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About The Bradshaws :
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The Bradshaws soapettes originated on radio and have captivated millions of listeners in the UK for many years. Beginning on Piccadilly Radio and Radio Manchester, the stories were twice nominated and twice won, the prestigious Sony Award for “The Best Use Of Comedy On Radio.”
As well as on BBC local stations & commercial stations throughout the UK, The Bradshaws stories have recently been broadcast by Arthur Smith on BBC Radio 2 and regularly in faraway places like Dubai, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Southern Spain, and Teneriffe. |
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Following the hit Granada Television series “The Bradshaws” they have taken on a life of their own and are now enjoyed worldwide.
The Bradshaws are Alf, Audrey and little Billy Bradshaw, an ordinary family living an ordinary life in an ordinary two-up two-down terraced house with an outside loo. Where? Somewhere in the North. When? In pounds, shillings and pence time when convenience food was bread and dripping, sugar butties, condensed milk butties… Their own unique brand of humour warms the hearts of people of all ages. The Bradshaws have been described as a cross between Coronation Street, Andy Capp and The Simpsons. Billy Bradshaw has made numerous television appearances. Billy’s’ Stranger Danger video is currently in use in thousands of schools.
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WARNING! These unique and wickedly funny Bradshaws Stories could cause face-ache, wheezing, loss of breath, loss of dentures, sore ribs and temporary incontinence due to the unavoidable amount of laughing you have to do. Beware and be ready for a side splitting experience you'll never forget.
There are three hundred stories in the 25 CD collection plus a few bonus musical titbits scattered throughout.
Buzz Hawkins is the man behind The Bradshaws. He writes, produces and performs the radio and television stories that are listened to worldwide (and yes.. he really does do all the voices!).
His unique stand-up comedy is, in fact, taller than his is: sharply observed, contemporary, yet down-to-earth. He can make the largest venue feel like the cosiest of living rooms. |
L to R: Norman Hinchcliffe, Winifred Dutton,
Billy Bradshaw and Michael Morris.
(Cartoon by Wildey ~ from the forthcoming Bradshaws animated cartoon series).
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Billy’s Bestist Friend, Michael Morris.
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His comedy observation is on par with Billy Connolly, Frank Skinner, Clive James, Arthur Smith, Victoria Wood and Peter Kay (Peter's mam has all the tapes) and yet his take on it is totally unique.
Having written radio comedy for twenty-odd years, Hawkins' material is wide and seemingly endless. Some would believe though (understandably perhaps) that it's all nostalgia based therefore not for younger audiences. Wrong! Yes, nostalgia with The Bradshaws and seeing life through their eyes, but right on the button with clever comedy songs such as EeeWellYafTerLafAntYer, Father Fanakerpan's Secret, Country Billy Gerkin and The Pickle Stabbers, Raji Sing Song, Poor Old Norman, and the exquisite Sadie. And when Hawkins asks "It's catchy intit?" you'd be lying if you said no.
So what else has Buzz done?..
Well his works include a few TV series: Comedians, Stuart’s Hall of Fame, Foo-Foo. TV appearances (not enough) include: That’s Entertainment, The Afternoon Show and an unforgettable cameo role in Phoenix Nights. (We won't mention winning Opportunity Knocks - that was in a previous life!). Buzz is currently writing a new Bradshaws animated cartoon series (see down this page)......
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"Once upon a time, on a dark and stormy night, a small thought festered in the broad forehead of a man named Buzz Hawkins. This thought skipped along terraced streets gathering up the memories that you left behind and so grew into The Bradshaws.
The Bradshaws are now real people and anyone who thinks otherwise is ficticious.
As a result, Buzz Hawkins is now merely a figment of their imagination."
