The smoking ban has done terrible damage to the karma of rock stars used to wielding cigarettes on stage.

But now Richard Hawley, the rocker from Sheffield nominated for the Mercury Prize, has found a way around the ban with a “live” performance in the 3-D environment of Second Life, the virtual world that operates its own currency, industry – and public health rules.

Hawley’s fans, who created their own digital characters, or “avatars”, to attend the performance, saw the singer’s movements digitally captured from a session in a Manchester studio.

To the singer’s satisfaction, the digital Hawley was able to light up and rest his virtual cigarette in an ashtray on top of his amp, apeing his real movements in the studio. His avatar fans could follow suit, as Hawley performed a selection of folk and country classics.

“There is probably a Second Life government who will give me a Second Life fine but that’s too bad,” said Hawley, 40, who admits that he was “impressed” to see his home recreated on Second Life, complete with his jukebox and copies of the Sheffield Star. “I’m still trying to get my head around my first life, never mind a second one,” he said.

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