Cannon and Ball at Rhyl Pavilion

Jul 22 2010 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

THE legendary comedy duo Cannon and Ball’s heyday may have been the 1980s, but they still bring laughter to thousands.

The duo met in the early 1960s while working as welders in Oldham. They started out as singers working the pubs and clubs of Lancashire before switching to comedy after being told comics earned an extra £3 a night!

Their first TV appearance was in 1972 in the variety show The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club before a further performance on Bruce Forsyth’s Big Night.

In recent years the duo admitted that during their greatest period of success in the 1980s, they were barely on speaking terms and would avoid each other completely when not on stage or rehearsing.

These tensions, which lasted for years, were later resolved and the two are now extremely close.

Cannon and Ball will be performing at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre next month. It’s a brand new show called Rock with Laughter.

The performance will also feature a Blues Brothers tribute band.

Tommy Cannon promises the night will be full of unstoppable laughter and sensational music.

“We are the longest-serving double act now and we are going to be the oldest double act ever,” Tommy told the Weekly News.

“I think when we both come on stage with a Zimmer frame, we might consider retiring. But then again maybe not.

“We do get a bit homesick when we can’t get home and are sitting in a hotel room in the rain.

“But it is all we’ve ever done, really. After 45 years it’s all we know.”

Cannon and Ball will be performing Rock with Laughter at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre on August 23 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15.50. Box office: 01745 330000.