Fabrizio misses welcome-back party

The huge crowd that gathered at Bay Street yesterday was hugely disappointed that Fabrizio Faniello was too sick to attend a welcome-back party, which had been organised for both him and Keith Camilleri.

Speculation was rife that this could be merely an excuse not to share the stage with Keith, who formed part of the group representing Switzerland in the Eurovision. However, there seemed to be no bad blood between the two singers and they chatted like old friends during a live link-up on stage, organised by Bay Street group marketing manager Martin Sapiano.

The crowd cheered and clapped loudly, chanting his name when Mr Sapiano attempted to put Fabrizio through to the loudspeaker. "It's such a pity he couldn't make it, but he called me in the morning to say he had very high fever. We kept calling him until the last minute, in the hope he'd get better, but no such luck," Mr Sapiano said.

The past week there had been a rift between the two singers' camps - the Maltasong board and Grace Borg, who was supporting Keith - over who was truly representing Malta, and this is what led to the initial suspicions.

Bay Street, which was organising the party for the two singers, felt it should not cancel the event at the last minute and went ahead so as not to further disappoint the crowd.

Mr Sapiano announced that Bay Street will be honouring Keith with his place on the complex's walk of fame, alongside other popular personalities.