Entertainment

Basil Brush performed private show for Harry and William – and wants Archie next


In his own words, the iconic presenter shares with us the biggest lessons he’s learnt in life…

I can’t really remember growing up.

I just know I was brought up by my original right-hand man Mr Owen, and I made my TV debut on David Nixon’s magic show in the early 60s.

I was his sidekick, and in fact, that’s where my catchphrase came from.

Someone was above me with one of those big, furry boom mics, which fell on my head and he shouted ‘Boom! Boom!’ I thought, ‘I’m having that.’

It was very exciting when I got my own show a few years later, The Basil Brush Show – the rest is history.

Crikey! I have so many wonderful memories of that series, like singing with Abba in the 70s.

They all wanted to come on: Cilla Black, Petula Clark and Lulu.

And I also got a bit of a royal following.

I’ve met Princess Anne, and Prince Edward loves to come to my pantos at Windsor.

But my career highlight was being asked by Lady Diana to go to Kensington Palace and do a special private show for Wills and Harry’s fifth and seventh birthdays.

Basil Brush has been a star for over 50 years

Basil Brush is a British legend

 

Those things are once-in-a-lifetime. I’d love to do the same for Meghan and Harry’s little fella Archie.

Jelly Babies is the only thing on my rider.

But since the inequality pay scandal at the BBC I’ve been thinking I need to ask for more.

I’ve always had my ‘mister’ sidekicks, but I think it’s time I had a lady.

I’d love Zoe Ball to be my sidekick – I was just at Glastonbury (my third one) with her and we’ve become good friends.

But what happens in Glastonbury stays in Glastonbury.

Kylie is my celebrity crush.

We’re perfect for each other, because we’re the same height.

But I should be so lucky… Lucky, lucky, lucky…

My latest crush is Christine from Christine And The Queens.

I saw her dancing and it’s terrific, I’m a big fan.

I’ve not had much experience of dating.

I did go on Grindr, but I thought it was something to do with coffee.

It was a bit of a shock when I got lots of messages from men wanting pictures of my brush!

The Basil Brush show with Derek Fowlds, 1972

Basil at Glastonbury

 

So I’m setting up my own dating app called Highland Fling.

People tell me I’m a bit of a style icon.

But I ditched the flares in the 70s, because they kept attracting rescue teams – boom, boom!

I have a personal stylist and I’ve got about 250 outfits for every single occasion – black tie, a little kilt, a Robin Hood costume and a hoodie for when I need to ‘get down with the kids’.

Anyone who thinks I’ve had a facelift is talking out of their Botox.

My beauty secret is to put salad cream over my eyes and nose and cucumber on my ears.

It doesn’t do any good, but it reminds me of my salad days.

I try to watch my diet.

I’m partial to a chicken nugget, but I went to this place called No Bones Jones –a vegan restaurant – and now I’m the country’s first vegan fox!

I don’t touch the drink, but I love a nice cup of tea and dunk my ginger nuts.

I’m very excited to be doing my new one-fox show called Unleashed at the Edinburgh Fringe this year.

Magician David Nixon and Basil Brush

It’s an adult show, but not in the X-rated sense.

It’s a show for grown-up children, like your readers.

People who have grown up with me on television, who want to go to a show without so many references to pooey bums, which I do in the family show.

It won’t be blue – I’m colour-blind – but it will be a little bit purple with a hint of orange.

And I’ll be reading extracts from my new book Fifty Shades Of Orange.

My philosophy is that laughter is the best medicine, and you should only call an ambulance if you’re really sick.

I would love to have my own TV show again.

Basil on Lorraine earlier this year

My show on CBBC ended in 2007 and it was nominated for a Bafta.

This little fella’s had an incredible time, and I’m still standing after more than 50 years in showbiz.

My only mission is to put a smile on people’s faces.

The world has got a bit serious, hasn’t it? I know how to laugh at meself – I’m 18 inches tall and ginger!

The Secrets Behind My Snapshot

Basil Brush and Tom Jones

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Sometimes I go on Good Morning Britain to do a little entertainment slot – I have to get up at 4.30am.

Last year Sir Tom Jones was there and he said he wanted to meet me and get a selfie.

We go back a long way – before he was a ‘Sir’.

I think we first met performing on one of the Royal Variety Shows.

We’ve got a lot in common.

I sat next to him in the make-up chair and we’re the same colour – orange!

Meeting Tom again after all these years was really funny, because just days before I’d been to the doctor and told him I kept waking up singing What’s New Pussycat?.

He said, “You’ve got Tom Jones Syndrome.”

I asked him if it was common, and he said, “It’s not unusual.”

Boom, boom!

Tom and I had a good natter.

He said to me, “Boyo Basil you’re still going.”

Basil Brush’s Family Fun Show runs until August 15, and Basil Brush: Unleashed until August 25, both at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.





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