I went to a quiz last night organised by UKTV channel G.O.L.D.
It was held at a social club in Euston that had been decked out like the Nag's Head in Only Fools And Horses - not that it needed it, it had it all going on already - and it was hosted by Boycie actor John Challis.
It was fun. We came third.
Knocking around all night were lookalikes of Uncle Albert and Del Boy. I've seen the Del Boy one a lot at things over the years. He's aged along with David Jason and is uncannily like him. With his camel coat and his Del Boy patter and his wristsful of watches and flat cap, he lives the dream.
When me and a colleague were having a fag outside between rounds, he came by with his penis x-rays and his Viagra jokes and while mange tout, mange tout-ing we managed to get him out of character for about five minutes. He's a former actor - he's played the dame - he's been doing this for 15 years, everyone thinks he's David Jason but he's not allowed to pretend he is to autograph hunters so signs himself Del Boy 2. And his name's Maurice.
Hat's off to him, he must make a good living out of it. But what a strange life. Can there more bizarre than being someone but not having all the benefits that actually being that person involves? This impersonator is an actor by trade, and now he acts as David Jason as Del Boy as a full-time job. Well, it's a means to an end and he seems to enjoy it.
If it all went tits up, who would you be?
11 comments:
I'm pretty sure I could still do a creditable 'Shirlie', if there's a Pepsi and Shirlie tribute band out there missing a talentless blonde. I got mistaken for her regularly for YEARS.
I'm reading Louise Wener's excellent book at the minute. In it she describes having to hire 50 Elvis impersonators for a video shoot. The agency they used ran out of Elvises and sent Bogart and Newman lookalikes to help out. Apparently, they were rather put out and having to be Elvis as "anyone can do that."
I don't really resemble anyone much, so my impersonation career would be pretty desperate. At a pinch, maybe I could get some heavy framed glasses and a wig, and do Nana Mouskouri? Then perhaps you should get a pullover and a rocking chair, FC, and we could duet on stools.
That's a given, RS. I'm looking forward to the next Cream night indeed.
Mrs T reckons I'm the spitting image of David Mitchell (the comedian, not the novelist) and gets exasperated at the amount of time I spend watching ‘myself’ on TV.
He does spread himself pretty thin, so maybe I should offer my services. Only trouble is, I’m not *quite* as funny as he is.
I can see her point TT, as I've thought it myself, though actually Mrs F-C and I agree that there's a lot of you in the senior partner in The Good Wife. Josh Charles, is his name. Google him.
I couldn't do it. Imagine spending an evening being an own brand version of some other bugger? It must awful if you're president, prime minister or Bond-a-like great while it lasts - but your days are numbered
I interviewed Andrew Harrison a couple of years ago - he plays John in The Bootleg Beatles. He was on the verge of jacking it in when Lennon was murdered. But now he's been a 'Beatle' for 30 years! Click here for the full interview.
With apologies to Neil Harrison. I don't know where I got Andrew from!
Andrew Harrison of The Word? That's interesting. It's like that woman who's the Queen, Jeanette Charles. Still going strong, looks nothing like her at all. Too fat. Whereas Helen Mirren was too thin.
Hmm, I sort of see what you mean re Josh Charles. But he’s a bit – how shall I put it? – sleeker than me, I think. Just a tad.
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