Editing Russ Abbot

{{short description|English musician, comedian and actor (born 1947)}}
{{BLP sources|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Russ Abbot
| image         = 
| caption       = 
| birth_name    = Russell Allan Roberts 
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1947|9|18|df=yes}}
| birth_place   = [[Ellesmere Port]], England
| death_date    =
| death_place   =
| occupation    = {{hlist|Musician|actor|comedian}}
| years_active  = Mid-1960s–present
| notable_works = ''[[The Russ Abbot Show]]''
| spouse        = {{marriage|Patricia Simpson|1966}}
| children      = 4
}}

'''Russell Allan Abbot''' (born '''Russell Allan Roberts'''; 18 September 1947)<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2022-03-05|title=Russ Abbot - National Portrait Gallery|url=https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp70064/russ-abbot-russell-roberts|website=npg.org.uk}}</ref> is an English musician, actor and comedian. Born in [[Chester]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.surreylife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/comedian-russ-abbot-on-switching-to-the-madhouse-the-workhouse-and-wentworth-1-1640298 |title=Comedian Russ Abbot on switching to the madhouse, the workhouse and Wentworth |date=9 November 2010 |access-date=12 December 2017 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129111942/https://www.surreylife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/comedian-russ-abbot-on-switching-to-the-madhouse-the-workhouse-and-wentworth-1-1640298 |url-status=dead }}</ref> he first came to public notice during the 1970s as the singer and drummer with British comedy showband the Black Abbots, later forging a prominent solo career as a television comedian with his own weekly show on British television.

Continuing his musical career as a solo artist, Abbot released several charting singles and albums. His career has continued with a shift into more mainstream serious acting in television shows, series, and stage productions.<ref name="imdb"/>

==Career==
As a drummer/backing singer, Abbot joined the Black Abbots (founded by Robert Turner) in [[Chester]] during the mid-1960s and they released several singles to modest chart success on minor labels in the early 1970s.<ref name=Discography>{{cite web |url=http://www.russabbot.co.uk/html/discography.html |title=Discography |publisher=russabbot.co.uk |access-date=21 June 2010 |archive-date=22 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522003508/http://www.russabbot.co.uk/html/discography.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The band only signed their first major [[recording contract]] in 1977, putting out a series of comedy singles and one live album (Abbot now taking lead vocals) before disbanding in 1980.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.licoricesoul.co.uk/lsd015-blackAbbots.php |title=Black Abbots short biog |access-date=21 June 2010 |archive-date=9 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209055041/http://www.licoricesoul.co.uk/lsd015-blackAbbots.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> Subsequently, he appeared as a comedian, winning the 'Funniest Man on Television' award five times. Abbot appeared on the television show ''[[The Comedians (1971 TV series)|The Comedians]]'' under his birth name (Russ Roberts).<ref name="imdb"/> From 1980 onward, he released some albums as a solo artist and appeared in several TV series. The most successful of his music singles, "Atmosphere",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/19431/russ-abbot/ |title=RUSS ABBOT – full Official Chart History – Official Charts Company |publisher=officialcharts.com |access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> did well in the UK top 10, peaking at No. 7 in 1985.

''Russ Abbot's Madhouse'' and ''[[The Russ Abbot Show]]'' showcased his talents as an all-round entertainer, attracting millions of viewers. This show was top-rated among younger viewers, prompting two annuals to be published in 1982–83. These annuals featured [[comic strip]]s based on popular characters, plus some publicity photos of Abbot in a variety of guises, including his well-known [[James Bond]] satire featuring characters named [[Basildon Bond]] and Miss Funnyfanny (based on the fictional MI6 spy duo James Bond and [[Miss Moneypenny]]).<ref>{{cite book |last=Hewson |first=Sherrie |author-link=Sherrie Hewson |title=Behind the Laughter |publisher=HarperCollins |date=4 March 2011 |page=77 |chapter=14 |isbn=9780007412631 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GfVMeVfDtdgC&pg=PT77}}</ref>

In January 1993, Abbot hosted an [[Elvis Presley|Elvis]] special of ''[[Stars in Their Eyes]]'';<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-russ-abbot-and-eleven-elvis-lookalikes-on-the-tv-programme-stars-in-19523299.html |title=Stock Photo - Russ Abbot and eleven Elvis lookalikes on the TV Programme Stars in Their Eyes |last= |first= |website=[[Alamy]] |access-date=2019-11-28}}</ref> this was originally to be presented by [[Leslie Crowther]], who had suffered serious injuries in a car crash in his [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars|Rolls-Royce]] in October 1992.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/stars-in-their-eyes |title=Tonight Mathew I'm Going To Be..... |date=2018-05-12 |website=British Classic Comedy |access-date=2019-11-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/police-still-seek-cause-of-crowther-car-crash-1555538.html |title=Police still seek cause of Crowther car crash |date=1992-10-05 |website=[[The Independent]] |access-date=2019-11-28}}</ref> Abbot was brought in as a temporary host, and this was the only episode he hosted. Crowther was unable to return, and died in 1996; he was replaced by [[Matthew Kelly]], who then hosted the show until 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://parts.jspayne.com/php/SummaryGet.php?FindGo=Stars_in_Their_Eyes |title=Stars in Their Eyes |website=parts.jspayne.com |access-date=2019-11-28 |archive-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926015345/http://parts.jspayne.com/php/SummaryGet.php?FindGo=Stars_in_Their_Eyes |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Between 1993 and 1995, Abbot also starred in the ITV bittersweet comedy-drama, ''[[September Song (TV series)|September Song]]'' as Ted Fenwick, a former teacher and widower alongside [[Michael Williams (actor)|Michael Williams]] as Billy Balsam. 

