Bobby Ball - Revision history

Kurt at 18:45, 25 August 2024

2024-08-25T18:45:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:45, 25 August 2024
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	~~{{short description\|British comedian (1944–2020)}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Bobby Ball		\| name = Bobby Ball
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	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_name = Robert Harper		\| birth_name = Robert Harper
	\| birth_place = [[~~w:Oldham\|~~Oldham]], [[w:Lancashire\|Lancashire]], England		\| birth_place = [[Oldham]], [[w:Lancashire\|Lancashire]], England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|2020\|10\|28\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|2020\|10\|28\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[Blackpool]], Lancashire, England<ref name="Beeb">{{Cite web \| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54731384 \| title = Bobby Ball: Cannon & Ball star dies aged 76 after Covid-19 diagnosis \| work = [[w:BBC News\|BBC News]] \| access-date = 29 October 2020 \| date = 29 October 2020}}</ref>		\| death_place = [[Blackpool]], Lancashire, England<ref name="Beeb">{{Cite web \| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54731384 \| title = Bobby Ball: Cannon & Ball star dies aged 76 after Covid-19 diagnosis \| work = [[w:BBC News\|BBC News]] \| access-date = 29 October 2020 \| date = 29 October 2020}}</ref>
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	\| 1980		\| 1980
	\| ''Summer Royal''		\| ''Summer Royal''
	\| Himself~~{{citation needed\|date=October 2020}}~~		\| Himself
	\|-		\|-
	\| rowspan=2\|1982		\| rowspan=2\|1982
	\| ''The Kenny Everett Show''		\| ''The Kenny Everett Show''
	\| Himself (guest)~~{{citation needed\|date=October 2020}}~~		\| Himself (guest)
	\|-		\|-
	\|''The Children's Royal Variety Performance''		\|''The Children's Royal Variety Performance''
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	\| rowspan=2\|2004		\| rowspan=2\|2004
	\| ''[[Revolver (2001 TV series)\|Revolver]]''		\| ''[[Revolver (2001 TV series)\|Revolver]]''
	\| Various characters~~{{citation needed\|date=October 2020}}~~		\| Various characters
	\|-		\|-
	\| ''[[The Royal (TV series)\|The Royal]]''		\| ''[[The Royal (TV series)\|The Royal]]''
	\| John Wilson~~{{citation needed\|date=October 2020}}~~		\| John Wilson
	\|-		\|-
	\| 2005		\| 2005
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	\| 2005–2008		\| 2005–2008
	\| ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]''		\| ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]''
	\| Lenny~~{{citation needed\|date=October 2020}}~~		\| Lenny
	\|-		\|-
	\| 2005–2006		\| 2005–2006
	\| ''[[Heartbeat (British TV series)\|Heartbeat]]''		\| ''[[Heartbeat (British TV series)\|Heartbeat]]''
	\| Mr. Turner/Topsy Turner~~{{citation needed\|date=October 2020}}~~		\| Mr. Turner/Topsy Turner
	\|-		\|-
	\|2006		\|2006
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	\| 2007		\| 2007
	\| ''[[The Afternoon Play]]''		\| ''[[The Afternoon Play]]''
	\| Bingo Manager~~{{citation needed\|date=October 2020}}~~		\| Bingo Manager
	\|-		\|-
	\| 2009		\| 2009
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	\| 2010		\| 2010
	\| ''[[All Star Mr & Mrs]]''		\| ''[[All Star Mr & Mrs]]''
	\| Himself (contestant)~~{{citation needed\|date=October 2020}}~~		\| Himself (contestant)
	\|-		\|-
	\| 2011		\| 2011
	\| ''[[Show Me the Funny]]''		\| ''[[Show Me the Funny]]''
	\| Himself (guest judge)~~{{citation needed\|date=October 2020}}~~		\| Himself (guest judge)
	\|-		\|-
	\|2011–2017		\|2011–2017
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	\|-		\|-
	\| ''[[Casualty (TV series)\|Casualty]]''		\| ''[[Casualty (TV series)\|Casualty]]''
	\| Gerry Davies~~{{citation needed\|date=October 2020}}~~		\| Gerry Davies
	\|-		\|-
	\| ''[[Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Specials#2012\|Strictly Come Dancing: Christmas Special]]''		\| ''[[Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Specials#2012\|Strictly Come Dancing: Christmas Special]]''

