MY TV LIFE

Joe Brown

Rock star Joe, 78, is celebrating 60 years in showbusiness with a huge tour and box set of book and music. His greatest hits include A Picture Of You and That’s What Love Will Do

What was your first TV memory?

The Six-five Special, the first rock ’n’ roll show. I don’t remember much before that. It went out live on the BBC at five past six on a Saturday evening in 1957.The great thing about growing up in that period was rock ’n’ roll. It just exploded, it was so exciting.

What was your first TV appearance?

On Boy Meets Girls in 1959. I was backing Johnny Cash. I was about 18 and was booked as lead guitar player with a big orchestra. I couldn’t read music but I got by! He did Five Feet High and Rising.

Who was your first TV crush?

A newsreader and presenter called Muriel Young. She was lovely. She also did children’s shows with Bert weedon and Ollie Beak.

What is your favourite current show?

I love NCIS – when I grow up I want to be Gibbs! And Mrs Brown’s Boys. agnes is so much like my mother, she used to swear like that all the time. I’ve been watching The Repair Shop too. I wrote to them trying to get my old Gibson mandolin case fixed but I haven’t heard back. they’d do a great job.

Which TV show would you take to a desert island?

Probably Law & Order because it’s fantastic, the scripts are terrific and Samwaterston is brilliant in everything he does. I’d also smuggle in Ripping Yarns if I could.

What TV show would you like to put out of its misery?

I’d get shot of the adverts. there was one recently where the wife is in the bath and the husband is on the toilet, trousers around his ankles. Charming! I don’t know what it was an advert for! I’m not a prude but often these days I think, what happened to Mary Whitehouse?

Guiltiest TV pleasure?

University Challenge. I record it and watch it a couple of times and then, if I’ve got people round I start watching it and mumbling the answers. they think I’m a flaming genius.

What are you up to at the moment?

My 60th anniversary box set is just about to be released and I’ve added another 40 dates to my UK tour after Christmas.

● Joe’s 60th Anniversary Collection is out on Friday. The 6CD box set features 48-page hardback book, live DVD, 60s poster cards, badge and plectrum. Joe plays New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, tonight with dates running until April (joebrown.co.uk)

GARRY BUSHELL