Many of you will recall that he compiled the 'My Top Ten' column in the paper from1997 to 2001, until he ran out of people who he could "bully into doing it".

A self-proclaimed musical connoisseur, Joe has, for weeks, fought the urge to pen an updated version of his own favourite songs.

He said: "I have been mightily impressed with the way my colleague, Lorna McKay has reinvented to column but feel that some of the song choices have not been to my liking. Therefore, it is with great reluctance that I list below my current list of favourite tracks in an effort to offer guidance to the Ballymena/Antrim public."

My Top 10

1. Somewhere in the Night – Shakin' Stevens - Shakin' Stevens is, was and always will be my favourite pop singer and this track is taken from his great new album, 'Now Listen'. I remember sitting listening to all his records as a five-year old and realising they were marvellous. I was born with CP and therefore didn't walk until quite late, my mum and all the physiotherapists scratched their heads wondering what to do. Eventually, someone thought, "Let's play some Shaky music and get him to dance up and down the parallel bars to it!' It worked, sheer genius!

2. '39 – Queen - Not one of the best known Queen songs but one which first appeared on their 'Night At The Opera' album. It is a cheerful ditty which tells the story of a man who heads off in a silver spaceship to discover new planets. He manages to do this only to return to earth and discover that the people he left behind are 100 years older. An unusual story, told by the greatest band ever to set foot on a stage; their comeback tour a couple of years ago was brilliant, even without Freddie Mercury.

3. Life's A Gas – Marc Bolan & T-Rex - This guy was nothing less than a bona fide musical genius, whose life was tragically cut short when a mini in with he was passenger crash in the early hours of September 16, 1977. Thankfully, he left us with endless classic recordings as proof of his magical talent. 'New' material is released on a regular basis. However, this balled in taken from his 1971 album, 'The Electric Warrior'.

4. Prince Charming – Adam Ant - Times Deputy Editor, Karen Fullerton once told me that she won a copy of the album at a school disco, only to take it back the next day and exchange it for Hits '81. A bizarre error on her part given Mr. Ant's musical prowess, I will not make the same mistake. This song includes the unforgettable lyric, 'ridicule is nothing to be scared of', something Adam would later prove in his battle with bi-polar syndrome. Happily, he's in recovery and a new album may be on the cards. Well done, Adam!

5. A Million Love Songs – Take That - On Friday, October 12, I fulfilled a long-standing ambition to see the band live; that desire was first kindled when I heard this song on 1992. It is a genuine classic, up there with 'Careless Whisper' and 'If Your Not The One' as a modern masterpiece. Enough said.

6. Consuming Fire – Worship Ireland - As a Christian, I enjoy listening to contemporary worship pieces and this is a song which I first heard a couple of years ago on a CD given to me by the Worship Ireland praise group. I have played it virtually every day since because it is so uplifting and reminds me that even though I let him down everyday, God never fails me.

7. Too Many Broken Hearts – Jason Donovan - Guilty pleasure time now! I was a child of the Kylie 'n' Jason era and loved Neighbours and all their music. I recently met Jason after his gig at the Waterfront Hall in May. He was a gentleman as well as a good singer!

8. Rio – Duran Duran - An Eighties gem with a great video to boot! I have been to a number of concerts but the memory of the entire crowd dancing as one to this song which closed their 2005 gig at Belfast's Odyssey Arena is something I won't forget. I sang so loud that I could be heard 'from mountains in the north down to the Rio Grande!'

9. Sweet Little Mystery – Wet, Wet, Wet - I will see Marti and his mates for a third time at Christmas and cannot wait. They are a fantastic pop band with great charisma and songs to match. 'Sweet Little Mystery' is my favourite but 'Gipsy Girl', Angel Eyes' or 'Morning' at not far behind.

10. Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) – The Darkness - The supposed 'new Queen' who now seem to have vanished as quickly as they appeared. They did leave behind one or two good songs though, including this one which was held off the Christmas number one slot three or four years ago by a truly dire cover of 'Mad World.' A miscarriage of justice!

How do your Top 10 songs compare? Send your Top 10 to lorna.mckay@jpress.co.uk Those chosen for pubclication will receive a £10 HMV voucher