Comedian Jasper Carrott: 'I have had a fabulous career'

Jasper, 70, who is now back on the road, lives with his wife, Hazel, in Solihull, near Birmingham, just 12 miles from where he was born. They have four grown-up children, including The Office actress Lucy Davis, and six grandchildren.

“My real name is Bob Davis but for some reason I got the name Jasper while playing football at the local rec when I was nine years old and it just stuck. Years later, when someone asked ‘Jasper who?’ I just said ‘Carrott’ – but I have no idea why I came out with that particular word. 

“After leaving school I got a job in a department store not dissimilar to Grace Bros in Are You Being Served?. I started to develop my comedy skills when 

I became resident singer at the Boggery Folk Club in Solihull. My career blossomed from there and I became a big draw on the folk-club circuit. I really broke through with the single Funky Moped, which sold more than half a million copies and earned me a silver disc award.

“An Audience With Jasper Carrott was the first series I made for ITV, in 1978. In the years that followed I did lots more series featuring my stand-up routines, as well as five series of The Detectives in which me and Robert Powell played two bungling cops.

“I have written books, starred in the play The Nerd and made a feature film, Jane And The Lost City. More recently I starred in the BBC sitcom All About Me and hosted the ITV game show Golden Balls.

“Touring has been a major part of my career. I’ve done a lot of huge shows, including a 13-night sell-out stint at the Indoor Arena in Birmingham, playing to a total audience of 65,000.

But while doing a series of shows in South Africa I suddenly realised I was no longer enjoying working to big crowds. I felt I didn’t want to do it any more, so I pretty much gave up touring.

“I still have no desire to go back to doing massive shows. But what I am doing now is touring a show called Jasper Carrott’s Stand Up And Rock with a bunch of musician mates, including Bev Bevan of ELO fame.

We’ve set the limit at 1,500-seater venues. It’s great to be playing to audiences in places where you can actually see faces. 

“I have had a fabulous career and was thrilled to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Comedy Awards in 2008.

I’ve been married to Hazel for 43 years and can honestly say I couldn’t have achieved half of what I have without her. She’s amazing.

“These days my audiences are, like me, getting on in years. It’s a fun evening of music and comedy and audiences love it. We will be touring until the end of the year.

“When I’m not working, I devote time to the charities I support, including the NSPCC and Sunfield Children’s Home in Clent, West Midlands. And I still support Birmingham City, despite all their difficulties. Well, someone has to!”

For tour dates and other information about Jasper, visit jaspercarrott.com.