Kurt: /* External links */

2023-01-07T20:03:57Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:03, 7 January 2023
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	*{{IMDb name\|0050347}}		*{{IMDb name\|0050347}}
	*{{British Comedy Guide\|people\|bobby_ball}}		*{{British Comedy Guide\|people\|bobby_ball}}

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Ball, Bobby}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Ball, Bobby}}

Kurt at 22:00, 20 December 2022

2022-12-20T22:00:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:00, 20 December 2022
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	\| name = Bobby Ball		\| name = Bobby Ball
	\| image = Bobby Ball.webp		\| image = Bobby Ball.webp
	\| caption = ~~Ball in August 2013~~		\| caption =
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_name = Robert Harper		\| birth_name = Robert Harper

Kurt at 21:59, 20 December 2022

2022-12-20T21:59:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:59, 20 December 2022
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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Bobby Ball		\| name = Bobby Ball
	\| image = Bobby Ball.~~jpg~~		\| image = Bobby Ball.webp
	\| caption = Ball in August 2013		\| caption = Ball in August 2013
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}

Kurt at 21:58, 20 December 2022

2022-12-20T21:58:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:58, 20 December 2022
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	{{short description\|British comedian (1944–2020)}}		{{short description\|British comedian (1944–2020)}}
	~~{{about\|the British comedian\|the American racing driver\|Bobby Ball (racing driver)}}~~
	~~{{EngvarB\|date=August 2014}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2020}}~~
	~~{{more citations needed\|date=October 2020}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Bobby Ball		\| name = Bobby Ball
	\| image = Bobby Ball.jpg		\| image = Bobby Ball.jpg
	\| caption = Ball in August 2013		\| caption = Ball in August 2013
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date~~\|df=yes~~\|1944\|01\|28}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_name = Robert Harper		\| birth_name = Robert Harper
	\| birth_place = [[Oldham]], [[Lancashire]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Oldham\|Oldham]], [[w:Lancashire\|Lancashire]], England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|2020\|10\|28\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|2020\|10\|28\|1944\|01\|28\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[Blackpool]], Lancashire, England<ref name="Beeb">{{Cite web \| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54731384 \| title = Bobby Ball: Cannon & Ball star dies aged 76 after Covid-19 diagnosis \| work = [[BBC News]] \| access-date = 29 October 2020 \| date = 29 October 2020}}</ref>		\| death_place = [[Blackpool]], Lancashire, England<ref name="Beeb">{{Cite web \| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54731384 \| title = Bobby Ball: Cannon & Ball star dies aged 76 after Covid-19 diagnosis \| work = [[w:BBC News\|BBC News]] \| access-date = 29 October 2020 \| date = 29 October 2020}}</ref>
	\| occupation = Comedian and actor		\| occupation = Comedian and actor
	\| years_active = 1972–2020		\| years_active = 1972–2020
	\| spouse = ~~{{Unbulleted list\|~~{{marriage\|Joan Lynn\|1964\|1970\|end=~~divorced~~}}\|{{marriage\|Yvonne Nugent\|1974}}}}		\| spouse =
			{{marriage\|Joan Lynn\|1964\|1970\|end=div}}
			{{marriage\|Yvonne Nugent\|1974\|2020}}
	\| children = 3		\| children = 3
	}}		}}

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-12-20T20:25:30Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 15:25, 20 December 2022
(No difference)

176.103.52.30 at 07:32, 17 November 2022

2022-11-17T07:32:03Z

New page

{{short description|British comedian (1944–2020)}}
{{about|the British comedian|the American racing driver|Bobby Ball (racing driver)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bobby Ball
| image = Bobby Ball.jpg
| caption = Ball in August 2013
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1944|01|28}}
| birth_name = Robert Harper
| birth_place = [[Oldham]], [[Lancashire]], England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|10|28|1944|01|28|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Blackpool]], Lancashire, England<ref name="Beeb">{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54731384 | title = Bobby Ball: Cannon & Ball star dies aged 76 after Covid-19 diagnosis | work = [[BBC News]] | access-date = 29 October 2020 | date = 29 October 2020}}</ref>
| occupation = Comedian and actor
| years_active = 1972–2020
| spouse = {{Unbulleted list|{{marriage|Joan Lynn|1964|1970|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Yvonne Nugent|1974}}}}
| children = 3
}}
'''Robert Harper''' (28 January 1944 – 28 October 2020), known professionally as '''Bobby Ball''', was a British comic, actor, singer and television host. He was best known as a member of the comic [[double act]] [[Cannon and Ball]], with [[Tommy Cannon]] (Thomas Derbyshire).

