Almost 350 people have joined a Facebook group entitled We Want Noddy Holder to Rejoin Slade. Die-hard fans are calling for Walsall-born Noddy to re-join original bandmates Jim Lea, Dave Hill and Don Powell for one last gig. Group founder Mark Taylor, of Shepherd’s Bush, London, describes Wolverhampton-based Slade as “one of the greatest live bands to ever come out of the UK”.

The campaign has only been going for four days and he predicts thousands will eventually add their name to it.

Postman Mr Taylor, aged 41, has been a Slade fan since he was five. He also writes for a music website in his spare time. “I’ve never seen them live but it would mean the world to me and many others to see them back together,” he said.Noddy has long retired from the music scene and was unavailable for comment today, while bassist Jim Lea has a solo career.

Earlier this month, Noddy hailed Rage Against the Machine’s triumph over X Factor winner Joe McElderry in the race for the Christmas number one.

Speaking at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium, the 63-year-old said the band had made the charts more interesting.

The Black Country rock legends have most recently been honoured by having a room named after them at Wolverhampton’s newest music venue. The relocated Little Civic, in Broad Street, will be home to the Slade Rooms from this weekend.