WIRRAL musician Dean Johnson made himself the envy of Beatles fans when he was asked to complete a song written by George Harrison.

The Oxton-based singer/songwriter was invited to put the finishing touches to a fragment of Silence (Is Its Own Reply), written by the late guitarist at the height of the band's fame in the 1960s.

The original ten lines were given to the Fab Four's biographer Hunter Davies by Harrison for inclusion in a biography, which was published at the time.

The lyrics, which seem to hint at an uneasy relationship between George and bandmate John Lennon, were put aside and forgotten about until they were recently rediscovered. They will appear in the book, when it is republished next month.

Dean was asked by Radio Merseyside presenter Spencer Leigh to finish the song in the spirit in which George had started it.

The finished song was performed live during an interview with Hunter on Spencer's 'On The Beat' radio show earlier this month.

Dean, 49, who will open several shows for Beatles' hero Chuck Berry this autumn, told the Globe: "It's a huge honour to have played a part in something that will become part of Beatles' history.

"I had about two days to finish the song and read everything I could about the band. It gave me more of an insight into George's personality and how he worked.

"He took his music very seriously and was the first in the band to get into the spiritual side of things.

"I just tried by my best ability to get into the mind of someone in George's position and I am so pleased that most people who have heard it, think I achieved a credible continuity with the original lyrics."

Hunter Davies had asked each of the bandmembers to submit a sample of their handwriting and when re-examining these papers he came upon the remarkable discovery.

Recalling the day he received a message from Spencer on his answerphone, Dean continued: "I called him back and when he said he would like me to work on George's unfinished song I found it an unbelievable, tremendously exciting and above all a complete honour. My brief was to follow George's sentiment through to its conclusion.

"The words were both brutally honest and compassionate. Harrison was obviously writing from the heart."

Looking to the future, Dean said: "I'm not sure where the song could go from here. I would quite like to record it at some point, but obviously that sort of thing could only be done with the blessing of George's widow, Olivia, first. It may never happen, but you don't know.

"If it was recorded, proceeds from record sales would have to go to George's charity, which helps people in Bangladesh."

It's been a busy year for Dean, who was the opening act for guitar legend Albert Lee's tour in April.

Dean has been in the music business for 25 years and is due to release a best of album, Animosity International is due this autumn.

Updates are available by visiting the link below.

He is also planning to hold songwriting workshops and would like to hearing from people interested in taking part. If you are interested, email: deanjohnsonmusic@hotmail.com