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Meet The Bradshaws:
Audrey
Audrey is the stereotypical housewife. She likes entering competitions and winning holidays to Venus (she mispronounced Venice). Audrey is considerably less intelligent than Alf and often shows this through complete lack of common knowledge. For example, she seems to think that the coalman and Michael Morris's Mam are just 'friends' despite the obvious (see Minor Characters). Audrey (seemingly) cooks very badly. When she made steak and kidney pudding for Billy and Alf's tea she left it boiling dry resulting in burnt pastry (which tasted like cardboard according to Alf)Audrey has a sister called Pamela, who Alf hates. She always has a best trifle dish and wears an apron.
Alf
Alf is a male shoulderless pig (according to Audrey), he eats corn dog (which he calls it whereas Audrey refers to it by its actual name). The only times where he is obviously nice to Billy is when he is drunk; he smokes and gets Billy to fetch him either: a box of matches (swan vestas), corned beef and much more. His face is never seen and appears to be quite a huge man who has very little money, he sarcastically calls Audrey mock affectionate names such as "sweet little thistle" and hated Poshy/Oswald (see below for more detail).
Billy
William "Billy" Bradshaw is perhaps the most popular character in the series. He loves both his parents (though Alf can be very mean to him on occasions), Billy, like Michael, is a puppet who acts as a son to two adults, Billy enjoys going to the flicks and would like a pet of some sort, either a dog, zebra or "Zedgie" (an imaginary animal that Alf made up). Billy is Michael's best friend, Michael is allowed buble gum, which makes Billy jealous and envious, Billy often tries to get some bubble gum, however his parents refuse to give him some.
Poshy/Oswald
Poshy or Oswald was Billy's kitten. Audrey and Billy both originally referred him to a he at first, But after Audrey took the cat down to a woman's house. It was then realised Poshy/Oswald was now a girl, she only appears in three episodes. In the episode 'Open Wide', Poshy escaped from the Bradshaws home and ran to (possibly) Winefred Dutton's and never appeared again, Billy and Audrey were both worried. Alf in a selfish way, was pleased that Poshy had run away, she did make a cameo in Audrey Tries Her Luck.
The Dog
The Dog is nameless, it is not a major character in the series but is still used in the house. The dog appears to be a brindle Bull Terrier, the dog usually wears Alf's hats, seeing that he puts them on it; it turns its head to see what goes in the house and appears to "threaten" Poshy, the kitten.
Minor Characters:
The minor characters are never heard to speak (although Michael occasionally announces his presence with his Mouth Organ)
Michael Morris
Michael Morris is Billy Bradshaw's best friend, he wears a pair of Clinic Glasses for his Lazy Eye (or as Alf calls it 'friendly eyes' because they keep looking at each other). Michael is based on a school friend of Buzz Hawkins (who was also called Michael Morris).
Betty Morris
Betty Morris is the mother of Michael Morris. She is having an affair with the coal man. (although Audrey refuses to believe this). Betty and Audrey often love to go out for a game of housey housey (bingo)
Mr Morris
Mr Morris is the Father of Michael Morris (although Michael's real father is the Coal man), Mr Morris is tight-fisted and he has stolen Alf's tools several times.
Uncle Wally One-Ball
Uncle Walter is Audrey's Uncle, he got a Gunshot to a 'sensitive' area in The Great War and now drags his leg, he used to go by the stagename Bert Scroginbottom he played the Banjolele and wrote his own songs. He was destined for stardom but he accidentally left his kitbag in the NAAF! with all his songs inside and it was stolen by a Buck-toothed Private named Formby.
Pamela
Auntie Pamela is Audrey's sister. She is constantly knitting Tank Tops for Billy and Alf although they never fit properly. As a matter of fact, Alf wears one that she knitted for Billy. Pamela also makes knitted swimming trunks for Billy. Although Pamela and Alf are often trying new ways to annoy each other, there is a rumour that they like each other. In one episode she keeps calling Alf Alfred.
God
God features in many episodes. According to Alf (who should not be believed as he is an agnostic) the moon is a hole in the sky for God to spy on people and the sun is his reading light. He turns it on for filling in his diary. God seems to show a strong dislike for Alf, as shown by the numerous times that bad things happen to him. This may be because Alf kept some rude magazines that Audrey told Alf to bin.
