Basil Brush
From Free net encyclopedia
Basil Brush is a reddish-brown fox glove-puppet who has appeared in British children's (and later adult) television programmes from the 1960s to the present day. He was originally voiced by the late Ivan Owen (who died in 2000). He is noted for his catchphrase Boom! Boom!, and famously spoke with a 'posh' accent. His most prized possession is his tail, or brush.
He was created in 1963 by Peter Firmin for The Three Scampies children's show but he became really popular following appearances on magician David Nixon's series The Nixon Line. In 1968 he was given his own television series The Basil Brush Show. Throughout the show's 12-year run Basil was always accompanied by a straight man, initially Rodney Bewes - aka Mr Rodney - better known as one half of The Likely Lads.
Bewes was replaced by Mr Derek - Derek Fowlds of Yes, Minister fame - who was the stooge for Basil's quips between 1969 and 1973. The subsequent presenters were Mr Roy - Roy North ('73-'77), Mr Howard - Howard Williams ('77-'79), and Mr Billy - Billy Boyle ('79-'80).
Basil recorded two albums (both with the same title): Boom! Boom! It's Basil Brush (1970) and Boom! Boom! It's Basil Brush (1977). His adventures also appeared on the pages of TV Comic during the peak of his popularity.
In 2002, Basil made a comeback in a new children's BBC sitcom, again named The Basil Brush Show, in which his new comic foil was played by Christopher Pizzey. Although no-one is directly credited as playing Basil on this show (and he was credited as playing Himself when he appeared on French & Saunders in 2004), the most likely candidate is Michael Winsor who is credited as "Basil's Personal assistant" (fitness assistant in earlier episodes).
He also briefly appeared as a presenter for several Friday episodes of the popular British children's programme Blue Peter in 2003 in which he had his own joke segment.
Basil played Dobby the house-elf in the French & Saunders sketch "Harry Potter And The Secret Chamberpot Of Azerbaijan" for Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2003.
As of the 10th of December 2005, Basil is the first (and only) puppet to not only be a contestant of Weakest Link but to also go and win £10,900 for his chosen charity, the Blue Peter 2005 charity appeal, "Treasure Trail" (in aid of Childline). Roland Rat previously appeared as a puppet contestant, but did not win.