Johnnie Casson

How, Where and Why

Johnnie Casson hails from Halifax, West Yorkshire, now living in Brighouse for tax reasons, as he will tell you.

He commenced his showbiz career as drummer with “The Cresters”, one of the country’s favourite comedy show groups. It wasn’t long before Johnnie took over the lead comic role, a role to which he was perfectly suited and one to which he was committed for the 21 years with the band. As well as touring with The Beatles, the band topped the bill in the then thriving cabaret clubs and found success on many television shows such as “Cliff Richard & Friends”

Whilst on holiday, his family persuaded him to enter a national talent contest. To his amazement, he not only won the heats, but also won the outright prize at The London Palladium. This encouraged him to leave the band and set off on the path as a solo performer. Television soon followed, an appearance on “Bobs Says Opportunity Knocks” prompted Bob Monkhouse to say, “Johnnie is one of the top four comedians in the country”.  A chance to take part in Granada TV’s remake of the historic “Comedians” show found Johnnie being featured on all 6 shows and was critically acclaimed as the find of the series.

Johnnie’s first appearance on ITV’s “Des O’Connor Tonight” was so succesful it was followed by a further 4 appearances. This continued on the daytime TV Des & Mel, with Johnnie being booked on 4 occassions.

Bruce Forsyth so enjoyed John’s act he asked for him to be a guest on his 70th birthday show which was broadcast live from the London Palladium. From this ITV asked Johnnie to appear in the series of “Sunday Night At the London Palladium”

“To cabaret fans in the north, it is always puzzling that the brilliant master comedian and storyteller Johnnie Casson is so rarely seen on our television screens these days. Rampant ageism in television-land? In any event, Casson quickly reduced an early evening audience to a creased up, moist-eyed bunch of laughter stricken victims and soon everyone in the room was vibrating with unrestrained and uncontrollable mirth. In my view a modern day Al Read, Casson has to be one of the funniest men this country has ever produced. In short, a comedy one-off.” Mark Ritchie The Stage Newspaper