Julian Clary
Julian Clary | |
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Terry & Julian All Rise for Julian Clary | |
Website | julianclary |
Julian Peter McDonald Clary (born 25 May 1959) is an English actor, comedian, novelist and presenter. He began appearing on television in the mid-1980s.[1] Since then, he has also acted in films, on television and in stage productions, including numerous pantomimes. He was the winner of Celebrity Big Brother 10 in 2012.
Early life and education
Clary was born on 25 May 1959 in Surbiton, Surrey, to Brenda (née McDonald) Clary, a probation officer, and Peter J. Clary, a police officer. He was brought up in Teddington, Middlesex, with two older sisters. By his own account, he was conceived "in broad daylight" in Clacton-on-Sea in 1958.[2] Two of his great-grandparents were Germans who had immigrated to Britain at the end of the nineteenth century.[3] He and his siblings were raised as Roman Catholics. He attended St Benedict's School, Ealing[4] and, later, he studied English and Drama at Goldsmiths' College, University of London.
Stand-up comedy
Clary is gay, and his sexuality forms the basis for much of his comedy. He refers to himself as a "renowned homosexual"[5] and is known for his outrageous and flamboyant costumes and make-up, and interactions with his audience such as looking in their bags, commenting on their attire and flirting with straight men in the audience. For those who get too close he is quick to respond "Don't touch me". He has been assisted by Hugh Jelly and others in audience participation segments.
Clary began his career under the name Leo Hurll, a fake keyboardist for pop band Thinkman (a recording project conceived by Rupert Hine).[6][7] He entered the alternative comedy scene in the early 1980s, firstly under the alias Gillian Pieface and later as The Joan Collins Fan Club. He wore heavy glam make-up and dressed in outrageous clothes, often involving leather/PVC and hinting at bondage. His pet dog Fanny the Wonderdog, a whippet mongrel, also featured in performances.[8]
Since then, Clary has undertaken several tours of his stage act, some of which have been released on home video, including:
- The Mincing Machine Tour (1989)
- My Glittering Passage (1993)
- Natural Born Mincer (2003)
- Lord of the Mince (2009–10)
- Position Vacant: Apply Within (2012–13)[9]
- The Joy of Mincing (2016)[10]
- Born to Mince (2019)[11]
He was named Ambassador for the 2016 Adelaide Fringe, responsible for promoting the festival internationally.[12]
Television
After a number of appearances on
Also in 1992, he played a cameo guest star part in the BBC drama Virtual Murder. In the episode "A Dream of Dracula", he played an undertaker, alongside other guest stars including Alfred Marks, Jill Gascoine, Ronald Fraser and Peggy Mount. In the same year, while visiting Australia, he made a controversial appearance alongside Rex Mossop on Tonight Live with Steve Vizard, during which Mossop espoused homophobic opinions.[15] He also appeared in an episode of the improvisational comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1991.
On 12 December 1993, he made an infamous appearance at the
From 1998 to 2001, he hosted three series of the Sky TV show
He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 2001 when he was surprised by Michael Aspel during the curtain call of the pantomime Cinderella at the Richmond Theatre.[citation needed]
On 1 February 2006, he appeared on the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are?, a genealogy series which traced his ancestors to a World War I flight engineer and German immigrants among both his mother's and father's forebears.[24] In May 2006, and again in April 2008, he hosted an episode of the topical quiz show Have I Got News for You.[13]
In September 2006, he returned to primetime TV as presenter and judge on Channel 5's brand new celebrity performance programme
In November 2006, he appeared on
In 2007, he made a cameo appearance in the Australian soap opera, Neighbours, in scenes filmed in London with Natalie Bassingthwaighte.[27]
From 20 March 2007, Clary presented a brand-new show for the BBC called The Underdog Show. Celebrities and children were paired up with rescue dogs. They then commenced training and competed against each other in obedience and agility trials in a live arena. The show ran until 26 April 2007.[28]
He also appeared on television regularly in 2008, starting in January when he was drafted in as a relief presenter for This Morning,[13] co-presenting alongside Fern Britton and Ruth Langsford during Phillip Schofield's absence. In April, he once again fronted the BBC One series Have I Got News for You, and he filmed an episode of Celebrity Bargain Hunt in May. He was also a short-notice guest on The Paul O'Grady Show in October 2008, after Peter Andre and Katie Price could not appear (Clary and O'Grady were friends and neighbours).[29]
In 2012, Clary was one of the contestants in
In March 2015, it was announced that Clary would take part in ITV's Give a Pet a Home show which works alongside the RSPCA in Birmingham.[30] The series began airing on 15 April 2015 for six episodes.
