John Shuttleworth interview

Thursday 6th November 2008

Natalie Hale talks to king of the keyboard, John Shuttleworth.

As one of the Daily Telegraph’s 50 Reasons To Love Britain, John Shuttleworth, the ex-security guard and versatile singer/ organist from Sheffield, is a national institution, like Countdown and Spam.

In his time, John has taken on the Eurovision Song Contest, sung the praises of crab paste and lamented the removal of the cardboard strip from the Bounty bar. Now, in his first national outing since last year’s sell-out tour, With My Condiments, he’s back on the road with The Minor Tour (And Other Mythological Creatures).

Shuttleworth is, of course, the hugely popular comic creation of Graham Fellows. With his slicked-back hair, roll-neck top, slacks and sports jacket, Shuttleworth was an instant hit and has been at the forefront of the public consciousness since he was first spawned some 20 years ago.
The award-winning character has had a TV series, presented a radio show, released a documentary film and has toured extensively.

The Minor Tour (And Other Mythological Creatures) sees John celebrating the strange, the mystical, and indeed, the mythological – but not for too long, as he’s promised wife Mary that he’ll be back home soon for DIY duties.

That’s why it’s a “Minor” tour – as in a short tour – though John’s agent, Ken Worthington, fired up by a visit to a museum during a recent holiday in Greece, has other ideas. He wants John to dress up as a “minotaur”, and when a late panto offer for John comes through, Ken may have his
wish granted.

“It’s not a good time to tour,” sighs John. “There’s a number of DIY jobs outstanding. I’ve been delayed this year by the big increase in junk mail, which all has to be read and filed. The home delivery pizza leaflets are particularly distracting with photographs of the glistening 15-inch pepperoni meat feast.

“My agent, Ken Worthington, says The Minor Tour is to do with Greek mythology. But it’s only called that so I can get home and do my DIY before Christmas. I don’t like those stories – Medusa with snakes coming out of her head, it’s a bit unsanitary.”

As well as his musings on mythology and middle-aged frailty, the comedy synthesiser-player and twaddle-talker will be performing his classic songs on his trusty Yamaha organ, including Pigeons In Flight, I Can’t Go Back To Savoury Now, Eggs And Gammon and Two Margarines.
He will also thrill audiences with a clutch of hilarious new songs  including One Cup Of Tea Is Never Enough – And Two Is One Too Many and Busy Day, in which John explains how he has “lost count of the number of times I’ve reheated my tea in the microwave”.

John says: “It was terrible. This bin liner was slipping repeatedly off the edge of the bin, stopping me finishing my tea. Eventually I discovered there was a heavy avocado stone that kept pulling it down.”

And if that wasn’t enough, fans will be treated to a sneak preview of John’s new feature film, Southern Softies. The film, scheduled to be released next summer, is a follow-up to It’s Nice Up North, his exploration of the Shetland Isles, Britain’s northernmost extremity.

“It seemed sensible to explore if southerners are soft,” explains John. “Geoff Capes is a rufty-tufty northerner, but Charles Hawtrey was from the south. You see the way I’m thinking?”

Over the years, John has been joined by a growing cast of Fellows-voiced ancillary characters such as wife Mary and daughter Karen. For his latest tour, he is joined by tyrannical manager and next-door neighbour Ken Worthington, flashy Goole concreter Dave Tordoff and Brian Appleton, the Birmingham-born musicologist.

“I‘m not overly fond of Brian Appleton, but he lends me his microphone stand, which is why he has to be on the tour,”  explains John. “He’s arrogant, he thinks he’s changed rock history. He hasn’t, what did he do for Racey? The Dooleys even?”

John Shuttleworth is still a great joke, and despite the character’s many years in existence, he’s rejuvenated on this return to the stage. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Shuttleworth and co on top form – and with Christmas coming, you may even be lucky enough to meet Santa and his elf Sparkle.

John Shuttleworth appears at the Tobacco Factory, Raleigh Road, Southville, on Sunday, November 16. The show is sold out, but call 0117 902 0344 for returns.