Jasper Carrott
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Jasper Carrott | |
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![]() Carrott in 2006
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Birth name | Robert Norman Davis |
Born | Acocks Green, Birmingham, England |
14 March 1945
Medium | Stand-up, television, game show host |
Years active | 1973–2005 (singer) 1975–present (comedian) |
Spouse | Hazel Jackson (1973–present) |
Children | Lucy Davis Jenny Davis Hannah Davis Jake Davis |
Website | JasperCarrott.com |
Jasper Carrott, OBE (born Robert Norman Davis; 14 March 1945) is an English comedian, actor, television presenter, and personality.
Contents
Early life
Born in Shaftmoor Lane, Acocks Green (which he said sounded like the address for "the home of a professional rapist"),[1] in Birmingham, Carrott was educated at Acocks Green primary school and Moseley School. He worked as a trainee buyer at a city centre department store, the Beehive, with schoolmate Bev Bevan.
Career
Rise to fame
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. In February 1969 he started his own folk club, "The Boggery", in nearby Solihull with his friend Les Ward. Carrott performed folk songs and as an MC. His banter overtook the songs and he became more a comedian than singer. He also worked as a musical agent (with John Starkey, who was his manager from 1974 to 1992), as Fingimigig, managing among others Harvey Andrews. He toured UK rugby clubs. He recorded an album in 1973 called Jasper Carrot – In the Club, which he sold from his van. The album contained the original "Magic Roundabout", although mainly material used in his next three LPs (such as "Hare Krishna", "Car Insurance", "Bastity Chelt", and "Hava Nagila") plus the Fred Wedlock song "The Folker".
He had a UK Top 5 chart hit in August 1975 with the novelty record "Funky Moped", written by Chris Rohmann and produced by Jeff Lynne. The B-side was a risqué monologue parodying the children's TV series The Magic Roundabout.[2] On the Ken Bruce Show, 10 August 2015, Jasper said this was not banned by the BBC they just didn't play it, and which is widely believed[by whom?] to have contributed to its success, which in turn led to his appearance on the BBC's Top of the Pops.
By the late 1970s, Carrott had developed anecdotal sketches which he still performs 30 years on. Often they purport to be auto-biographical; many celebrate the Birmingham accent and culture, including his support of Birmingham City.
His live performances were recorded as Jasper Carrott Rabbitts on and on and on... and Carrott in Notts. Notable hits were "Bastity Chelt", a song in Spoonerism, "The Football Match" describing a visit to Old Trafford, "The Nutter on the Bus" (including the cry "Has anybody seen my camel?"), "The Mole" ("There's only one way to get rid of a mole – blow its bloody head off!") and "Zits" – an explanation of American slang for spots that brought the word into use in Britain.
In 1979 he published A Little Zit on the Side, a humorous autobiography. The follow-up, Sweet and Sour Labrador, mixed sections of stand-up routines with similar autobiographical material, much of it related to his world travels.
Jasper was once a compère for the Birmingham Heart Beat Charity Concert 1986, which featured local bands such as Electric Light Orchestra and the Moody Blues, with a finale that included George Harrison from the Beatles.
On 15 September 2007 he was inducted into the Birmingham Walk of Stars at the Arts Fest 2007 celebrations. The award was presented by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham. Carrott is the second inductee, following Ozzy Osbourne.
Carrott was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the British Comedy Awards on 6 December 2008.
His first appearance on television was a half-hour show for BBC Midlands on 11 August 1975 in a programme about local football called "The Golden Game". Then in 1976, A Half Hour Mislaid with Jasper Carrott recorded at Pebble Mill. His break came two years later when Michael Grade asked for a pilot for LWT. Grade liked it and five further shows were recorded, which became his first TV series, An Audience with Jasper Carrott, in 1978,[3] this partnership with LWT lasted until 1981, The Unrecorded Jasper Carrott (1979) and Beat the Carrott (1981) are the best known live stand-up performances from his time with LWT.
He moved to the BBC for Carrott's Lib, a Saturday night comedy broadcast live, and then a string of BBC shows. The most notable were Carrott's Commercial Breakdown, which broadcast weird adverts from around the world, and the sketch and stand-up shows Carrott Confidential, 24 Carrott Gold, The Jasper Carrott Trial and Canned Carrott, some of which also featured Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis.
Carrott played Heinrich in the 1987 British comedy film, Jane and the Lost City.[4]
Canned Carrott also featured a spoof police drama called The Detectives, co-starring Robert Powell, which turned into a series. In 2002–2004, he starred in the sitcom All About Me.
