons, Demetri Callas, after meeting him at Fiesta.

“He was lovely, and towered above me at 6”4,” laughs Di, who describes herself as ‘five foot and a flea.’

“We were together for about two years, and he was a lovely man.

“In the end though, the band was off touring all over the world, and our relationship ended up becoming about letters and phone calls, and it just fizzled out.”

Di reveals all the members of the band were absolutely lovely, especially Frankie Valli, and that there were very few acts over the years she didn’t enjoy her time with.

“Norman Wisdom was a really nice man,” says the 67-year-old.

“The Barron Knights would come out after every show and sign autographs for every single person waiting.

“The New Seekers were brilliant, and did Saturday matinee shows for local kids.

“I remember Roy Orbison was really friendly, and so was Lulu, The Four Tops, and The Temptations.

“On my 21st birthday, Del Shannon was performing, and Sheffield singer Marti Caine brought me out onstage to present me with a big gift. They rolled this big box out onstage, and Terri Clayton - who was the drummer of the resident band - jumped out of it with no trousers on!”

Marti is one artist Di remembers with particular affection .

“She was fantastic,” Di smiles.

“Really friendly with everyone, and on my 21st birthday she bought me a bottle of champagne.”

One artist who made a less favourable impression is American soul singer Jimmy Ruffin.

“He was very full of himself,” she recalls.

“He was a good artist, but really thought he was something special.

“Tommy Cooper was another one who could be difficult, he was a law unto himself.

“He’d be due onstage at 11pm and not show up until 11.30pm, after going out drinking around the city in a long jacket and cap so nobody would recognise him.

“His attitude was that he was the star, so he made the rules, and he got away with it because his act was always absolutely brilliant.

The club began its downward descent in 1976, when it was forced to close following a 17-day strike by workers who attempted to join the Transport & General Workers Union.

It reopened shortly afterwards, under new management, but according to Di, was never the same again. It closed its doors for good in 1980.

“For a little time in the 70s, Sheffield felt like the centre of the world, Fiesta was such a special place,” says Di.

“I’ve never worked anywhere else like it, and was really sad the day it closed.

“I have friends to this day that I made working there, and feel really proud I got to be a part of this fantastic piece of Sheffield history.”

Visit HERE to order the Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to 1970s Sheffield – Fiesta edition, by Neil Anderson.

What the Stars had to say about Fiesta:

- The Beach Boys: “It’s a millionnaires club, you’ve heard of Las Vegas – forget it.”

- Des O’Connor: “Way ahead of its London contemporaries.”

- Frankie Valli: “The finest club I have ever worked in.”

- The Four Tops: “This must be the best club in Europe.”