From 1 August 2015, Clary presented Nature Nuts with Julian Clary, a new three-part nature show for ITV.[31]
Clary was a contestant on the 16th series of Taskmaster, along with Lucy Beaumont, Sam Campbell, Sue Perkins and Susan Wokoma, which started broadcasting in September 2023.[32] He came second.
Theatre and pantomime
Clary played Leigh Bowery in the West End of London musical Taboo in 2002. He also took part in the touring production in 2004.[8]
From 2 October 2007, he played the much coveted role of '
Clary starred as Michael in Le Grand Mort, a play written specifically for him by playwright Stephen Clark (prior to his death in 2016), opposite James Nelson-Joyce as Tim from 20 September to 28 October 2017 at
Clary was due to appear as Norman in a UK tour of The Dresser by Ronald Harwood, alongside Matthew Kelly as 'Sir' in September 2020, however due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the production was postponed to 2021.[33]
Clary has appeared in numerous Christmas pantomimes and has recently become a regular star of the London Palladium pantomimes. In December 2019, Clary was inducted in a ceremony held by Andrew Lloyd Webber onto the Wall of Fame, joining the many stars that have appeared at the Palladium.[34]
In 2023, Clary joined the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar for the UK tour, playing the part of Herod from 11 September onwards. [35]
Year | Pantomime / Show | Role | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Henchman / Tim | The Old Vic, London (recorded for ITV) |
1999 | Cinderella | The Good Fairy | Brixton Academy (recorded for ITV)
|
2000 | Aladdin | Genie of the Lamp | New Wimbledon Theatre (recorded for ITV) |
2000–01 | Cinderella | Dandini | Theatre Royal, Brighton |
2001 | Dick Whittington | Chris the Cat | New Wimbledon Theatre (recorded for ITV) |
2001–02 | Cinderella | Dandini | Theatre Royal, Richmond |
2002 | Taboo | Leigh Bowery | Venue Theatre, London |
2002–03 | Cinderella | Dandini | New Victoria Theatre, Woking |
2003–04 | Cinderella | Dandini | Birmingham Hippodrome |
2004 | Taboo | Leigh Bowery | UK tour |
2004–05 | Cinderella | Dandini | Bristol Hippodrome |
2005–06 | Cinderella | Dandini | Liverpool Empire Theatre |
2006–07 | Dick Whittington | Spirit of the Bells | Derngate Theatre, Northampton
|
2007 | Cabaret | Emcee | Lyric Theatre, London |
2009 | Strictly Come Dancing Live! | Himself | UK tour |
2009–10 | Cinderella | Dandini | Hawth Theatre, Crawley |
2010–11 | Dick Whittington | Spirit of the Bells | Birmingham Hippodrome |
2011–12 | Cinderella | Dandini | Theatre Royal, Plymouth |
2012–13 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Spirit of the Beans | Mayflower Theatre, Southampton |
2013–14 | New Theatre, Cardiff | ||
2014–15 | Cinderella | Dandini | Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton |
2015–16 | Aladdin | Spirit of the Ring | Birmingham Hippodrome |
2016–17 | Cinderella | Dandini | London Palladium |
2017 | Le Grand Mort | Michael | Trafalgar Studios 2, London
|
2017–18 | Dick Whittington | Spirit of the Bells | London Palladium |
2018–19 | Snow White | The Man in the Mirror | |
2019–20 | Goldilocks and the Three Bears | The Ring Master | |
2020–21 | Pantoland at the Palladium | Himself | |
2021 | The Dresser | Norman | UK tour |
2021–22 | Pantoland at the Palladium | Himself | London Palladium |
2022–23 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Spirit of the Beans | |
2023–24 | Peter Pan | Seaman Smee | |
2023–24 | Jesus Christ Superstar | Herod | UK tour |
Film
Clary appeared in the film
Clary returned to film in 2001 in the film The Baby Juice Express
Radio
Clary appeared on The Big Fun Show in 1988.[38]
In 1992 Clary hosted a radio show for the BBC called Intimate Contact, the premise of which was for him to act as a genial 'Mr Fix-it' for a wide range of 'punter' problems. Clary attempted to solve these issues over the telephone, with the assistance of roving reporter "Hugh Jelly" (actor Philip Herbert). It originally aired on BBC Radio 1 for two series; the pilot and 6-part first series have since been repeated on BBC Radio 4 Extra a number of times.[39][40]
He is also often a guest on Just a Minute, the BBC Radio 4 comedy show.[8]
Writing
Clary has released two large format comedy books: My Life With Fanny The Wonder Dog (1989) and How To Be A Man (1992). Between 2005 and 2008, Clary wrote a fortnightly column for the New Statesman magazine.
