Billy Pearce
| Billy Pearce | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 February 1951 |
| Medium | Stand-up |
| Nationality | British |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Genres | Rapid-fire gags and jokes |
| Website | Official website |
Billy Pearce (born 1 February 1951) is an English performer, comedian, actor and entertainer. A regular on UK television in the 1980s and 1990s, Pearce has been described as a "supreme entertainer"[citation needed]. He particularly loves performing at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford, where he consistently breaks box office records [1]
Early life
Pearce was born in
Career in showbusiness
Pearce began his career in mainstream
He has been a regular on stage, performing a summer season with acts such as
Pearce has acted on television in shows such as
2008 saw Billy performing at Bridlington Spa Theatre, Blackpool Tower and Skegness Embassy Theatre in 'Billy Pearce's Big Night Out' along with Neil Hurst, Linda Newport and Safire (illusionists)
In 2009 Billy toured theatres in the UK in Comedy Night Out Tour with Jimmy Cricket and Mick Miller and also starred in The Billy Pearce Laughter Show at the North Pier Blackpool which broke box office records and was voted the best show in Blackpool 2009.
In September 2010, appeared in Morley Amateur Operatic Society's production of "Return to the Forbidden Planet" as the newsreader.
2010 saw Billy return to the North Pier alongside Guy Barrett, son of well known Norman Barrett, Neil Hurst and Leanne Fury [5]
In 2011 Billy moved his Laughter show from North Pier to the Grand Theatre, Blackpool bringing Neil Hurst with him and Emma Gilmour. During this season Billy Pearce celebrated his 1000th performance on stage at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool
In 2016 he appeared in Peter Pan at the Alhambra Theatre. It was his 18th pantomime in Bradford.[6]
Catchphrase
In many of Billy Pearce's Summer shows and pantomimes, he uses the catchphrase "Hiya kids" to much comic effect. He often uses a silly accent or voice to heighten this effect. He famously uses the word 'Chuffin' in tandem with 'Chafing'. On TV and his stand-up shows he often used 'I will tell you when!' (To imply the audience had started laughing too early to an extended joke)
Charity work
On 25 February 2012, Pearce became the second patron of Yorkshire Children's Trust, a Yorkshire charity offering grants to families with sick or disabled children.[7]
On 1 March 2014, Pearce attended the 3rd Birthday of Yorkshire Children's Trust. He talked with families the charities had helped, posed for photographs and cut the official charity birthday cake in front of the media. The charity will also be providing a disabled play area in Halifax which will include the Billy Pearce Community Room.[8]
In April 2021, Pearce became the first Patron for local community charity, WF3 Kindness who work across the South Leeds and North Kirklees area. Pearce, who lives local to the charity supported the organisation since their incorporation in 2020 and said at the time “I feel incredibly proud to have been asked. "WF3 Kindness do wonderful things for so many in the local area and I'm excited to be involved and look forward to working with them in the future".[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Broadening his horizons – Billy Pearce". The Stage. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ^ a b c "Billy Pearce". Nigel Round. Archived from the original on 4 January 2006. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
- ^ "Billy Pearce". Chris Davis Management. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
- ^ "Leeds funny man to narrate Rocky Horror Show". WY Metro. Retrieved 22 August 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "Blackpool North Pier". Archived from the original on 9 August 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
- ^ "Billy Pearce: How Yorkshire's panto king almost lost it all". The Yorkshire Post. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
- ^ "Celebrity Patrons". Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
- ^ "Funny man Billy Pearce brings laughter to the party!". Retrieved 9 March 2014.
- ^ "WF3 Kindnesss | News | KING BILLY BECOMES OUR PATRON". WF3 Kindness. Retrieved 4 April 2024.