Interview: Bobby King

1:16pm Friday 8th August 2008

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His first taste of the spotlight was on Christmas day in 1930... and 78 years on, Bobby King is still performing for laughs. We spoke to the Todmorden-born octogenarian comedian.

COMEDIAN Bobby King says he”s not yet decided on the routine he”ll perform for the audience at Blackburn”s Thwaites Empire Theatre during his slot at next weekend”s Command Performance variety show.

“I”ll think of something,” he says.

It shouldn”t be a problem — for he has more than seven decades of material to draw from.

Bobby, who will celebrate his 87th birthday at the end of the month, is one of Britain”s oldest comedians.

“I”ve no plans to give up,” he says. “I”m going to carry on as long as my memory lasts and as long as I can drive and get about.”

Explaining how he keeps going at such a ripe old age, Bobby, who now lives in Blackley, Manchester, is philosophical.

“I think it”s down to good luck,” he says. “A lot of young fellas drop down dead. They”re not overweight, they”re not unhealthy. I just think when your time comes you die, no matter what you do, although I don”t smoke and I don”t drink, so maybe that has helped me.”

Bobby gives a hint of what may be included in the show, which celebrates 10 years of the theatre”s “Twenty Year Dream” appeal for funds to create the Thwaites Empire Theatre. The fund raised the £800,000 needed in just seven years.

“I might sing a couple of comedy numbers, or I might do my old man character, Albert Shufflebottom,” he says.

“I was in my 40s when I started doing him, so I”ve been doing it more than 40 years. When I can do it without make-up I”ll chuck it in!”

As well as being one of Britain”s longest-standing comedians, Bobby is also billed as “Britain”s cleanest comedian” and he admits he finds many modern-day performers in bad taste.

“My act is suitable for all ages. I can be saucy but I would never swear. I don”t consider wearing funny anyway. I don”t agree with it all. I think it”s a generation thing and my generation don”t tend to like it. I just think it”s nasty.”

Bobby has worked on the amateur scene for years, performing in plays and music halls.

“I have always loved theatre,” he said. “Since I saw pantomime for the first time aged eight I knew I wanted to be on stage. If it was a choice of cinema or theatre I”d pick theatre every time. Of course, it”s so expensive nowadays though.”

Some of his favourite memories come from a 1992 tour of the play Turned Out Nice Again, about the life of George Formby.

“We opened at the Grand in Blackpool and toured around Southport and a lot of the resorts. That was a highlight for me.”

* See Bobby King in Thwaites Empire Theatre”s Command Performance on Sunday, August 17, 7.30pm. Tickets £10. Call box office on 01254 685500.