Autobiographies
He published an autobiography, A Young Man's Passage, which covers his life and career up to the 1993 "Norman Lamont incident" at the British Comedy Awards (see above). Then in 2021 The Lick of Love: How Dogs Changed My Life, telling his life through his pets to more recent times.
- Clary, Julian (7 April 2005). A Young Man's Passage. Ebury Press. ISBN 978-0-09-190872-0.
- Clary, Julian (October 2021). The Lick of Love: How Dogs Changed My Life. Quercus. ISBN 978-1529412505.
Novels
In 2007, Clary released his first novel, Murder Most Fab, published by
- Clary, Julian (16 August 2007). ISBN 978-0-09-191449-3.
- Clary, Julian (7 May 2009). Devil in Disguise. Ebury Press. ISBN 978-0-09-192733-2.
- Clary, Julian (29 March 2012). Briefs Encountered. Ebury Press. ISBN 978-0-09-193883-3.
Children's books ("The Bolds")
Since 2015 he has written a number of books for children:
- Clary, Julian (30 July 2015). The Bolds. Andersen Press. ISBN 978-1783443055.
- Clary, Julian (3 March 2016). The Bolds to the Rescue. Andersen Press. ISBN 978-1783443802.
- Clary, Julian (13 July 2017). The Bolds on Holiday. Andersen Press. ISBN 978-1783445066.
- Clary, Julian (February 2018). The Bolds' Great Adventure: World Book Day 2018. Andersen Press. ISBN 978-1783446292.
- Clary, Julian (September 2018). The Bolds in Trouble. Andersen Press. ISBN 978-1787611283.
- Clary, Julian (October 2019). The Bolds' Christmas Cracker: A Festive Puzzle Book. Andersen Press. ISBN 978-1783448425.
- Clary, Julian (July 2020). The Bolds Go Wild. Andersen Press. ISBN 978-1783448043.
- Clary, Julian (July 2021). The Bolds Go Green. Andersen Press. ISBN 978-1839132070.
Music
Clary often performs comical renditions of musical numbers in his stage and television appearances, ranging from old classics to original material. He released a music single in 1988 (credited as the Joan Collins Fan Club), a humorous rendition of "Leader of the Pack", which he often performed in his stage and television appearances at the time. The single was produced by Rupert Hine and reached number 60 in the UK Singles Chart.[41] Another single, "Wand'rin' Star", was released in 1990. The single was backed with the self-penned track, "Uncanny and Unnatural".
Personal life
Clary's boyfriend Christopher died of AIDS in 1991.[42] Clary has been in a relationship with Ian Mackley since 2005, and the couple were married on 19 November 2016.[43] They lived at Goldenhurst Farm, a seventeenth-century manor house once owned by Noël Coward, in Aldington, Kent until 2018.[44][45] Clary also has a house in Camden, North London.[46]
On 7 September 2005, the
Stand-up VHS and DVD
Title | Released | Notes |
---|---|---|
The Mincing Machine Tour | 1989 | Live at London's Hackney Empire |
My Glittering Passage | 1993 | Live at Swansea's Grand Theatre |
Live – Lord of the Mince | 29 November 2010 | Live at Salford's Lowry Theatre
|
References
- ^ a b Jackson, Tina (24 July 2010). "My Family Values: Julian Clary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ISBN 9781448116584. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ "WDYTYA? Series Two: Celebrity Gallery". BBC. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- ^ "Close Up talks to camp comedian Julian Clary". Tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 12 May 2010.:(Commentary; "The conservatively raised Catholic with the flawless skin is now happy to confront aging and he is taking it literally in his stride.")
