Eh Up, Me Old Flowers!

In the 1970s the biggest comedy show on television was ITV’s The Comedians. It took bow-tie comics from the Northern club circuit, put them on the screen for the very first time, and made them into overnight sensations. And the breakout star, the one who shone brightest of all… was Charlie Williams.

Charlie was the first black comedian to become a household name. With his toothy grin, his infectious laugh and his incongruous thick South Yorkshire accent – ‘Tha’s right, love, right accent, wrong colour!’ – he paved the way for many who followed in his footsteps, such as Lenny Henry and Gary Wilmot.

Perhaps his material would nowadays be considered questionable. But perhaps if you had lived his extraordinary life in a white man’s world – coal miner, professional footballer, cabaret singer, comedian – you’d have done the same.

Now, however, in retirement, Charlie faces an uncomfortable visit from a mysterious stranger who demands that he justify himself…

By Chris England, Breakfast With Jonny Wilkinson, which was later made into a feature film and An Evening with Gary Lineker, (co-written with Arthur Smith) which then transferred to the West End, where it picked up an Olivier Award nomination and made into a very successful TV film.

Starring Tony Marshall (Casualty, Only Fools and Horses, Life on Mars). On stage he is currently appearing in Jitney at the Old Vic to rave reviews.