From 2000, Abbot played the lead role in the British National Tour of ''[[Doctor Dolittle (musical)|Doctor Dolittle]]''. Taking a break over the Christmas period, Abbot stepped down for [[Phillip Schofield]] to take the part but returned to the tour subsequently. In 2003, his "See You Jimmy" character (called C. U. Jimmy) came third in the ''[[The Herald (Glasgow)|Glasgow Herald]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s poll to find the most Scottish person in the world, behind [[The Krankies|Iain and Jimmy Krankie]].{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

Abbot's theatre roles include Alfred P. Doolittle in ''[[My Fair Lady]]'' (starring [[Amy Nuttall]]) at the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]] and on tour; The Narrator in ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]''; Grandpa Potts in ''[[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical)|Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]'' at the [[London Palladium]] and [[Fagin]] in ''[[Oliver!]]'' both in 1998 and 2009.

From July 2007, Abbot took over the role of [[Roger De Bris]] in the UK tour of ''[[The Producers (musical)|Mel Brooks' The Producers]]''. In 2008, Abbot appeared as the [[Tin Woodsman|Tin Man]] in the stage production of ''[[The Wizard of Oz (adaptations)|The Wizard of Oz]]'' at the [[Mayflower Theatre|Mayflower Theatre, Southampton]].

In 2008, the [[BBC]] announced that Abbot would be joining the cast of ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'' for the show's 30th series. He played Luther 'Hobbo' Hobdyke, who was the leader of a group consisting also of Entwistle, played by [[Burt Kwouk]] and Alvin, played by [[Brian Murphy (actor)|Brian Murphy]].<ref name="The Times 2008-05-10">{{cite news |last=Sherwin |first=Adam |title=Last of the Summer Wine antics 'dangerous' for elderly actors |date=10 May 2008 |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3905028.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516205032/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3905028.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 May 2008 |work=[[The Times]] |access-date=30 May 2008}}</ref><ref name="imdb"/>

In 2008, he guest-starred in ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' episode "Secrets of the Stars" as a character called Martin Trueman, an astrologer who was possessed by the Ancient Lights. On 8 August 2009, Abbot appeared in an episode of ''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]'' playing a pet shop owner. This marked Abbot's second ''Casualty'' role – he previously appeared as a different character in a 1999 episode.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.holby.tv/db/index.php?id=44,618,0,0,1,0 |title=holby.tv – Casualty – Russ Abbott |publisher=holby.tv |access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> He appeared on ''[[Harry Hill's TV Burp]]'' parodying the character he played in ''Casualty''.<ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|0007920}}</ref>

In 2009, when [[Rowan Atkinson]] fell ill during the original run of [[Cameron Mackintosh]]'s West End revival of ''[[Oliver!]]'', Abbot stepped into the role of [[Fagin]] for the second time. He again took the role after [[Griff Rhys Jones]] left the show on 12 June 2010.

Between 2014 and 2016 he co-starred in the BBC sitcom ''[[Boomers (TV series)|Boomers]]''.<ref name="imdb"/>

In December 2020, University Radio Nottingham presenters George Scotland and Damian Stephen decided to start an internet campaign to get "Atmosphere" to number one for Christmas. The campaign, in the style of previous internet campaigns for Rage Against The Machine and [[AC/DC]] (both of whom charted within the Top 5) was endorsed by Abbot as well as [[Paul Chuckle]] and Alistair Griffin, with "Atmosphere" highlighted as one of the contenders for Christmas Number One by the [[Official Charts Company]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/18941836.students-bidding-get-russ-abbot-song-atmosphere-christmas-number-one/|title=Could Chester comedian Russ Abbot land this year's Christmas number one?|date=14 December 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/christmas-number-1-2020-the-contenders-revealed__31728/ |title = Christmas Number 1 2020: The contenders|website = [[Official Charts Company|Official Charts]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Twitter profile|russ_xmasno1}}</ref>

==Family==
Abbot has been married to Patricia Simpson since 28 January 1966. The couple have four children.<ref name="imdb"/>