They hosted their own [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] show, ''[[The Cannon and Ball Show]]'', for nine years between 1979 and 1988. Ball then went on to star in various sitcoms and dramas including ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'', ''[[Heartbeat (British TV series)|Heartbeat]]'' and ''[[Not Going Out]]''. In 2005, Ball took part in ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]]''.

==Early life==
Ball was born at [[Royal Oldham Hospital|Boundary Park General Hospital]] in [[Oldham|Oldham, Lancashire]], on 28 January 1944,<ref name="cannonandball.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cannonandball.com/biogs.htm|title=Cannon and Ball Biographies|website=Cannonandball.com|access-date=29 October 2020}}</ref> to May (née Savage) and Bob Harper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-c&gsln=harper&gsln_x=XO&msbpn__ftp=Oldham%2c+Lancashire%2c+England&msbpn=84940&msbpn_PInfo=8-%7c0%7c0%7c3257%7c3251%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c5271%7c84940%7c0%7c&msmns0=savage&cpxt=1&uidh=fa1&cp=11&pcat=34&h=27183118&recoff=4+23&db=ONSBirth84&indiv=1|title=Pay as you go}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bobby Ball obituary |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bobby-ball-qjtph35sk |website=The Times |access-date=30 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He attended Crompton House C of E school, Shaw, Oldham, and briefly studied Shipping Management at Wigan Mining & Technical College<ref name="cannonandball.com"/> before going to work in a factory as a welder, where he also met his future partner in comedy, Thomas Derbyshire ([[Tommy Cannon]]).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-tommy-cannon-amp-bobby-ball-429515.html |title= How we met: Tommy Cannon & Bobby Ball |work= The Independent |access-date=30 August 2018}}</ref>

==Career==
===Cannon and Ball===
{{main|Cannon and Ball}}
Ball was one half of comedy duo Cannon and Ball, opposite his friend and colleague [[Tommy Cannon]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |title=Bobby Ball: Cannon & Ball star dies aged 76 after Covid-19 diagnosis |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54731384 |website=BBC News |access-date=30 October 2020 |date=29 October 2020}}</ref> The duo's primetime Saturday night television series ''[[The Cannon and Ball Show]]'', was one of [[LWT]]'s most successful series, with consistently high viewing ratings that lasted for twelve years.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hayward |first1=Anthony |title=Bobby Ball obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/oct/29/bobby-ball-obituary |website=The Guardian |access-date=30 October 2020 |date=29 October 2020}}</ref> They starred in the film ''[[The Boys in Blue]]'' together in 1982 and guest starred in the [[Eric Sykes]] slapstick film, ''[[Mr H Is Late]]'', in 1988.<ref name="bbc"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Mr H Is Late |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/mr_h_is_late/cast_crew/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref> Other notable guest appearances were ''[[The Kenny Everett Television Show]]'' in 1982 and ''[[Shooting Stars (British TV series)|Shooting Stars]]'' in 1996.

Cannon and Ball competed in the [[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (British series 5)|fifth series]] of ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (British TV series)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]]'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Ant and Dec share poignant tribute to I'm A Celebrity hero Bobby Ball |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/29/bobby-ball-dead-ant-and-dec-share-poignant-tribute-to-one-of-our-absolute-favourite-im-a-celebrity-camp-mates-13500411/ |website=Metro |access-date=30 October 2020 |language=en |date=29 October 2020}}</ref> and in 2011, Cannon and Ball were guest judges on one episode of ITV's ''[[Show Me the Funny]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davies |first1=Hannah J. |title=Comedian Bobby Ball dies aged 76 after testing positive for Covid |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/oct/29/comedian-bobby-ball-dies-aged-76-after-testing-positive-for-covid |website=The Guardian |access-date=30 October 2020 |date=29 October 2020}}</ref>