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Fans getting in the mood with paper planes....
Hawkins view from the stage at The Lowry 2007...
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awkins escapes from his padded cell window anytime somebody chucks him a grappling hook. The 'hook' is any chance to perform, and sometimes all it takes is one phone call with an offer he doesn't understand, and out comes the stage suit again - well, an iffy shirt, sawn-off pants, loud socks, and his much-loved pair of 1950's boots with holes in that somebody gave him (the boots not the holes).
Over the years he's performed his stand-ups, cabarets, after-dinner speaking and sell-out shows all over the UK, occasionally popping over to Cyprus, Corfu, Menorca and Spain for international cabarets. We defy you to put Hawkins in a bag! (please?!)
Interesting fact: If you go to the Wikipedia website and search The Bradshaws you'll find that The Bradshaws have a section dedicated to them - but Buzz Hawkins doesn't! Are they a figment of his imagination or is he a figment of theirs?!
And, if you've ever wondered what it feels like to stand in front of 2000 people and act daft, then this photo (left), taken from the stage might give you some idea.....
Unbutton your cardigans for a rib-cracking experience with Buzz Hawkins, award-winning writer, producer and voices of the wickedly funny radio favourites “The Bradshaws”... |
..a bit of Bradshaw history...
The Bradshaws family was created for The Gary Davies Show with Gary Davies on Piccadilly Radio in 1983, when Hawkins wrote a poem about a family's day trip to Blackpool, this soon developed into a series. In 1986, Hawkins was made producer of The Phil Wood Show, on which he performed more Bradshaws material.
Hawkins would go on to sell cassettes of his Bradshaws episodes, as well as doing stand-up, acting and more. The Bradshaws series has been re-released as a 25 volume C.D. collection. The series has gained great popularity in the UK and abroad. it has been said that some people still ask who the voice actors are even though all the characters are voiced by Hawkins. You can hear The Bradshaws on local radio stations all over the UK.
You may remember the Telethon on ITV in 1990 with little Billy sharing the hosting with Richard and Judy. that's a fascinating tale you might wish to read more about too!
In 1994 Granada Television broadcast a short series of The Bradshaws featuring animatronic puppets and live actors. The response was excellent and, for a while, it was hoped that the TV company's promise of a second - and better funded - series would be made. But alas, Granada boss Andrea Wonfer moved on and Regional Head, Mike Spencer, couldn't get the money from the new boss.
Billy Bradshaw has made lots of television appearances (so ner!), and his Stranger Danger video, sponsored by Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Council and Manchester Airport, reached thousands of kids in North-West schools. Billy's new road safety "Easy Peasy Song" cartoon is out now on pre-release (see our eBay listings) and we plan to get it to as many children as possible - nationally!
HAWKINS TALKIN'
About how The Bradshaws all began..
(and how to survive triple schizophrenia)
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BH - "The Bradshaws stories started life as poems – simple conversations between a mam, dad and their little boy. I christened them Audrey, Alf and Billy and set the stories in a two-up-two-down terraced house in pounds, shillings and pence time because that’s where I grew up, so I suppose initially they were about the things I experienced." |
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"After a few weeks of reading them live on local radio people began telling me their childhood experiences and the stories became their stories too. I’m often asked “How do you do all the voices?” Well, when it came to reading the first one out on local radio I hadn’t had time to practise, so I just aimed high and fidgety for little Billy, deep, grumpy and chauvinistic for Alf and, for Audrey, I imagined I was wearing fluffy slippers, curlers and a pinny."
"It seemed to work because the radio station was innundated with callers asking who the three actors were. It still happens now, 25 years laer, and I'm beginning to think I'm triple schizophrenic (and that doesn't include me). I have noticed, though (and you early cassette owners will bear me out), that the voices and characterisations have developed over the years as they gradually asserted themselves (told you!), having had such a lot of radio broadcasting and live shows for practice."
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"So I decided to go back to the beginning and re-write and produce the early albums again in order to match the current production values (to satisfy myself really). So, here we are then. I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I’ve enjoyed the many years of writing and performing them."
