Luciano Pavarotti's first ever recording is set to be released nearly 50 years after he made his British Tv debut on variety show Sunday Night At The London Palladium.

The opera singer's performance was locked away in his personal archives, but his widow unearthed the music and has decided to let the world hear it.

Che Gelida Manina, which translates as Your Tiny Hand Is Frozen, will be included on an album of the Italian tenor's 50 best tracks to be released in October (13).

His widow Nicoletta Mantovani says, "It is so wonderful that (record label) Decca is keeping Luciano's memory alive in this way, particularly with the celebration of this momentous anniversary."

Pavarotti lost his battle with cancer in 2007.