The Brighton pensioner with a shrine to André Rieu who has weekly ‘date’ with him

Lily Rolfe, of Hillside Way, Moulsecoomb, has more than 100 photos of the musician, as well as a life-size cardboard cut-out.

The 80-year-old said she first fell in love with André after seeing him perform in the Royal Command Performance ten years ago.

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Since then, Lily has a weekly “date” with the Dutch violinist every Monday, when she watches one of the dozens of DVDs she has featuring the conductor.

The grandmother says she has all his major performances on CD, which she plays in her one-bedroom flat from morning until night.

The 80-year-old said she first fell in love with André after seeing him perform in the Royal Command Performance ten years ago

Lily said she also greets her life-size cut-out at the end of her bed with a “good morning” and “good night” every day.

“People visiting me always get a shock thinking I have a man in my bedroom - but he can visit my bedroom any time,” she said.

“I’d love to meet him, but I think I’d just stand and stare with my mouth open. My heart would beat so fast, but I’d love a photo of us together.”

Lily has lived alone since the passing of her husband Ronald in 1992.

Despite her love for André, she has never seen him perform live.

Lily Rolfe, from Brighton, has more than 100 photos of André Rieu

She was due to go see him in concert in Birmingham but wasn't able to attend due to Covid restrictions.

“I love everything about him - his music is so relaxing,” she said. “I also think he really cares about people, and he gives a lot to charity.

“He doesn’t like people to be late I’ve heard, and I’d be the first there every time.

“I’ve read the book about him written by his wife and it's the only book I've read since leaving school.

“I’d tell him to always carry on with his music, because it makes people happy.”

Most of Lily’s 100 photos appear on her “André wall” in her living room, which also has a violin hanging on the door.

She owns more than 50 CDs and DVDs and while outside the house, she wears a facemask featuring the musician.

“He’s smiling in all but one of my pictures - I love that about him,” she said. “I love it when he does his little Calypso dance. It really tickles me.

“I’d love to see a photo of him in his swimming trunks.”