Friday 2 January 2015

Collette Johnson
Not much has been written about this unsung hero other
than her other appearances in 'The Prisoner' - 1995 -
entitled 'She's Out'.

She also appeared as a protester on the set of 'The Bill' in 1990
and - wait for it! as a protester in the TV episode of 'Body Language'
1990 Collette made her debut in 'The Real McCoy' in 1990
as series writer.
Tributes have been pouring in for The Real McCoy star
Collette Johnson, who [Died:] on Saturday (August 31).
The 52-year-old comedian, who was one of the original
performers on the much-loved BBC sketch show,
died of cancer of the spine, after discovering
she had the illness earlier this year.

R.I.P.

Ishmael Thomas
Debut in 1990 as a series writer in 'The Real McCoy'
Appeared in two series in a unknown episode 'Paramount City' 1991

Curtis Walker

Meera Syal

Meers Syal is a women of many talents. A successful writer and
actress since the year she left university, Meera has
written and starred in a wide range of television, radio
and theater productions. Most recently she has co-written
and starred in the first Asian comedy sketch show
broadcast on BBC, 'Goodness Gracious Me', with radio
as it's first hearing.

At a young age Meera wanted to do something creative
with her life but didn't feel
that she could. Her parents hope for her to become a Doctor.
Meera was especially
known for her role along side the funny and all inspiring
Leo Chester in 'The Real McCoy 'Rub-A-Dub takes.
'

Robbie Gee



Robbie Gee (Born 24th March 1970) is a British actor,
best known for his Desmond's character Lee Graham.
He appeared in Guy Ritchie crime caper 'Snatch'.

He also appeared in the movie Mean Machine playing Trojan.
In 2003 he starred in the BBC sitcom 'The Crouches as Roly
Crouch, the father in a ''triple-generation family sandwich''.

In the same year he made an appearance in the horror/action film
Underworld along side(wait for it!) - Kate Beckindales and
Bill Nighy as Khan, weapons master and leader of the Death
Dealers. His writing credits include 'The Real McCoy and
Blouse & Skirts.


LLwella Gideon


Her professional career began in 1989 as an original
cast member and writer/performer in the 1990's comedy
hit series The Real McCoy for BBC television.

The early years of her career were firmly grounded in
high-profile television comedies and one-women stage
appearances, appearing in Murder most horrid,
Absolutely Fabulous, The Lenny Henry Show,
Big Train, Porkie, amongst others, and various
children's TV shows and programs.

She also joined the Spice girls group in their video for
'Comic Relief'.

The middle phase of her career has seen Llewellyn
produce, write and perform in various radio shows for the
BBC, including
Lenny Henry 'Behind the Couch',
The Airport and The Emerald Green show.
She is also the voice of several characters in kid's favorite
'Bob the Builder' and In the Know',
animation for the BBC and Open University.

Leo Chester - The Don
:-)



Renowned for his brilliance on and off the stage. Leo
became a quick house-hold favorite during the
Real McCoy series,
especially when playing the uncontrollable
'Grant Mitchell' in the Rub-A-Dub sketches.


Felix Dexter


Born in St. Kitts/Nevis in the West Indies. He moved to
London with his family at the age of seven.
Renowned for his brilliance were he played a rebellious
preacher during one of many Real McCoy takes.

 Dexter's characters and comic writing skills have
been featured on the BBC's The Lenny Henry Show,
The Fast Show and the unforgettable Real McCoy.

Friends have paid tribute to Felix Dexter, who [Died:] on Friday.
The comedian and actor had suffered from melanoma,
a type of bone marrow cancer. Reports said he was 52.

R.I.P.

Eddie Nestor - Gwan!


English actor, stand up comedian, TV and
radio presenter, you begin to see what an awesome
talent formed part of The Real McCoy's formidable line-up.

Born in 1964 and claims to be turning 30 is a running joke on his now
radio program is best known for starring roles in
The Real McCoy and The Desmond's, as
well as playing a small role in Trainspotting.

He was recently spotted in the BBC's Canterbury Tales

 and is a former Casualty star. He co-presents
BBC London 94.9 FM show Drive-time
 from 5pm - 7pm weekday evenings and a
cool show on Sunday evening from 10pm - 2am.

Collette Johnson

Collette Johnson
Collette Johnson

Info

It's time to laugh...First you may want to....

1. Switch off your phone....

2. Turn down the TV or better yet switch it OFF....

3. Get some food....

4. Get a drink....

5. Get comfortable....

6. Be ready to laugh....

The Real McCoy was a BBC Television comedy show which ran from 1991 to 1996, featuring an array of talented black and Asian comedy stars performing material aimed at an across-the-board black audience.

UK comedy stars that featured in the series included: the comedy double-act of Curtis and Ishmael, Collette Johnson, Llewella Gideon, Indian standup Meera Syal, Perry Benson, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Leo Chester, Felix Dexter, Robbie Gee, Kulvinder Ghir, Judith Jacob, Rudi Lickwood, Eddie Nestor, Marcus Powell, Junior Simpson and Curtis Walker and Jo Martin

The producer of the first two series, Charlie Hanson, was the co-founder of the Black Theatre Co-operative and had produced No Problem! and Desmond's before creating The Real McCoy. He was working with Curtis and Ishmael on the 291 Club at the Hackney Empire and suggested making a television version, but instead, the BBC opted for a totally new sketch series, launching The Real McCoy.

Comments....

Ellen Brooks - USA

Let The Real McCoy Comedy Show Entertain Us!

Like so many black UK families, I loved The Real McCoy comedy show. It was nice to have a Black TV show that reflected black living with the laughter element added in. I remember looking forward to watching it, my family and I would make sure we had done everything we needed to do, so we would not have to move away from the set once the programme had started. Having a programme dedicated to entertaining the black community was something we needed and wanted. There was something in there that every black family could relate to at one time or another.

Roger - UK

Love this series, it blended Asian and Black culture and showed how much we had in common, not how far apart we were. I just love the "Shame" episode, I laughed myself silly. I would love to see the Video dataing episode where Meera Syal goes into the booth and tells the world how she found her man, a handsome man nothing like the bald headed account her parents wanted her to ask for! I would love to see that again!

Alex - Canada

I am thankful for this blog. I have been promising to get hold of this show for the longest time now. Also, do you have the sketch where Robbie Gee bowls into the West Indian take-away shop? Need to hear Llewella Gideon utter that immortal line... "Anybody 'roun' 'ere look like slave to you?" Classic!! Ha! Ha!

Visitors !

Curtis Walker - The Vex Family

Curtis Walker - The Vex Family
Curtis Walker - The Vex Family

Ishmael Thomas

Ishmael Thomas
Ishmael Thomas

Premier John Major

Premier John Major
Premier John Major

Wash & Go

Wash & Go
Wash & Go