"There are three hundred stories in the 25 CD collection plus a few bonus musical titbits scattered throughout. What next for The Bradshaws? Television of course! There’s still a lot to do!"
 HAWKINS TALKIN' LATEST. . .
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It's all happening...... The Bradshaws animation project!..... Muddle Earth voice sessions!..... And the new Hotsox Studios!...
A progress report from Buzz's diary.......
INSIDE INFO in his own words...
THE BACKGROUND...
I love good radio. In my humble opinion (since when did I have a humble opinion?) good radio draws you in and makes you comfy, makes your crappy job a bit easier and your happy job even more fun, shortens your long day or your long drive or your long wait. And good radio comes with pictures that you can see without a plasma TV or a webcam, pictures you can watch with your eyes closed or, as long as there isn't a steering wheel in your hands, with the road in front of you. Now unless you've been lying to me for all these years (and I much prefer to take you at your word!) the Bradshaws stories seem to have ticked a few of those boxes. Thank you for letting little Billy, Alf and Audrey into your busy lives. Thank you to all the radio stations for playing the stories over the years and continuing to play them. And thank you life for my triple schizophrenia (and that doesn't include me). But it's a YouTube world and so it's time to make some good television too.
When I started to perform the sketches live on stage, twenty-odd years ago, I realised then that putting the Bradshaws on television would be a problem. Why? Because with radio we listeners are allowed to make the pictures up ourselves. We hear a voice and we see a tall thin bloke or a big fat round one or a small striped one with big ears, depending on our own backgrounds and influences. So when I stand up in front of you in a theatre or the local Dyers and Polishers Social Club and 'do' the voices I depend on you to suspend belief and visualise Alf, Audrey and little Billy on stage with me - and you do.
But over the years the greater the The Bradshaws cult became, the greater the expectations became too (maybe it was just my expectations?), and I've found myself using lots of devices to add to the visual experience, such as projecting cartoon images on a screen, or putting big scenery up and employing actors (Deborah Torr & Rick Hudson - bless 'em) to mime on stage while I hide side-stage with a microphone 'doing' the voices. And of course using my unique Billy Bradshaw animatronic puppet to steal the show and threaten me with an inferiority complex. (The use of the actors along with the Billy Bradshaw and Michael Morris animatronics was the basis of the 1994 Granada Television series "The Bradshaws" - I must try to find a copy of the video on eBay!).
In this brave new blogging and twittering world you might just find it interesting to read some extracts as scribbled in my journal. But then again...
Friday 8th August 2008
MEETING THE ANIMATORS..
After a couple of introductory telephone conversations I had a meeting at the Chapman animation plant with some of the production team - Phil, Tim, and Vince. Phil (producer) I knew from a theatre show we'd done together a couple of years before, Tim (director) I'd met once, Vince (artist) I met for the first time. It was for me really exciting and they showed me some cartoony visualisations which they'd prepared and they made me chuckle. The characters looked (and still do) quite different from any previous artists impressions, having a modern look to them. They all seemed surprised that I took to them so easily and said they'd expected more of a fight! The next phase is for Vince to work up the character sketches and for me to prep a short taster script...
Monday 15th August 2008
THE BATTLE OF BROKEN KNEE..
I crushed my knee and now have a 'loose body' - a piece of broken bone - that has lodged behind my knee cap. My knee is swollen up like a blancmange. The hospital A&E treated me as if I made it all up, but I've managed to get a promise from them to arrange for an arthroscopy. God knows when! In the meantime I can barely walk never mind skip around on a stage!
Tuesday 7th October 2008
MICHAEL MORRIS TO THE STAGE PLEASE..
Vince is now working on other characters. I've just seen Michael Morris and he's funny! The next stage is for the team to build a 'bible' with all the settings, characterisations and storylines for the presentations to broadcasters. Onwards and up 'em then
Monday 5th January 2009
PROCRASTINATION GETS OTHER JOBS DONE..
