HOLLY Johnson sipped a cup of coffee looked around the walls of the Museum of Liverpool and said in his distinctive Scouse accent:  "It's so nice to be back."

And adding a frequently used local phrase: "I'm made up."

He acknowledged that he was in great home-grown, iconic company: Gerry Marsden; John Lennon and Ken Dodd have all been honoured with a full exhibition in the Museum of Liverpool.

Now it's The Holly Johnson Story.

It was originally just called 'Holly' but the 'Story' aspect does add extra gravitas and tells the bigger picture of one of Merseyside's most influential musicians, artists and LGBTQ+ trailblazers.

"I'm still telling the story," he says with a laugh.

For fans of Frankie Goes to Hollywood and their charismatic lead singer's solo career, the memories will come flooding back in a highly-entertaining, bright and breezy display that is awash with colour, humour and inter-active attractions.

You can listen on headphones to his music, watch video footage and see early controversial black and white images of the Frankies.

There are newspaper headlines adorning the walls and quotes from Holly during his journey from a flat in Toxteth to Hollywood and back.

You can also leave a message on small cardboard T-shirts which are then pinned on a noticeboard.

Carry on Relax-ing, indeed.

It's perfect timing - 40 years since Welcome To the Pleasuredome received classic status.

Three number one singles came from the Trevor Horn-produced album.

Relax is still on radio playlists across the globe and it has appeared in many Hollywood films and TV dramas; 

Two Tribes certainly re-ignited creative pop videos and  The Power of Love is now an established festive favourite.

"That song's for life - not just for. Christmas."

Holly says the first time he saw the finished exhibition it felt like he had won the  National Lottery.

It has been put together by Homotopia, Duovision Arts, National Museums Liverpool and Holly himself.

"It's a team effort. I loaned my original stuff and now here it is all together in one place.

"What's not to like?"

Finishing his coffee and a slice of his favourite Battenburg cake, he is ready for another reflective muse.

"I am very happy when I look around at the exhibits. It  really does capture what was happening at the time and since then."

The 65-year-old star is as sharp, witty and as self-effacing as ever.

It's certainly been a productive few years for the singer- songwriter born William Johnson.

He recalls it was a struggle at first starting out.

"I would sit in my sister's bedroom and listen to Sgt Pepper and realise that these lads were proof you could do things like music and art.

"That it was possible thanks to the Beatles.

"The cover by Peter Blake inspired me as well with my painting."

Holly knew what he wanted to be and David Bowie helped change perceptions along the way.

Holly was a boy who stood out at school who looked and acted differently.

"I would take refuge in the Walker At Gallery - during lunch times from the Collegiate School."

He worked hard at cracking the music scene in 80s -  playing gigs at Eric's in Mathew Street with Big in Japan with life-long friends Jayne Casey and Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seeds 

Frankie Goes To Hollywood gave him the platform he needed.

Solo success and respect in the art world also followed. 

He has presented the Turner Prize  at St George's Hall

He has presented an audience- winning BBC Radio series and sold out two nights at the Liverpool Phil and in August he headlined a concert at the Pier Head.

And next June 21 he is playing the M&S Arena - one of six  dates on a Welcome to the Pleasure Dome 40th anniversary tour.

Last year along with the original Frankies he wowed audiences at Eurovision.

There are no plans for a permanent reunion - he's happy being solo.

"On stage I play what fans want to hear. Not obscure, random  tracks or b-sides.

"I started performing again in the Rewind Festival in 2010 - so it's been 14 years now. I love playing Liverpool and anywhere in Ireland.

"I did my DNA during lockdown and discovered I am 66 per cent Irish.

"I still love performing. I do believe for a long period after I announced I was HIV Positive that I was cancelled by a lot of people.

"The phone never rang...."

He says he is putting together a new album of songs that mean a lot to him.

Any Beatles?

"Oh no. I might do a John Lennon song, though. I am planning some new songs of my own, too. 

"It's all very stop and start with me."

For now Holly John is happy to see his life (so far) on show to fans of all ages.

One of the displays is a giant picture used on the cover of his critically-acclaimed biography A Bone in My Flute.

It may even be a film one day.

 'I've signed an option for a dramatisation,' he says.

And why not - he has a great tale to tell just like Queen and Elton whose biographies appealed to 80s music lovers.

Now Boy George and Rod Stewart are also lined up for big screen mortality.

Holly was always a natural in front of camera and he says he loved appearing as himself  in the TV comedy Benidorm.

"I filmed two days and spent a week. The best job ever."

He is friends with its fellow Liverpudlian star Tony Maudsley now of Coronation Street fame.

Holly praises the Museum of Liverpool curators for bringing together his life and career under one roof.

Featured in the 'must see' collection are unique items from Holly's diverse career spanning four decades including world famous costumes from Leigh Bowery and Vivienne Westwood.

Frankie memorabilia feature alongside newspaper headlines and real life accounts of people like Holly who describe life living with HIV.

There is a lot of fun throughout remembering Top of the Pops appearances with and without Frankie.

Pics of Holly with Andy Warhol two decades ago and some of the paintings that are straight from the house he shares in London with partner Wolfgang.

It is pure nostalgia but a very real story of someone who loves life.

He hasn't changed a bit since I first met him in 1994.

So does he have a motto in life - His ever-supportive Mum who is 90 this November always gives give him advice.

He looks around at The Holly Johnson Story and smiles  a satisfied smile again.

"Make love your goal . . .  yeah, that's about it."

Verdict

Exhibition  5 Stars 

Holly Daze 

The Holly Johnson Story at the Museum of Liverpool  runs until Sunday 27 July 2025.  

For more information and to book your tickets, visit: https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/museum-of-liverpool/exhibition/holly-johnson-story 

Holly Johnson on tour M and S Arena June 21, 2025.