Craig Charles: Punk Poet, Stand up comedian, Actor (Red Dwarf, Coronation St), presenter and DJ – currently host on BBC6 Music’s ‘Funk & Soul show’ is a coming to Bedford Corn Exchange this June to spin the platters that matter.
After a slight technical problem – Craig had 1% power on his phone – (he borrowed a mans from the BBC…) We got to speak Craig and my short hand just got shorter, as Craig can talk…
C: Been to Bedford before?
CC: Yeah, been a few times, I love Bedford – used to do some stand-up comedy there, it’s a party place! lots of people milling around…
C: Best floor filler for you?
CC: Ooh, I’ve got 100s! ill make you dance till you can’t stand up! At the moment I’m revisiting the Zap Band, plus there’s a Stevie Wonder remix of Superstition by Funkanomics plus there’s Cross the Tracks…
C: I often cook while your funk & soul show is on, whats your favourite dish? (maybe I can cook it next time I tune in)
CC: It’s a kitchen disco! People listen to the show, cook, have their friends round, few drinks, Thats where its at! No queues, no taxis, no dickheads.
My kids love my ‘Prawn Aurora’ – chillis, garlic, cardamon seeds, tomatoes – flash fry the prawns – bang! serve with pasta or rice. You serve that to a girl, you’ll be onto a winner!
C: Is the Rovers Return like a pub or a set?
CC: Oh, like a set, it was smaller but now its larger now its at MediaCity – it’s like a Wetherspoons now!
C: So no Betties Hot Pot now?
CC: Yes, it’s still going, Betty gave the recipe to Shaun. No real beer though…
C: My first memories of you are your poetry (on Wogan)Do you still write?
CC: Yes, still write, in fact I’m working on a big project involving the 90 piece BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – It’s called ’Scary Fairy Tales’ and will be broadcast this Halloween on BBC2s Friday Night is Music Night. A show for all ages…
C: You’ve had a busy, varied career, anything you’d still like to do?
CC: Yeah, be Bond – Black Bond, no that’s Broken Bond. I would like to do some films but I’m 50 now, getting too old, I’ll stick with the 6 Music, ha ha…
C: Any anecdotes from the Liverpool music scene?
CC: I was in ‘What For’ a band, with Pete Bests (of The Beatles) brother. I also knew, Pete Wylie, Teardop Explodes…When they had ‘Reward’ out, Teardrops had a 7 night residency at The Temple Bar – I leaped on stage and (Craig recites whole poem about punks with great gusto). Julian’s never spoke to me since…
C: My nephew picked up the word ‘wazzock’ from Takeshi’s Castle, any other choice Liverpudlian words?
CC: I think ‘wazzocks an irish word. During Takeshi’s Castle, the things we got away with saying on tea-time TV, innuendo-agogo!
My dad used to say ‘Tell the nuns bottoms, clear up the custard’ daft things like that.
Bedford Corn Exchange, Friday 15th May
Tickets £13-£15 at Bedford Corn Exchange, Marios Hair Design Kempston, Boutique Planet & Seetickets.com
thepadpresents.com
