Jimmy Tarbuck

Comedian/Entertainer

Jimmy Tarbuck is one of Britain’s best known comedians. His show-business career started when he was spotted by the late Val Parnell whilst working as a Butlin’s holiday camp redcoat. He made several guest appearances on Sunday Night at the London Palladium for Val Parnell until he became its resident compere in September 1965.

Jimmy was soon headlining the top variety shows throughout the country and his career flourished throughout the 70’s and 80’s with shows like The Jimmy Tarbuck Show and Winner Takes All. He also signed a five year contract with London Weekend Television to present Live From Her Majesty’s, this was followed by Live From The Piccadilly and Live From The London Palladium. During this period he also had a television series called Tarby and Friends.

Jimmy is recognised as one of Britain’s top cabaret artistes and he is regarded as one of this country’s leading after-dinner speakers. He hosts many of the top award and business presentation shows as well as making many TV guest appearances.

One of his main passions in life is golf and Jimmy was honoured to play in the Bob Hope Classic in America. He regularly plays in charity golf matches and he holds the Jimmy Tarbuck Golf Classic annually in either Spain or Portugal. He has also written a book entitled “Tarbuck on Golf” which went to the top of the best sellers list.

He has received the top Variety Club of Great Britain award as “Show-business Personality of the Year” and, for his charity work, he has been made an Officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.

In 1994, Jimmy was honoured by being awarded the OBE for his services to show-business and charity. His TV special for LWT, An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck was aired in October 1994 and received top ratings and critical acclaim. The following year, as a direct result of the success of this show, he was presented in a late night talk show series entitled Tarbuck Late. He appeared on programmes such as Fantasy Football, Schofield’s Quest and the Des O’Connor show. He also found the time to make a golf video entitled “Tarbuck’s Nightmare Holes”.

1996 saw Jimmy with a new BBC TV series, Full Swing, which was a game show based on golf. He was also filming with Julie Walters and Robert Lindsay a television film for the BBC entitled Brazen Hussies. His second golf video, “Nightmare Holes of Golf II”, was released and Carlton also brought out “An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck” on video.

1996 culminated in Jimmy being honoured by The Guild of Professional Toastmasters with the “Ivor Spencer Best After-Dinner Speaker Award 1996.”

Jimmy can be found appearing in summer seasons, pantomime, yearly concert tours and a variety of television programmes. He is also involved in many charitable causes. He isa popularafter-dinnerspeaker and hosts many award ceremonies.

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