He performed in several of the Secret Policeman's Ball charity concerts for Amnesty International, and returned to the stage in 2004 at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham featuring classic routines from his career. He returned to singing for the musical Go Play Up Your Own End (written by Malcolm Stent, songs by Harvey Andrews) in 2005.[5]
In 2005, he appeared in and put on the first of Jasper Carrott's Rock With Laughter concerts. He appeared alongside Bill Bailey, Bonnie Tyler, Lenny Henry, Bobby Davro, the Lord of the Dance troupe and Bev Bevan.[citation needed] This became a regular at the NEC in Birmingham, usually in December and sometimes alternating with his "Jasper Carrott's Christmas Crackers" events, but there have also been a few summer shows too.
In summer 2007, Jasper hosted the Endemol-produced game show Golden Balls for ITV1.[6] Promising ratings led to a second series in January 2008. A third series began in April 2008, and a fourth in October 2008. A fifth and six series were shown in 2009.
He hosted the Sunday night national pub quiz, Cash Inn.
He was 20th in Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians show.[citation needed]
Literary work
Carrott has written three humorous autobiographical paperbacks: A Little Zit on the Side (1979), Sweet and Sour Labrador (1982) and Carrott Roots...and Other Myths (1986). He also wrote an odd novel called Shop! or A Store is Born ISBN 9780099617006.
Also of interest is a book by Jasper's former manager John Starkey, Jasper and Me (1993; Etsiketsi Books).
Business interests
Carrott was part-owner of the production company Celador, makers of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? In 2006, he and wife Hazel sold their shares for £10m as part of a management buyout.
Personal life
Carrott has been married to his wife Hazel (née Jackson), a former local journalist, since 1973. They have three daughters and one son: Lucy Davis (born 1973), an actress best known for playing Dawn Tinsley in The Office; Hanna, Jenny, and Jake Davis.
Carrott is a supporter and former director of Birmingham City F.C. and was awarded an OBE in 2002 "for charitable services".[7] The University of Birmingham awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2004,[8] following a similar award from Aston University in 1995.
Carrott lives in Dorridge, close to Solihull. He was a runner and supported Knowle Fun Run through sponsorship and publicity, in 2001 donating several thousand pounds, £10 for each person who beat him.[citation needed] He is also a patron and fundraiser for Sunfield Children's Home, a school for children with autism. The school is in Clent.
Filmography
Filmography | |||
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Year | Title | Role | Notes |
2015 | The One Show | Himself/guest presenter | 11 December 2015 |
2012 | The One Jasper Carrott | Himself | 9 January 2012 |
2007-2009 | Golden Balls | Presenter | |
2004 | 24 Carrott Gold: The Best of Jasper Carrott | Himself | recorded live at the NIC in Birmingham |
2002-2004 | All About Me | Colin Craddock | |
1999 | Jasper Carrott – Back to the Front | Himself | |
1999 | Jasper Carrott – You've Left Silk On My Milk | Patrick Butler | With Javier Bardem |
1997 | The Jasper Carrott Trial | Himself | based on the original BBC radio series |
1996 | Carrott's Commercial Breakdown 4 | Himself | |
1994 | Carrott-U-Like | Himself | |
1993 | Carrott's Commercial Breakdown 3 | Himself | |
1993-1997 | The Detectives | Bob Louis | 30 episodes, 5 series & 1 Special |
1992 | One Jasper Carrott | Himself | recorded live at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane |
1991 | Carrott's Commercial Breakdown 2 | Himself | |
1990 | 24 Carrott Gold | Himself | recorded live at Stratford Upon Avon |
1990-1992 | Canned Carrott | Himself | |
1989 | Carrott's Commercial Breakdown | Himself | |
1987 | Jane and the Lost City | Heinrich / Herman / Hans | |
1987 | Stand-up America | Himself | |
1987 | Carrott Confidential | Himself | this includes an election special broadcast on BBC2, and a special trailer for the 2nd series, broadcast on Friday 15 January 1988, which took the form of a mini sketch with Jasper dressed as Anne Robinson on 'Pointless Views' |
1985 | American Carrott | Himself | |
Jasper Carrott – Learner Driver(Mother in Law) | Himself | short animated film, unknown TX date | |
1984 | Jasper Carrott – I've Got This Mole | Himself | short animated film, LWT |
1983 | Look After My Horse When I'm Gone | Roy Strong & Martha The Horse | short animated film, LWT |
1982-1983 | Carrott's Lib | Himself | |
1982 | The Secret Policeman's Other Ball | Himself | |
1981 | Beat the Carrott | Himself | live from the London Palladium |