My knee seems to be easing and the swelling is going down a bit. Mind you, it should do cos it's six days since I had the arthroscopy operation - I've got two fairly neat holes in my knee now, which looks like Eric Morecambe without the glasses. The good thing about having a broken knee is that it has made procrastination more difficult and all this arse anchoring has resulted in me getting much more writing done.
Wednesday 21st January 2009
OUR FAMOUS NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE..
The building work at my new studios is going well. and who's doing it? Me with a broken knee!... "Broken? You've had an arthroscopy!" I hear you say. Well, the surgeon (and I use the title loosely) drilled my knee a couple of times, didn't find the piece of broken bone (the golfing appointment may have distracted him), stitched me up, and sent me home without telling me it had been a failure and with a poorly copied physiotherapy exercise sheet to keep me occupied. The result? The knee is worse and may well be further damaged by the exercises which I shouldn't have been doing with a broken knee. I now await an appointment for a second operation.Things seem to be progressing steadily with the development of the The Bradshaws bible. I can't wait to get my teeth into this animation project properly.
Monday 13th - Thursday 19th February 2009
CABIN FEVER..
I've had my first writing sessions at my cabin in Anglesey and it's been all I could have hoped for. I've been waiting several years for this and it seems to have passed all the tests. No phone, no internet, no radio, no TV, no mither! All I have to do is write. Write with no ready-made excuses. I plan to come down here for several days most weeks of the year to write. And when the deadlines for the TV animation series are less pressing I'll make some progress with the autobiography, and the book "When Playing Out Was In", and all the other projects I've started and not finished over the years!
Saturday 7th March 2009
GETTING TO KNOW THE DRILL..
Well I've now had my second arthroscopy. In fact the dressings came off today and now there are three wounds, so I'll take that as a good sign meaning they've done a bit more than the last botched operation. I am assured by the surgeon (a different one) that my long term little lodger Bobby Bit O'Bone has been removed, as proven by the object in the sample jar in front of me. I'm going to take this piece of bone outside and beat it to a slush with a hammer later today!
I'm full on with the Brads animation series writing now with six story outlines to invent, two of which need to be fully developed for half hour programmes. The new premise, being the Bradshaws old fashioned house and style of living set in the world of today, is going to take some thinking about but I'm conviced the characters are big enough to deal with this for me. Come on Alf, Audrey and little Billy.
Tuesday 10th March 2009
NOT VERY BRIGHT..
I stupidly spent too long on a pair of ladders running electricity cables at the studio and now my knee has swollen and bust my stitches, so I'll have to stay put at home for a few days until it goes down a bit.
Saturday 18th to Monday 20th April 2009
A CAT AMONGST..
I'm at my Caban-y-Mynydd scribbling at the half hour stories and having a lot of fun with the new setting. The animation, being full stop frame style and with what is promised to be a good budget, is allowing me to develop the main characters and the others more fully. For instance, Fleabag, the tomcat from a few doors up, is now in a continuing feud with Alf. And the visualisation for the cat is really inspiring so I'm enjoying finding out about him. He's got a lot to offer.
Tuesday 23rd April 2009
BACK ON STAGE..
I've scheduled a few hours business this morning and then I'll focus on the little charity gig I've got tonight. This will be the first time I've been on stage since I got my knee back so I'm looking forward to it.
Wednesday 24th June 2009
ONE DONE..
Episode One is complete at last! And it has had all the thumbs up from the team. I have to say myself it is funny! I'm already on to episode two and I've sketched out the storylines for the other four. I believe the writing process will speed up a bit now that I'm happy with the setting and style but when we get the commission schedule I suspect that four days per week lock-out writing time will only just be enough. So be it!
Monday 2nd to Wednesday 4th July 2009
SPEAKING IN VOICES..
