The host of Christmas past
MARION MCMULLEN looks back at how Kenny Everett gave viewers the gift of festive cheer 40 years ago
IT was all done in the best possible taste when Kenny Everett switched channels and launched The Kenny Everett Christmas Show on Christmas Eve 40 years ago.
He moved from ITV to the BBC in 1981 and his festive guests included Terry Wogan, Billy Connolly and Bob Geldof with The Police filling the show’s music slot.
Kenny joked it “was exactly the same as we did on the other side, except we’re doing it here. And cheaper.”
He also brought along his cast of comedy characters like punk rocker Gizzard Puke.
Comedian Michael Mcintyre’s father, Ray Cameron, was among the writers for the show and he made the move to the Beeb with Kenny.
The comedy sketch show went on to run for five seasons over seven years and the Christmas Eve specials were always a favourite, with Kenny even appearing as Scrooge in 1985 in a spoof version of A Christmas Carol.
The piece also featured Spike Milligan as the ghost of Jacob Marley and Peter Cook as the ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.
Celebrity guests were a staple of the comedy specials and over the years Kenny welcomed Joanna Lumley, Brian Blessed and Lionel Blair, while music stars who appeared on the show ranged from U2, Abba and Madness to Ultravox and Spandau Ballet.
In 1983 Kenny even found himself in the UK top 10 single charts with his record Snot Rap, which featured two of his most popular characters,
Sid Snot and Cupid Stunt and had lyrics that declared: “You can listen if you want, I couldn’t care less. The whole thing is all a musical mess.
It’s a rap.”