After rising to fame as a folk singer and comedian in the mid-70s, the career of Jasper Carrott spans over 40 years. Becoming one of the most prolific television TV presenters, he has also appeared in several films and is widely regarded as the Godfather of British comedy. Here, we take a trip down memory lane to focus on his life and career.
Jasper Carrott was born Robert Norman Davis OBE in 1945, in Shaftmoor Lane, Acocks Green, in Birmingham. He received the nickname "Jasper" when he was a schoolboy and won the name “Carrott” when he was asked for his nickname.
Jasper Carrott attended Acocks Green Primary School and Moseley Grammar School. He worked as a trainee buyer at a city centre department store, the Beehive, with his schoolmate Bev Bevan.
Although Carrott had a talent for joke telling, he made his debut on the music scene as a folk singer. He performed folk songs and MC duties.
In 1972, Jasper Carrott married journalist Hazel Jackson. The couple has a daughter, the actress Lucy Clare Davis.
The folk singer recorded an album called Jasper Carrot in 1973, which he sold from his van. This first album contained the original "Magic Roundabout".
The new double A-side record Funky Moped/Magic Roundabout was released in 1975. The album was written by Chris Rohmann and produced by Jeff Lynne. It gained a UK Top 5 chart hit.
In the late 1970s, he performed rather autobiographical anecdote sketches. His sketches celebrated Birmingham City and, in particular, the Birmingham accent and culture.
His humorous autobiography, A Little Zit on the Side, was published in 1979, boosting his success not only in the UK but also in several countries.
On August 11, 1975, Jasper Carrott made his first appearance on television in a half-hour show for BBC Midlands. Called The Golden Game, the programme was about local football.
In 1982, the comedian appeared on the BBC for a Saturday night comedy show called Carrott's Lib and Carrot’s Commercial Breakdown. He also performed other sketches and stand-up shows.
In 1978, Carrott recorded his first TV series with LWT, called An Audience with Jasper Carrott. The Unrecorded Jasper Carrott (1979) and Beat the Carrott (1981) are his most popular live stand-up performances.
In 1979, Carrott released humorous paperbacks A Little Zit On The Side, and The Sweet and Sour Labrador in 1982. He is also the author of a novel called Shop! Or A Store Is Born.
In the year 1986, Jasper Carrott hosted the Birmingham Heart Beat Charity Concert with local bands and Georges Harrison from the Beatles.
In 1987, the actor endorsed the role of Heinrich in the British comedy film Jane and the Lost City. He also featured a police drama called The Detectives, with Robert Powell, which later became a series.
In 2003, he was designated an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year's Honours for charitable services. In addition, the University of Birmingham awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2004.
Carrott performed in several concerts of The Secret Policeman's Ball charity for Amnesty International. In 2005, he returned to singing for the musical Go and Play Up Your Own End.
In 2005, Carrott performed in the first Jasper Carrott's Rock With Laughter concert. This became a regular show at the NEC in Birmingham that was usually broadcast in December.
In 2007, Carrott was inducted into the Birmingham Walk of Stars at the Arts Fest 2007 celebrations. On December 6, 2008, the comedian received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Comedy Awards.
Carrott was an associate at the production company Celador, the creator of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? In 2006, the presenter and his wife Hazel sold their shares for £10 million.