I enjoyed my first voice-over sessions at Hulabaloo for the new BBC TV animated series "Muddle Earth". I'm playing several parts in this including Dr Cuddles the mad teddy bear who wants to rule the world, The Horned Baron who actually rules Muddle Earth (he doesn't rule his wife particularly well though), and Smink a lisping elf, plus assorted elves and ogres. It's been great fun so far and a lot of laughs working with the other voicers too. And I suppose I'll eventually develop a taste for sushi, but being a simple northerner I'll draw the line at having my own mongraphed chopsticks. It's a funny old world.
Monday 12th July 2009
FIRST DEADLINE MET..
Episode Two is now completed and I'm dead chuffed with it. I can't wait to see what the animators do with Audrey and her mates in the "Aerobatics For Fattish Lasses" class scene. That will be a treat! The six storyline synopses took a lot of joined-up thinking but they're done too. Whoopee!
Wednesday 29th July 2009
MORE VOICES AND A VISIT TO THE CHAPMAN WORKSHOP..
I had a recall to Hullabaloo Studios to try alternative voices for two of the Muddle Earth characters. It was a tough one but I gave a good account of myself - I think! Doing new voice characterisations has more to it than meets the eye: first I have to get under the skin of the character; then dig around in my voice box for a pitch and tone that suits and doesn't conflict with other characters in the dialogue; then find something to make it unique - like a lisp, or manner, or other idiosyncrosy - maybe by twisting my mouth or contorting my face. Then, in a perfect world, I can practise and get used to it before acting the part. But it isn't a perfect world is it? So it was all on the fly with me alone at the microphone, and producer, director, and soundman on the other side of the glass watching me pulling my face and making strange noises. Anyway, we put several demo voicings up on their FTP site for the decision-makers at the Beeb to judge.We'll hear soon no doubt.
I popped across to the Chapman workshops to see how the team are doing with the Bradshaws 'bible'. Bazzin'! It's in the form of a big flat box with a house-shaped front and back complete with windows and doors, and the inside containing miniature furniture and ornaments. Within it will be character introductions, model photos and illustrations, sample scripts, story outlines and a brief history of the Bradshaws. It looks totally unique and together with some audio, the models, and some stand-up from me, should knock the broadcasters out. Bring them on!
Tuesday 26th October 2009
YOU SET 'EM UP AND I'LL KNOCK 'EM DOWN...
Wow, is that the date already?!... a brief update is in order then. The Bradshaws bible is ready (see above for a description) and looking stunning - in fact, there are six of them, all identical, and some lucky commissioning editors are going to get to keep them as they are 'leave behinds'. I'm still awaiting the dates for the presentation to the broadcasters, and I'm planning to knock some funny bones when I get them locked in a room with me. Things are busy at the animation studios at the moment with current projects - and one 'big secret' one in particular - but the Bradshaws project should be back on the radar soon.
The BBC 'Muddle Earth' voice sessions are continuing and twelve episodes are now ready for edit. They look amazing and are bound to create a lot of interest when they begin transmission on CBBC around April 2010. I heard one episode with the music track overlayed and it's like a feature film. My main character is the 'Horned Baron', Ruler of Muddle Earth, and after several changes I'm really comfortable with him. I am looking forward to seeing 'Smink' in action too - he's funny. He's a goblin salesman I've contrived a character and voice for and had a lot of fun with. Hopefully the writers will cotton on to him and write him up a bit more later on in the series.
Finally for now, 'Hotsox Studios', my new recording studios, are up and running and I'm excited at getting stuck into my solo music album project soon!
TO BE CONTINUED...
HAWKINS IN THE TRICK CYCLISTS CHAIR
delving questions from Phil Steels AC/DC & Bar
When did you do your first Billy Bradshaw characterisation?
When I sat on a frozen Jubbly. Actually, it was in 1982 in the middle of the night on the Gary Davis Show, when he was the nightbeat jock on Piccadilly Radio.
Was it always planned as a radio feature?
It was never planned. I was employed as a musician to amuse the fruit bats, security guards and vallium barmcakes through the night, and keep the Musicians Union happy. I think I must have been overdosing on crappy vending machine coffee when The Bradshaws walked into my life.
How did you have access to getting it put on air?