==Discography==
===Singles===
* 1980 – "Space Invaders Meet the Purple People Eater" / "Country Cooper Man"<ref name=Discography/>
* 1982 – "A Day in the Life of Vince Prince" ([[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 61, one week; re-entered at No. 75 two weeks later for one week)<ref name=Guinness>{{cite book |title=[[Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums|Guinness British Hit Singles]] |publisher=[[Guinness World Records]] Ltd |location=London |year=2000 |edition=13th |pages=69 |isbn=0-85112-111-X}}</ref>
* 1984 – "Atmosphere" (UK No. 7, in the chart for thirteen weeks)<ref name=Guinness/>
* 1985 – "All Night Holiday" (UK No. 20, in the chart for seven weeks)<ref name=Guinness/>
* 1985 – "Let's Go to the Disco" (No UK chart placing)

===Albums===
* 1984 – ''Russ Abbot's Madhouse''
* 1985 – ''I Love A Party'' – ([[UK Albums Chart|UK]] No. 12)<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book |last=Roberts |first=David |title=British Hit Singles & Albums |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited |location=London |edition=19th |year=2006 |page=13 |isbn=1-904994-10-5}}</ref>
* 1990 – ''Songs of Joy''

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1973 || ''[[The Comedians (1971 TV series)|The Comedians]]'' || Clown || Episode: "Music Hall"
|-
|1979 || ''Freddie Starr's Variety Madhouse''<ref>https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2mus-XyGPC0C&dat=19800412&printsec=frontpage&hl=en  Glasgow Evening times 12 April 1980 P8</ref> || rowspan="3" | Various || All 6 episodes
|-
|1980–1985 || ''[[Russ Abbot's Madhouse]]''|| All 50 episodes
|-
|1986– 1991 || ''[[The Russ Abbot Show]]'' || All 65 episodes
|-
|1993–1995 || ''[[September Song (TV series)|September Song]]'' || Ted Fenwick || All 20 episodes
|-
|1994–1995 || ''[[The Russ Abbot Show]]'' || Various || All 14 episodes
|-
|1996 || ''[[Married for Life]]'' || Ted Butler || All 7 episodes
|-
|1998 || ''[[Noel's House Party]]'' || Detective Barret Holmes || Episode: #7.18
|-
|1999–2002 || ''[[Dream Street (British TV series)|Dream Street]]'' || Narrator<br>Tech<br>P.C. Snooze<br>P.C. Snore<br>P.C. Nod Off || Voice; 59 episodes
|-
|1999 || ''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]'' || Simon Lancaster || Episode: "Crossroads"
|-
|2000 || ''[[Heartbeat (British TV series)|Heartbeat]]'' || Stanley Leroy || Episode: "Child's Play"
|-
|2002 || ''[[TV to Go]]'' || Various || Episode: #2.1
|-
|2003 || ''[[My Family]]'' || Len || Episode: "It's a Window-Filled Life"
|-
|2005 || ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' || Billy Jenkins || Episode: "Doctor's Orders"
|-
|2006 || ''[[Agatha Christie's Marple]]'' || CI Arthur Primer || Episode: "[[Sleeping Murder]]"
|-
| rowspan="2" |2007 || ''[[Hotel Babylon (BBC series)|Hotel Babylon]]'' ||Mr. Poldark || Episode: #2.1
|-
| ''[[The Last Detective]]'' || Jules Rendell || Episode: "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Willesden"
|-
|2008 || ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'' || Martin Trueman || Serial: "[[Secrets of the Stars]]"<ref name="RTEpGuide">{{cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/shows/the-sarah-jane-adventures/episode-guide/ |title=Radio Times: The Sarah Jane Adventures Episode Guide }}</ref>
|-
|2008–2010 || ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'' || Luther "Hobbo" Hobdyke || 17 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2" |2009 || ''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]'' || Malcolm Crowson || Episode: "Leave Me Standing"
|-
| ''[[Harry Hill's TV Burp]]'' || Himself || Episode: #9.7
|-
| rowspan="2" |2012 || ''Hacks'' || Bill Bentley || TV film
|-
| ''[[Run for Your Wife (2012 film)|Run for Your Wife]]'' || Hospital Patient || Film; Cameo role
|-
|2013 || ''The Home Office'' || Don || TV pilot
|-
|2014–2016 ||''[[Boomers (TV series)|Boomers]]'' || John || All 13 episodes
|-
|2015 || ''Funny Valentines'' || Morris Roebuck || Episode: "Last Chance"
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=0007920|name=Russ Abbot}}
* {{NPG name}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abbot, Russ}}
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:20th-century English comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century English comedians]]
[[Category:English male comedians]]
[[Category:English male singers]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:English people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:English rock drummers]]
[[Category:Male actors from Chester]]
[[Category:Musicians from Cheshire]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People educated at Chester City Grammar School]]
[[Category:People from Ellesmere Port]]
[[Category:Comedians from Cheshire]]