Why do we like to be by the seaside? Apart from the sun (occasionally) and donkey-strewn sand, it is the ‘end-of-the-pier’ stand-ups who stand out. These staples of summer seasons still populate the nation’s collective memory so we thought we’d bring together some of the greats for our Summer Comedy Special.
The Cannon and Ball Show was an ITV stalwart in the 1970s and 1980s, and more recently the double act behind it Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball have become titans of the British panto scene…
They say: “It was recently Tommy’s birthday and he and his wife were having a posh private do in a lovely village hall near York. The invite was for ‘black tie and evening dress’, with all friends and family invited.
“Tommy asked Bobby to ask their close friend and fellow comedian Johnnie Casson to come along as they could both travel together as they live Blackpool way. Bobby had spent weeks setting the evening up for Johnnie and made sure that he didn’t receive the printed invite which read ‘black tie’.
“On arrival at the hotel where Bobby, Johnnie and others were staying, Bobby told Johnnie that his taxi would be at 7pm as the car Bobby and co were travelling in at 6.50pm was full.