- ^ Taskmaster (TV series). Season 16. Episode 4. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "visible in the video for the song "Formula"". YouTube.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- ^ Julian Clary confirms this in his autobiography, A Young Man's Passage.
- ^ a b c d e f g "The Theatre Workshop: Julian Clary". Thetheatreworkshop.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
- ^ "Julian Clary's Official Website". Julianclary.co.uk. 27 April 2014. Archived from the original on 4 June 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- ^ "Julian Clary on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ Guide, British Comedy (7 June 2018). "Julian Clary announces 2019 tour". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ "British comic Julian Clary named 2016 Fringe ambassador". Adelaidefringe.com.au. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ a b c "Interview: Julian Clary, comedian". The Scotsman. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ a b Millard, Rosie (23 October 2011). "Sticky Moments". The Independent. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "Tonight Live with Steve Vizard". Seven Network (via YouTube). 29 October 1992. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ "Television company apologises for comic's lewd jibe at Lamont". The Independent. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ "STICKY MOMENTS". The Independent. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ "6) "Talk about a red box!" – TV Cream". Tvcream.co.uk. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- Pink News. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "Van Outen joins Clary for second run of Prickly Heat". Broadcastnow.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "Television Pantomimes". Its-behind-you.com. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ Lane, Harriet (8 December 2002). "Behind you? Oh, no it's not". The Observer. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "National Lottery Come and Have a Go ..." Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "Who Do You Think You Are?: Julian Clary". Whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "About Julian Clary". Julianclary.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ Blake, Elissa (12 April 2014). "Julian Clary: The cutting-edge riposte". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ Donaldson, Brian. "5 things you might not know about Julian Clary". List.co.uk. The List. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "The Underdog Show: About the show". Bbcattic.org. BBC. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ Jackson, Tina (24 July 2010). "My family values: Julian Clary". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "Give a Pet a Home on ITV". Itv.com. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "Nature Nuts with Julian Clary Episode 1". Itv.com. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- ^ "Taskmaster season 16: Release date, line-up and latest news". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Comerford, Ruth (25 October 2019). "Julian Clary and Matthew Kelly to star in UK tour of The Dresser". The Stage. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ "Julian Clary joins The London Palladium Wall of Fame | LW Theatres News". LW Theatres. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ^ "Jesus Christ Superstar UK tour – Julian Clary to play Herod | WestEndTheatre.com". Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Carry On Columbus: cast list". Film.list.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "British Board of Film Classification: Baby Juice Express". Bbfc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "The Big Fun Show". Radiolistings.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "Intimate Contact with Julian Clary". Tvcream.co.uk. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra: Intimate Contact". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ "The Official Charts Company.com (Joan Collins Fan Club)". Archive.is. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- ^ Jonze, Tim (23 September 2019). "Julian Clary: 'I have the right to be a camp, effeminate homosexual'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ "Julian Clary on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- ^ "Celebrity Gardeners: Julian Clary's garden". The Daily Telegraph. 29 July 2011. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- ^ Hoffman, Grace (23 February 2022). "Julian Clary and his quiet life in the Ashford countryside in a 17th Century manor house". Kent Live. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ Jones, Alice (13 July 2017). "Julian Clary: 'It's liberating not doing the filth'". Inews.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ^ "The Roll of Honorary Fellows Goldsmiths College, University of London" (PDF).[dead link]
- ^ Vare, Rosie (23 July 2014). "Photo gallery: Comedian Julian Clary among those receiving degrees from University of East Anglia – Home – Eastern Daily Press". Edp24.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 February 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
External links
- Official Julian Clary website
- Official website for Clary's published books at the Wayback Machine (archived 17 May 2014)
- Julian Clary at IMDb
- Julian Clary on Who Do You Think You Are?
- "Julian's Week". New Statesman. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- Marcus Lush interview with Julian Clary (NZ)
- What's On Wales interview with Julian Clary