When stu francis came up with the catchphrase ooh, i could crush a grape during one particularly gruelling turn on the club circuit in the seventies, it helped to make him a household name. Former host stu francis, who fronted the programme from 1979 to 1984, is. Stu francis is a british comedian with a camp style of delivery who achieved celebrity as lead presenter on the childrens television programme crackerjack 19801984. I ts friday, its five to five and crackerjack isnt on yet. Crackerjack returned to tv after 36 years and former hosts the krankies have their say on the shows relaunch.
Stu francis, had one of these badges, got it and a grape pen when we went to a live crackerjack show. It was a comedy show for kids, with the comedy initially coming from the likes of leslie crowther and ronnie corbett in the 50s, and ending with stu francis and the krankies, with gunge. Stu francis the boltonborn comedian presented crackerjack. Image caption sam left and mark right will host the show, which stu francis centre last presented. But crackerjack legend stu francis has revealed that his careerdefining catchphrase was actually a bit of an.
The bbc is to revive the show in a 6pm slot because so many of todays children are in afterschool clubs at teatime. Stewart francis is a canadian standup comedian, actor and writer. Stu francis doesnt want catchphrases in crackerjack revamp. Crackerjack bbc one london 5 october 1984 bbc genome. Variety is the spice of this crackerjack legends life. In 1987 stu francis hosted crush a grape on itv, which followed a similar format to his era of crackerjack. Stu francis crackerjack from the badge collectors circle archive. Crackerjack originally ran from 1955 until 1984 and was hosted by eamonn andrews, leslie crowther, michael aspel, ed stewart and stu francis. The beeb is reviving cult classic childrens tv show, crackerjack, but it wont be family viewing on bbc one. Stu francis has warned new crackerjack hosts sam nixon and mark rhodes to stay away from his catchphrases. Crush a grape once again the cult classic is coming. See more ideas about happy day images, happy day and inspirational quotes. Crackerjack was cancelled in 1984 at the same time as many other longrunning series, in an overhaul of the bbc childrens department. Now, those first two, yep, thats great, but hes not really the ooh, i could.
Celebrity football fans as footballs popularity started to rise again throughout the 1990s, it wasnt just the number of people going through the turnstiles that was increasing, the number of celebs that were jumping onto the footballbandwagon was going into overload. Still does the club circuit and appears in panto every year. Bbc to bring back crackerjack after 35 years television. Cult kids show crackerjack is coming back to the bbc. When i was at school, playground banter was peppered with such gems as rock on tommy, courtesy of bobby ball, ooh, i could crush a grape, from crackerjacks stu francis, and the. He is an actor, known for the keith harris show 1982, christmas night of. Meaning of im so excited i could crush a grape english. Stu francis doesnt want catchphrases in crackerjack revamp former crackerjack presenter stu francis doesnt want his classic catchphrases from the classic childrens show to be copied in the. Ooh, i could crush a grape and other highlights of childrens tv. Stu used to come out with a number of similarly crazy phrases, such as, ooh.
Its friday, its five to five, its love it or hate it, crackerjack crackerjack. Introduced by stu francis with special star guests nick heyward, big country, julie dome brown, sara hollamby and the great soprendo. Boltons stu francis praises crackerjack as legendary tv show. By the time stu francis hosted crackerjack in the 80s kids were turning to emu on. Its not what you think, mum i was looking at the priest. Krankies star ian tough, left, and stu francis, right, were not happy to hear of the return of crackerjack credit. Another catchphrase was theres points to be won, and there are penalties to.
The kane gang the adventures, duo barara also featuring. Edward stewart mainwaring 23 april 1941 9 january 2016, known as ed stewpot stewart, was an english broadcaster. Hosted by stu francis with special guest stars keith harris, with orville and cuddles. Former crackerjack presenter stu francis and krankies star. His other sayings were oooh i could rip a tissue ooooh i could jump off a dolls ouse. He spent his whole life in the kebab business, was buried with all his equipment. See more ideas about childhood, badge and 1970s childhood. Anyone who is between 25 ad 55 will remember doing this. In addition to his work in canada and the usa, he frequently tours in the uk and appears on british television. The presenting duo are to front a reboot of the classic kids tv series. Ed stewart and stu francis, who popularised the catchphrase ooh, i could crush a grape. So when i was offered the chance to interview him i was curious to discover what stu had been up to over the last 30 years crackerjack. Ian and jimmy krankie, jan michelle and stu francis on crackerjack in the 1980s.
