RUSS ABBOT
GRANDPA POTTS

Russ Abbot is today acknowledged as one of the most popular entertainers in Britain.

He has had massive TV success with his own hugely popular series - 'Russ Abbot's Madhouse' (LWT, six series); 'The Russ Abbot Show' (BBC, six series); 'The Russ Abbot Show' (Granada TV, two series) as well as three series of 'September Song' for Granada TV in which he starred with Michael Williams, 'Married For Life' for Carlton TV and countless specials and other appearances. Earlier this year he was the voice of the narrator in the high rating children's TV show 'Dream Street' for ITV and he also had a regular guest role in BBC1 TV's popular series 'TV To Go'. Russ shows have been screened on prime-time TV throughout the United States and Australia.

As well as his outstanding TV success he has established himself as a star of London's West End stage, enjoying great success in the Neil Simon musical comedy "Little Me" at the Prince Of Wales Theatre; as the lead in Willy Russell's play 'One For The Road' at the Lyric Theatre; his own "Russ Abbot's Palladium Madhouse" at the London Palladium and, also at the Palladium, as 'Fagin' in Cameron Macintosh's hit production of "Oliver". He recently opened to great acclaim in the West End run of Ray Cooney's 'Caught In The Net' in which he starred with Eric Sykes and completed a national tour of the production at the end of last year.

In 1998 Russ recreated the role of 'Fagin' in Cameron Macintosh's touring production of "Oliver"; in 1999 he starred as 'Mr Gander' in the European premiere production of "Gossebumps - Live On Stage" and in autumn 2000 Russ opened in a major UK theatre tour in the title role of the hit musical "Dr Dolittle" until Spring 2001.

Russ was born in Chester and started his musical career playing drums, while still at school. He formed the comedy pop group The Black Abbots and turned professional. With the guidance of his Manager, Mike Hughes, he set out on a solo career in 1980 and emerged as a brilliant talent; one of a brand of comedians who took the comedy world by storm and a fine actor.

He received the Advertising Industry's Golden Break Award for "Best Actor In A TV Commercial", picked up the award as 'Top Variety Act' in the 1990 British Comedy Awards, was acclaimed as "Comedian Of The Decade" by TV viewers and was also voted "Funniest Man On Television In Europe" He was also five times awarded "Funniest Man On Television In Britain" for his top rating "Madhouse" and "The Russ Abbot Show" TV series.

His many crazy creations including: 'Cooperman', 'CU Jimmy the Scot', 'Fat Man', 'Basildon Bond', 'Boggles', 'Julio Doubleglazius' and 'Vince Prince' have become classics through six "Russ Abbot's Madhouse" and shows for LWT, six "Russ Abbot Show" series and specials for BBC TV and most recently for Granada TV and five series for BBC Radio 2.

Internationally, Russ' own 13 week TV series was first screened throughout America at prime time and was also launched in Australia and in early 2001 he headlined as 'Fagin' in "Oliver!" at The Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto.

His British top ten chart single "Atmosphere" remained in the charts for several weeks. In 1997 he was the subject of "This Is Your Life", (BBC1 TV) and in 2001 "Star Lives" (ITV) profiled his life and career.