1981 | Carrott Del Sol (Sago) | Himself | |
1980 | Carrott Gets Rowdie | Himself | |
1979 | The Unrecorded Jasper Carrott | Himself | live from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane |
1978 | An Audience With Jasper Carrott | Himself | |
1976 | A Half Hour Mislaid with Jasper Carrott | Himself |
Discography
- Jasper Carrott in the Club (live LP, Criminal Records 1973)
- Funky Moped/The Magic Roundabout (DJS 388, 7 inch single, DJM Records 1975)
- Jasper Carrott Rabbitts on and on and on.. (DJLPS 462/DJF 20462, live LP, DJM Records 1975)
- Disco Hits 75 (ADE P 18, compilation LP, Arcade Records 1975) (features Jaspers top 5 hit 'Funky Moped')
- 20 Original Top Hits (2475 501, compilation LP, Polystar Records 1975) (features Jaspers top 5 hit 'Funky Moped')
- Bickenhill Rovers Skin'ead Supporters Song/Car Insurance (DJS 649, 7 inch single, DJM Records 1976)
- Carrott in Notts (DJF 20482, live LP, DJM Records 1976)
- 12 Days of Christmas/Local Radio Promotion (DJS 10815, 7 inch single/DJR 18002, 12 inch single, DJM Records 1977)
- A Pain in the Arm (DJF 20518, live LP, DJM Records 1978)
- Disco Saturday Night 40 (PLD 8004, Double LP compilation, Pickwick Records 1978) (features Jaspers top 5 hit 'Funky Moped')
- The Best of Jasper Carrott (DJF 20549, live LP, DJM Record 1978)
- The Un-Recorded Jasper Carrott (DJF 20560, live at Drury Lane TV soundtrack LP, DJM Records 1979)
- BBC Fun At One (BBC REB 371, LP, BBC Records 1979)(features one track from Jasper 'Car Insurance')
- Made in Australia (L 375 16, live in Australia LP, DJM/Festival (Australia) 1980)
- 12 Days of Christmas (K-8144, 7 inch single, DJM/Festival (Australia) 1980)
- Beat the Carrott (DJF 20575, live at the London Palladium TV soundtrack LP, DJM Records 1981)
- The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (HAHA 6003, live LP, Springtime Records 1981)(features one track from Jasper 'Australian Motor Insurance Claims')
- We Are Most Amused:The Very Best of British Comedy (RTD 2067, Double LP, Ronco Records 1981)(features one track from Jasper 'Nutter on the Bus.)
- The Best of the Chat from Carrott's Lib (DJF 20580, live TV series soundtrack LP, DJM Records 1982)
- The Stun (Carrott Tells All) (DJF 20582, live LP, DJM Records 1983)
- Noel Edmonds presents Listen with Mother (BBC REC 525, LP, BBC Records 1984)(Jasper reads 'Gary the Greatest' by Margaret Joy from The Noel Edmonds Show 1982)
- Jasper Carrott in America (RNLP 817, live in America LP, Rhino Records 1985)
- Cosmic Carrott (Laugh 1, live in America LP, CBS Portrait Records 1986)
- Jasper Carrotts Condensed Classics (CCD 30, CD, Chrysalis/Dover Records 1991)
- The Complete Secret Policeman's Other Ball (ESDCD, 2-CD set, Island 1991) (features two tracks from Jasper 'Australian Motor Insurance Claims' and 'Confessions of a Van Driver')
- 24 Carrott Gold (EMI TC EMC 3655, live Stratford Upon Avon TV soundtrack 1990, Audio Cassette, EMI Records 1991)
- Canned Carrott For The Record (EMI 8 31146 2, 2 CD TV soundtrack, EMI Records 1994)
- Jasper Carrott-Back to the Front volume 1 (TLCD 04, TV soundtrack CD, Sound Entertainment 2000)
- Jasper Carrott-Back to the Front volume 2 (TLCD 05, TV Soundtrack CD, Sound Entertainment 2000)
- 24 Carrott Gold – The Best Of Jasper Carrott (TCLCD 58, live at the NIC Birmingham, Sound Entertainment 2004)
- Classic Carrott volume 1 – Canned Carrott For The Record (2CD TV soundtrack, Sound Entertainment 2005)
- Classic Carrott volume 2 – 24 Carrott Gold (TV soundtrack CD, Sound Entertainment 2005)
- Classic Carrott volume 3 – One Jasper Carrott (TLCD050, TV soundtrack CD, Sound Entertainment 2005)
References
- ↑ Carrott, Jasper. 1982. Sweet & Sour Labrador.
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- ↑ Ed Doolan interviews...Jasper Carrott (a.k.a.The Other Side of Jasper Carrott) (2005) Radio BBC7
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- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 56797. p. 10. 31 December 2002.
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External links
- Use British English from May 2011
- Use dmy dates from May 2011
- Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from January 2015
- Articles with unsourced statements from May 2010
- Articles with unsourced statements from January 2015
- Articles with unsourced statements from April 2010
- Official website not in Wikidata
- 1945 births
- Living people
- Male actors from Birmingham, West Midlands
- Comedians from Birmingham, West Midlands
- English comedy musicians
- English game show hosts
- English stand-up comedians
- English television personalities
- English television presenters
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- People educated at Moseley School