Anecdotes

He auditioned in 1987 for the role of the Seventh Doctor in Docteur Who (1963), but was turned down, apparently due to his audition performance being considered too disturbing for television. Ironically, the actor who was cast instead, Sylvester McCoy, was one of his protégés, having been a member of the Ken Campbell Roadshow.

In the late 1960's, he toured British pubs and clubs with the Ken Campbell Roadshow, which included Bob Hoskins and Sylvester McCoy.

John Cleese was a big admirer of his work, hence he was given a guest appearance in L'hôtel en folie (1975).

He trained at RADA and first acted as straight man to comedian Dick Emery.

He had a daughter, Daisy Campbell, with Prunella Gee.

He was famous as a monologist, an eccentric comedian, raconteur, nonconformist and anti-establishmentarian.

Posts: Founder, Science Fiction Theatre of Liverpool 1976; Artistic Director, Everyman Theatre, Liverpool 1980; Professor of Ventriloquism, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art 1999-2008.

His first play as a writer was for the 'Armchair Theatre' series, entitled One Night I Danced with Mr. Dalton (1968).

He received an honorary doctorate from Staffordshire University's Faculty of Arts, Media & Design shortly before he died.

He was associated with the "Madhouse Company of London", which was a comedy troupe that performed in Boston in the 1970's. Other members included Jim Carter ("Shakespeare in Love", "Top Secret!" and "The Madness of King George"), Marcel Steiner, Marc Weil and Tommy Shands.