John Gorman

John Gorman (born 4 January 1936) is an English comedian, vocalist and comedy musician. He is best known for being a member of the trio The Scaffold with Mike McCartney and Roger McGough, and for being a host on the children's show Tiswas from 1978 to 1981.

Early life and education Gorman was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, in 1936. After grammar school, Gorman worked as a telecommunications engineer for the GPO and did national service in the Royal Air Force.

Career Gorman was the founder of the comedy music group The Scaffold, with Mike McGear (now McCartney) and Roger McGough. They are best known for their records, "Thank U Very Much" (1967) and their 1968 hit single "Lily the Pink", which was Christmas number one of that year. The Scaffold disbanded in 1977 but all three members would form the successor, the band GRIMMS, formed at the suggestion of Gorman. The 'G' in Gorman providing the 'G' in GRIMMS name (Gorman, Roberts, Innes, McGear, McGough, Stanshall).

During the 1970s he made brief film appearances in Frankie Howerd's medieval set farce Up the Chastity Belt (1971), Melody (1971), Terry Gilliam's Jabberwocky (1977), where he is credited as 'second peasant', and The Music Machine (1979) as a newsagent. In the early 1970s, Gorman created his "P.C. Plod" character and from 1972—1973 he released two novelty singles with Island Records. A short film was made starring Gorman as P.C. Plod in 1972 and the character was revived on Tiswas. He also made a comedy musical album for DJM Records, Go Man Gorman in 1977.

He also made appearances on the British children's television show Tiswas between 1977 until the shows end in 1981 (becoming a regular member in 1978). Gorman, with Tiswas presenters Chris Tarrant, Sally James and Bob Carolgees, was one of the Four Bucketeers, a novelty band whose highest-charting single was "Bucket of Water Song", which reached No. 26 in the UK Singles Chart in 1980. The Bucket of Water song was originally a sketch made by Gorman for the show.

After Tiswas stopped broadcasting in 1981, Gorman worked with Chris Tarrant on its adult-oriented successor O.T.T.. He then moved to Tyne Tees, and was a co-host on the children's game show How Dare You! from 1984 to 1987 and later appeared as a guest on another children's show, Razzmatazz in 1986.

After a period living in France, he returned as artistic director for the Theatre on the Steps in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England.

Gorman is involved in many events celebrating visual arts and literary that take place in The Wirral and Liverpool. Throughout the 2020s, the Scaffold have performed on and off again reunion shows, which was suggested by Gorman according to McCartney. On 16 April 2022, Gorman reunited once again with Bob Carolgees, Sally James and Chris Tarrant for a Tiswas reunion show at St George's in Bristol as part of the city's annual Slapstick Festival.

Personal life Gorman has three children from his first marriage and four grandchildren. 1973: "W.P.C. Hodges / I Remember" — Island Records (released as "P.C. Plod) L. the P. — The Scaffold — Parlophone Records — 1969 1969: The Talk of the Town — himself — one episode 1969: The Mike Douglas Show — himself — one episode 1970—1971: Score with the Scaffold — himself — seven episodes 1972: He Said, She Said — himself — one episode 1973: Full House — himself — one episode 1973: Up Sunday — himself — one episode 1975: The London Weekend Show — himself — one episode 1976: Camera and the Song — himself — one episode (with GRIMMS) 1978—1981: Tiswas — himself — twenty-five episodes 1979: Not the Nine O'Clock News — various roles — two episodes 1981: The Children's Royal Variety Show — himself — one episode 1982: O.T.T. — himself — twelve episodes 1982—1987: Hold Tight! — himself — ? episodes 1984—1987: How Dare You! — himself — ? episodes 1984: Names and Games — himself — one episode 1986: Razzmatazz — himself — one episode 1997: This Is Your Life — himself — one episode (Chris Tarrant special) 2000: 100 Greatest TV Moments From Hell — himself — one episode 2000: Stars and Their Lives — himself — one episode 2001: Never Mind the Buzzcocks — himself — one episode 2007: Tiswas Reunited — himself — one episode 2009: The One Show — himself — one episode