Bernard Manning

Bernard Manning (born August 13, 1930) is a famous working class British comedian who was very popular in the 1970s. His material has been criticised for being politically incorrect, or racist by commentators ? often derided by Manning supporters as middle class ? and he has not been on British television regularly for some years, though the liberal columnist and broadcaster Mark Lawson has said that he feels uncomfortable at an implicit ban being in place. Manning still tours however, and draws sizable audiences.

Related Topics:
August 13 - 1930 - Working class - British - Comedian - 1970s - Politically incorrect - Middle class - Television - Mark Lawson

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Manning made his TV debut in Granada's stand-up comedy show The Comedians (1971-73, later revived). He went on to compere The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club (1974-77).

Related Topics:
TV - Granada's - Stand-up comedy - The Comedians - 1971 - 73 - The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club - 1974 - 77

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He owns and performed at a club (The Embassy) in Harpurhey, a suburb of Manchester; today he rarely makes an appearance and his son manages the club.

Related Topics:
Harpurhey - Manchester

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Manning appeared on the spoof documentary Brass Eye, believing it to be genuine, and on genuine documentaries about alternative comedy and variety. In 2004, he visited India and performed in two shows for a Channel 4 documentary. The first show went reasonably well, although during the second show he walked off during the performance after an indifferent audience response, blaming a faulty microphone.

Related Topics:
Brass Eye - Alternative comedy - Variety - Channel 4

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Bernard Manning was also an effective singer of popular ballads and fronted many big bands in the 1950s, such as Oscar Rabin's. On The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club he sang a straight song every week.

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In 1994, he appeared as a guest on Caroline Aherne's spoof guest show The Mrs Merton Show. He declared himself as a racist, and referred to "pakis". He got into a heated argument with Richard Wilson. The Broadcasting Standards Commission upheld twelve complaints over the show. http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/1/low/entertainment/179263.stm http://www.bsc.org.uk/pdfs/bulletin/bulletin14.pdf

Related Topics:
1994 - Caroline Aherne - The Mrs Merton Show - Paki - Richard Wilson - Broadcasting Standards Commission

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In 2003 Manning's agent accepted a booking from the BNP for an event in Burnley http://www.sundayherald.com/35563, although Manning did not appearhttp://www.searchlightmagazine.com/index.php?link=template&story=33, having asserted that career-wise he would be "fucking barmy" to do so.

Related Topics:
2003 - BNP - Fucking

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