Russ Abbot

While he was at school, he had ambitions of being a pop star drummer. Although he was good at his school lessons, he failed his 'O' levels, resulting in his father locking his drums away and telling him he would only get them back if he passed his exams when he re- sat them. Fortunately for Russ, his mother had a spare key to the lock. Inspired by the Beatles and swept along by the Merseybeat-era. he formed the group The Black Abbots in his home town of Chester where they soon became a big name. Being on a raised platform behind his drums, he had a good view of the girls which is where he spotted the one that would become his wife. It was fortunate that after the show she went round to the stage door for autographs. Once established, the group got a recording contract but after they broke up in 1980, Russ formed a new group 'The New Black Abbotts', then later launched himself as a solo comedian to great success, being voted 3 years running as 'The Funniest Man on Television' by the readers of TV Times. To his surprise, when he made a record in the early 80's singing 'Atmosphere', it shot into the Top 10 earning him a Silver Disc. He has 4 children, Gary, the eldest (who had his own band, Alternative Colours), Richard, Christopher and Erica.