By default. That’s to say by de fault of the management not bothering to listen to overnight broadcasts. We got away with murder.
What gave you the idea for the family and the background?
We used to run a feature called Poet’s Corner in which listeners were invited to phone in with their original poems. Gary Davis, Mick Coleman (of Bryan & Michael fame), Paul Lockitt (journalist) and myself would sit in judgement and decide who should win a prize. One night we were challenged to write a poem each and I wrote one about a family’s day trip to Blackpool. I read it over the air, using three voices and with some quiet brass band music to set the scene, and got a few letters asking for more. A year or so later the BBC commissioned me to write twenty episodes for the Alec Greenhalgh show, but it was 1986 before I got really busy, when Piccadilly Radio made me producer of The Phil Wood Show. Phil was a bit of a God on the radio but he was having a running battle with the management and they relegated him to a late night slot. We decided there was nothing to lose by playing safe, so we filled the programmes with bizarre characters and features - politically correct wasn’t even in it! I was doing up to ten comic characters a night including Father Fanakerpan, Ludovic Cabbie 595, Ronnie The Bin, Nigel The Washing Line Walker, Manuel’s Spanish Guitar for Beginners, Bert Scrogginbottom, Country Billy Gerkin and loads more I’ve forgotten about. Then I’d go home and write and record The Bradshaws stories. The cassettes sold like mad and the the CDs and they’ve been selling ever since. The first fifty or so episodes were in rhyme and metre but that got a bit restricting.
How far back can you remember?
The first birthday I remember was my fifth when the boy next door, Dennis, gave me a thri’penny bit. I don’t know what I did with it. I probably put it down the grid, I was always putting things down the grid. I do remember little things which I’m sure were earlier than that but I can’t put a date on them. I remember weeing the bed once or twice and trying to blame my brother, Ron.
How many kids from your childhood will recognise themselves?
I’m sure some will, though I’ve changed the names to protect the innocent. What I attempt to do is let everybody in by using characters and events that were and are in everybody’s street or classroom. Michael Morris, for instance. Everybody had a Michael Morris.. a pair of clinic specs, a plaster over one eye and the other eye skenning into the corner.
You have rather an unusual way of researching your material?..
Yeh, but it’s fun! I call in pubs, clubs, old folks homes, and get them talking about themselves. Most people can talk all night about themselves. One sure way of starting them off is by using what I call “Memory Jerkers” – simple words or phrases from times gone by, like, Bazooka Joes, Dolly Blues, Acdo. It’s always a good laugh. You should try it in the pub.
What do you enjoy most about The Bradshaws?
I love doing live shows – theatres, concerts, cabarets, after-dinner speaking. It’s a great feeling knowing the audience can relate to my writing. Not many people would recognise me at the check-out at Asda, even if I told them my name, but most have heard of The Bradshaws or Billy Bradshaw. I enjoy being a sort of unknown famous person. I love getting letters and e-mails, and they come from all the world, asking for Bradshaws tapes and CD’s and paraphernalia. I used to think that it was the radio broadcasts that spread the word about The Bradshaws but in fact the cassettes (there are now twenty volumes) are the real ambassadors. People send them to relatives and friends all over the world. Just in the last few weeks I’ve had e-mails from a German student requesting scripts to use in a thesis he’s doing on the English language(!); a package from an ex-patriot couple in Oz who sent me a miniature Aussie outside lav (a dunny); several from army lads who passed many nights in the desert listening to Bradshaws tapes. It makes me very happy.
What other voice work have you done?
I’ve been doing voices for a long time. I don’t do any worthwhile impersonations like them there TV impressionists do, except for a passable Derek Guyler, so I invent characters. Then I’m flattered when some impressionist does a impression of my characters. It’s a funny old world!
Is there anything you'd like to ask Buzz?..
well, just ask:  Just for old times sake, does anybody still write letters?.. you remember, with paper and pen?.. How quaint!.. Go on, write to me.."Buzz Hawkins, PO Box 301, Hyde, Cheshire, England, SK14 1WR
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