Years ago some fellas up my local went to see Freddie Starr and he cancelled; Jim Bowen came on instead, to some grumblings, and told the crowd "Give me five minutes, if you don't like me we can all go home early". About three hours later they let him go home, they said he was absolutely brilliant.
Always seemed like a genuinely nice guy to me - was a great host on Bullseye - couldn't imagine anybody else doing as good a job. R.I.P. Jim - thanks for the happy memories.
About 25 years ago, I met a girl at a party who came from Cumbria. Turns out her family founded Robertson’s Jams and were loaded and lived in a huge country house set in 20 acres. Anyway, the next door neighbour was Jim Bowen who lived about 2 miles away. Went up there for a weekend and when he heard I was up from London, he invited us round for tea and cake. Lovely bloke, as was his wife, made a stranger feel very welcome and yes, we had a game of darts. RIP Jim
Don't forget Jim's greatest achievement: representing Charlton in Up For The Cup.
RIP Jim
Up for the Cup (ITV, 1980) Then Radio 2 DJ, and Fulham's current matchday announcer, David Hamilton presented what The Guardian called "the soccer fan club variety talent show", which for a few weeks in 1980 was a staple of ITV's peak Saturday early-evening schedules (Since you ask: 5.15pm Worzel Gummidge, 5.45pm Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, 6.45pm Up for the Cup). Its premise was simple: talented football supporters exhibit their skills, before being judged by some of their favoured team's players and managers. It climaxed with "the favourite variety acts from the Charlton and Bolton soccer fan clubs bidding for their own cup", which victorious Bolton duly carried away. Oh yes.
Don't forget Jim's greatest achievement: representing Charlton in Up For The Cup.
RIP Jim
A bit more info. for those interested.
Per sensagent.com:
"In 1980 Bowen was included in a "Charlton Athletic" team of entertainers to appear in an ATV variety game show called Up for the Cup, three winning rounds followed and the team found themselves in the final becoming runners up, no matter game and series over. By this time he had asked the "Charlton captain of the TV show", South London entertainment agent Ray Donn to look after him professionally & to help find him work down South. A few weeks after Up for the Cup had been transmitted in 1981, the then head of ATV casting the late Alec Fyne contacted Donn to enquire what Bowen was doing during the following month, he said "Nothing, I can’t get him out of". Alec Fyne replied "Get him up here as soon as possible as we may have something for him" ……That was how the quiz show Bullseye started and of Bowen's renowned association."
I believe Ray Donn used to manage "The Valley Club" behind The Covered End during the 70's and early 80's until Mike Bailey took it over. I'm sure someone will correct me if this is wrong.
Comments
"Look at what you could have won!"
RIP
RIP Jim
RIP
RIP
Edit : sorry stig
Let's have a look at what you could have won!
Then Radio 2 DJ, and Fulham's current matchday announcer, David Hamilton presented what The Guardian called "the soccer fan club variety talent show", which for a few weeks in 1980 was a staple of ITV's peak Saturday early-evening schedules (Since you ask: 5.15pm Worzel Gummidge, 5.45pm Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, 6.45pm Up for the Cup). Its premise was simple: talented football supporters exhibit their skills, before being judged by some of their favoured team's players and managers. It climaxed with "the favourite variety acts from the Charlton and Bolton soccer fan clubs bidding for their own cup", which victorious Bolton duly carried away. Oh yes.
I bet there are still loads of people in the Midlands trying to sell a speedboat.
RIP....Jim.....RIP.
A bit more info. for those interested.
Per sensagent.com:
"In 1980 Bowen was included in a "Charlton Athletic" team of entertainers to appear in an ATV variety game show called Up for the Cup, three winning rounds followed and the team found themselves in the final becoming runners up, no matter game and series over. By this time he had asked the "Charlton captain of the TV show", South London entertainment agent Ray Donn to look after him professionally & to help find him work down South. A few weeks after Up for the Cup had been transmitted in 1981, the then head of ATV casting the late Alec Fyne contacted Donn to enquire what Bowen was doing during the following month, he said "Nothing, I can’t get him out of". Alec Fyne replied "Get him up here as soon as possible as we may have something for him" ……That was how the quiz show Bullseye started and of Bowen's renowned association."
I believe Ray Donn used to manage "The Valley Club" behind The Covered End during the 70's and early 80's until Mike Bailey took it over. I'm sure someone will correct me if this is wrong.
You can't beat a bit of bully