An emergency at Butlin’s gave the children’s TV presenter an early break. He recalls his shaky start as a standup and what he learned from Bob Monkhouse and Les Dawson

After spending the summer as a Redcoat, I arrived at Butlin’s Metropole hotel in Blackpool. As I walked in, the entertainments manager asked, without hesitation, “Can you do an act?” “No,” I said. “Shit,” he said, and the tale unravelled. The summer Reds had gone and we were starting up the winter season. But the hotel had no lull between summer and winter. There were guests who needed entertaining, but with whom? Principal comedian Freddie Davies was on honeymoon and a second comic hadn’t yet arrived. “Are you sure you don’t do an act?” asked Vince in desperation. “Well, I do know an act!” I said. “Great,” said Vince, “you’re doing it tonight.”

For the past two seasons, playing drums for the Redcoat Show, I had watched Ricky McCabe’s very funny, never-changing comedy spot around 60 times. Of course, I knew every word. It opened with, “Hello there. Will the lady with the lucky ticket come up and get me?” So, that very Friday night, having no option, being the only person available, I was top of the bill. I was very nervous, but once the first few gags had got laughs, I relaxed, and it went quite well. “Fabulous,” said Vince, “same again tomorrow night!” I pleaded no, but, of course, the guests changed over on Saturday so I would have a totally new audience. This time, with more confidence, it went very well indeed. Right after the show, one of the girls came up and said, “Great spot, Johnny. Oh, the new Redcoat has just arrived – he says he knows you. His name is Ricky McCabe!”