Barry Cryer’s Strictly Come Joking performs at The Capitol, Horsham at 7.30 on Thursday 22nd November.
I’ve been accompanying Barry since 1992; in 1991 he and Willie Rushton formed their stage show Two Old Farts in the Night, which I also played for. Both shows toured the whole country, each performing once a month or so. When Willie died in 1996 – for which I’ve never forgiven him, and I still miss him – Barry’s show received more dates, and Barry himself, I think, became more confident about it. The show’s had various titles and permutations (it started off as Barry Cryer: The First Farewell Tour, a title which has since been stolen by someone else), but essentially it’s Baz on stage for the best part of two hours. I perform a couple of my songs, and accompany him in numbers. He’s very popular with audiences; you feel the warmth from them the moment he walks on stage, and we always have a good time; the crowd do in spades. It’s a privilege to be up there with him, and long may he continue.
Colin Sell 