His principal co hosts were initially the krankies and later, on alternating editions, basil brush and the great soprendo. Another catchphrase was theres points to be won, and there are penalties to pay. Stewart francis is heading into the punset at portsmouth guildhall on. Stu francis was born in 1951 in bury, lancashire, england. The bbc is to revive crackerjack, the classic childrens television show, as it tries to hook todays young viewers with an oldfashioned format.
Stu francis born 30 january 1951 in bolton, lancashire, england is a british comedian with a camp style of delivery who achieved celebrity as lead presenter on the childrens television programme crackerjack 19801984. Probably best known for its famous prize game double or drop and its comic sketches courtesy of peter glaze and co. Crackerjack returned to tv after 36 years and former. The programme was initially hosted by eamonn andrews followed by leslie crowther, michael aspel, ed stewart and, finally, stu francis here femail reveals what they did next. Crackerjack bbc one london 7 december 1984 bbc genome. Hes spent years threatening to crush grapes, pop balloons and wrestle action men. Join stewart francis at portsmouth guildhall before he gallops off. Childrens tv favourite crackerjack is to return to the bbc, 35 years after its last. Stu francis also did a standup routine on occasion, using such catchphrases as.
Tv series 19552020 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Stu francis is mr snowbusiness manchester evening news. Hosted by stu francis with special guest stars the great soprendo, modern romance, evelyn thomas, duban nickol, and featuring sara hollamby, ling tai. Its friday, its five oclock, its crackerjack again. Boltons stu francis might have been late to the crackerjack party, he was the shows final presenter from 1980 to 1984 but its. Crackerjack makes bbc comeback at later time slot with new. The most well known was ooooo, i could crush a grape. Boltonborn comic who featured on itvs the comedians in the 1970s, but is best known for fronting crackerjack and threatening to crush grapes. Crackerjacks back but not at its famous time of fiveto. Stewart francis arses, west, kim darren walsh beats 12yearold girl to win best joke of edinburgh fringe by ben beaumontthomas, august 24, 2015.
Bbc the bbc is to revive the childrens tv show crackerjack, 35 years after it was last aired. Stu francis crackerjack from the badge collectors circle archive stu francis, had one of these badges, got it and a grape pen when we went to a live crackerjack show. My mum walked in on me wanking and looking at her wedding pictures. Stu francis stu francis born 1951, bolton, lancashire, england is a british comedian with a camp style of delivery who achieved celebrity as lead presenter on the childrens television programme crackerjack. Crackerjack was the long running kids tv comedyvariety show that ran for a mammoth 29 years and over 400 shows.
You are also forgetting 1970s funny man and early prototype tv poof ooh shut that door larry grayson who used to say it when he was the hosting the generation game and getting mildly riled by one of the thicko contestants during the painful and protracted taking sessions at the beginning of every program. Originally presented by this is your life host eamonn andrews, and. Bbc brings back crackerjack in 6pm slot because children. Sam and mark to host crackerjack revival atv today. Crackerjack is coming back with sam and mark presenting. The show was originally presented by this is your life s eamonn andrews, who was followed by leslie crowther, michael aspel, ed stewart and stu francis. Stu francis took the helm in 1979 or 80 and messy games became more a feature of the show possibly in response to the popular anarchy of tiswas although, of course, crackerjack was on fridays, the bbcs swap shop on a saturday morning was ironically presented by noel edmonds but was squeaky clean. Stu was born on 30 january 1951, the same day as pop star phil collins. I tell you, it makes me so angry, i sit on the end of my bed and shake my fist at it. New bbc remake will air at 6pm because todays children are too busy with afterschool clubs to tune in any earlier. Yes, i do remember the early 80s version of crackerjack and still have fond memories of sarah greene getting gunged, especially as i think she got her question right but copped it anyway i also remember one of the female copresenters being pulled in by stu francis for a gunging one week, too. The last presenter was stu francis, famous for his ooh, i could crush a grape catchphrase. Eamonn andrews, leslie crowther, michael aspel and ed stewpot stewart 197579 to.