EMMERDALE fans were left stunned as ’80s comic Tommy Cannon appeared in the ITV soap earlier this evening.
The 81-year-old star briefly appeared in yesterday’s episode as one of Dr Manpreet’s patients, but it appears that viewers have only just twigged who he really is.
The comedy legend made his presence known as he entered the cafe in tonight’s show, questioning how long the iced buns had been on display.
In a rather foreboding detail, he was then seen rushing to the toilets to be sick as he admitted that he felt queasy.
Fans at home were overjoyed to see Tommy on their screens, flocking to social media to share their excitement.
One wrote: “Do my eyes deceive me? Did I really just see #TommyCannon in #Emmerdale?!”
Another added: “Err, it’s that Tommy Cannon?? #RockOnTommy”.
A third said: “Tommy Cannon in #Emmerdale? Blimey!”
Tommy – best known for being one half of the double act Cannon and Ball – plays Derek in the soap, but it was previously revealed that his stint in the village will be short-lived.
The character will die after suffering from suspected salmonella poisoning after he tries one of Rishi’s chocolate samples.
The star announced that he’d signed up for the all-too-brief Emmerdale appearance on social media last month, tweeting: “Excited to be able to announce that I’m doing a brief stint as ‘Derek’ in @emmerdale!!
“Spending some time in the dales #Emmerdale.”
Insiders added to The Sun Online at the time: “He is joining the show but won’t be on air for a while.
“He’s playing a new character and everyone’s really excited to have him on set.”
Tommy is best known for his work alongside Bobby Ball on their Saturday night TV show The Cannon and Ball Show, which racked up 20 million viewers in its prime.
The show aired from 1979 to 1988 and helped cement the duo as household names.
Since The Cannon and Ball Show was cancelled, Tommy and Bobby have continued to perform comedy together, with cameo appearances in theatre and pantomime, as well as starring in their own sitcom.
In 2005 Tommy and Bobby appeared on I’m A Celebrity and in 2012 they took part in Celebrity Coach trip.
In 2018 the comedy duo signed up to star in Last Laugh in Vegas on ITV.
Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
