Russ Abbot

Russell Allan Abbot (born Russell Allan Roberts; 18 September 1947) is a retired English musician, actor and comedian. Born in Chester, he first came to public notice during the 1970s as the singer and drummer with British comedy showband the Black Abbots, later forging a prominent solo career as a television comedian with his own weekly show on British television.

Continuing his musical career as a solo artist, Abbot released several charting singles and albums. The band only signed their first major recording contract in 1977, putting out a series of comedy singles and one live album (Abbot now taking lead vocals) before disbanding in 1980.

Subsequently, he appeared as a comedian, winning the 'Funniest Man on Television' award five times. Abbot appeared on the television show The Comedians under his birth name (Russ Roberts).

From 1980 onward, he released some albums as a solo artist and appeared in several TV series. The most successful of his music singles, "Atmosphere", did well in the UK top 10, peaking at No. 7 in 1985. These prompted two annuals to be published in 1982–83, featured comic strips based on the show's popular characters, plus some publicity photos of Abbot in a variety of guises, including his well-known James Bond satire featuring characters named Basildon Bond and Miss Funnyfanny (based on the fictional MI6 spy duo James Bond and Miss Moneypenny).

In January 1993, Abbot hosted an Elvis special of Stars in Their Eyes; this was originally to be presented by Leslie Crowther, who had suffered serious injuries in a car crash in his Rolls-Royce in October 1992. Abbot was brought in as a temporary host, and this was the only episode he hosted. Crowther was unable to return, and died in 1996; he was replaced by Matthew Kelly, who then hosted the show until 2004.

Between 1993 and 1995, Abbot starred as Ted Fenwick, alongside Michael Williams in the ITV bittersweet comedy-drama, September Song.

From 2000, Abbot played the lead role in the British National Tour of Doctor Dolittle.

In 2008, he guest-starred in The Sarah Jane Adventures episode "Secrets of the Stars" as a character called Martin Trueman, an astrologer who was possessed by the Ancient Lights. In 2009, Abbot played a pet shop owner in an episode of Casualty. He later parodied the character he played in Casualty when appearing in Harry Hill's TV Burp.

In December 2020, University Radio Nottingham presenters George Scotland and Damian Stephen decided to start an internet campaign to get "Atmosphere" to number one for Christmas. The campaign, in the style of previous internet campaigns for Rage Against The Machine and AC/DC (both of whom charted within the Top 5) was endorsed by Abbot as well as Paul Chuckle and Alistair Griffin, with "Atmosphere" highlighted as one of the contenders for Christmas Number One by the Official Charts Company.

Family Abbot has been married to Patricia Simpson since 1967. They have four children. 1984 – "Atmosphere" (UK No. 7, in the chart for thirteen weeks)

Albums 1984 – Russ Abbot's Madhouse 1985 – I Love a Party – (UK No. 12) 1990 – Songs of Joy

Filmography