Stock-On Tommy ...
Photo taken by: Jack Lord Jnr.
THE astonishing 50 year showbiz career of
Cannon and Ball began when two factory
welders from Oldham, Bob Harper and
Tommy Derbyshire formed a double act as
part-time singers on the Northern Club
Circuit in the 60s. Bobby was a natural
comedian and as their act merged as a
comedy duo, Cannon & Ball set off to win
over the affections of the British public.
In 1968, their first chance of fame was
shattered when they came last after
appearing on Opportunity Knocks. Back to
the clubs for another ten years when their
dogged perseverance brought them their
first big break on Bruce Forsyth’s Big Night
and in 1979 they were offered their own
show on prime time TV. You could say an
overnight success but it took 20 years to
get it.
Their Saturday show lasted a decade
which was followed with the sitcom spinoff
Plaza Patrol. Other work included guest
appearances on top TV shows including
Parkinson, Wogan, Des O'Connor and at
the Royal Variety shows. They've travelled
the Globe with their act and even cut a
record but perhaps most astonishingly of
all, they made a full-length feature film, The
Boys in Blue in 1982 which also featured
Eric Sykes, Roy Kinnear, Jon Pertwee and
Suzanne Danielle.
The fact that they've been in demand for so
12
long is a testimony to their popularity.
At the beginning of August, MD Glenn and
his wife Dawn popped along to ask Bobby
about his days when he drove a stock car.
Can we take you back to one of your
most memorable moments, certainly for
me, and that is your appearance in Mark
Holt’s stock car at the hight of your
career in the early 80s?
Yes certainly, I only ever did it once and it
frightened me to death. It started out when
Stu Smith asked me if I wanted a go and I
said yes definitely, and the next news
they’d got me a drive. It was a great
experience and I really enjoyed it. I put on
a bit of a show you know, to make it look
good.
Here you are, a picture of you in Mark
Holt’s car.
What a great night, Can I keep the photo? I
am trying to think how it came about and I
think it was down to a friend of mine Mark,
who lent me his car. I'm not sure how they
organised it as there’s no way the TV
company would have let me drive back
then. Maybe they didn’t know!
Well the drive nearly didn’t happen
because the insurance company flatly
refused to cover you. But the drivers
came up with a plan to stage a demoonly race. However, as the drivers got
onto the track, which should have just
been for a few laps, the cheeky sods
gave you more than you bargained for
and they started knocking and bumping
you about.
Oh that’s right. Wow, it was certainly fun
and I remember giving Stu Smith a few
digs of my own when I realised what was
going on. It all came about when a guy
who worked at the club offered me the use
of his car. I called him Gay Marco, I wonder
if he remembers.
I spoke to Mark yesterday, he
remembers it well. The fans still talk
about this on the forums. Would you
do it again?
I would yes, without a doubt. Can you get it
sorted, ha ha! Without a doubt now if
someone offered me a drive I would. Shall I
leave it with you Glenn? Definitely if you
can get it sorted I’d have a go.
You can see them both performing
with their classic style commedy act
at THE GRAND THEATRE,
BLACKPOOL
showing until November 2012.
Tel: 0844 840 8104