===Television===
Ball was the creator of the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] children's cartoon series ''Military Style!'', which aired in 1990,<ref name="bbc" /> and the [[BBC]] children's cartoon series ''[[Juniper Jungle]]'', which aired in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |title=Juniper Jungle series |url=https://www.comedykings.co.uk/index.php/juniper-jungle-series/ |website=Comedy Kings |access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref> He played Mr. Turner (also known as Topsy Turner) in the ITV drama series ''[[Heartbeat (British TV series)|Heartbeat]]'' from 2005 to 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cannon & Ball star Bobby Ball dies aged 76 after testing positive for coronavirus |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/celebrities/bobby-ball-dead-cannon-ball-76-coronavirus/ |website=Heart |access-date=30 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> From 2005 to 2008, he played Lenny in the BBC series ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]''.<ref name="bbc"/> In 2009, Ball starred in the comedy ''[[The Fattest Man in Britain]]'' playing Morris Morrissey.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Fattest Man In Britain – ITV Comedy Drama |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_fattest_man_in_britain/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref>

In 2009, Ball was cast as Frank in the long-running [[BBC One]] Sitcom ''[[Not Going Out]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Not Going Out fans remember the late Bobby Ball's scene-stealing role as Frank |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/bobby-ball-not-going-out-death-frank-lee-mack-covid-b1420561.html |website=The Independent |access-date=30 October 2020 |language=en |date=29 October 2020}}</ref> He first made a guest appearance in 2009 and two further guest appearances in 2011 (Series 4) and 2012 (Series 5), and became a recurring fixture from series 6 onwards. He appeared in the 2015 Christmas special, and returned alongside the cast for the eighth series in 2017, the ninth series in 2018 and the tenth series in 2019. Ball made his final appearance as Frank in the eleventh season, which began airing in January 2021, and was filmed a few weeks before his death.

From 2011 to 2017, Ball played Barry in the [[Sky1]] sitcom series ''[[Mount Pleasant (TV series)|Mount Pleasant]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Katie |title=TV legends Bobby Ball and Paula Wilcox delighted to be back on Mount Pleasant |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/tv-legends-bobby-ball-paula-10157439 |website=Manchester Evening News |access-date=30 October 2020 |language=en |date=29 September 2015}}</ref> The following year, he took part in [[BBC One]]'s ''[[Pointless (game show)|Pointless Celebrities]]'' alongside Cannon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bobby Ball and Lee Mack's disastrous appearance on Pointless remembered by fans |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/29/bobby-ball-and-lee-macks-disastrous-appearance-on-pointless-remembered-by-fans-after-cannon-ball-stars-death-13500292/ |website=Metro |access-date=30 October 2020 |language=en |date=29 October 2020}}</ref> His second appearance on the show was for a ''[[Children in Need]]'' special in November 2013 with [[Lee Mack]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a531133/mcfly-lee-mack-terry-wogan-for-pointless-children-in-need-special.html|title=McFly, Lee Mack, Terry Wogan for 'Pointless' Children in Need special|author=Jamie Harris|date=14 November 2013|work=Digital Spy}}</ref>

In 2013, Ball played the role of Duckers in the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] sitcom pilot ''[[The Security Men]]'', starring alongside the likes of [[Brendan O'Carroll]] and [[Paddy McGuinness]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Security Men – ITV Comedy Drama |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_security_men/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref> The episode, written by [[Caroline Aherne]] and [[Jeff Pope]], was later not picked up for a full series. Cannon and Ball appeared in ITV's ''Last Laugh in Vegas'' in 2018. Cannon and Ball have also previously starred in the [[Safestyle UK]] television advertisements.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tellyads.com/play_advert/?filename=TA0998&type=recent |title= Safestyle UK – Cannon & Ball |work= Telly Ads |access-date=30 August 2018}}</ref>

In November 2019, he played the regular character Ray, stepdad to [[Joe Wilkinson|Joe Wilkinson's]] character Simon, in ''[[The Cockfields]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_cockfields/|title=The Cockfields – Gold Sitcom|last=Guide|first=British Comedy|website=British Comedy Guide|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Ball married his first wife, Joan Lynn, in 1964,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-g&gsln=harper&gsln_x=XO&msgdy=1964&msgpn__ftp=Oldham%2c+Lancashire%2c+England&msgpn=84940&msgpn_PInfo=8-%7c0%7c0%7c3257%7c3251%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c5271%7c84940%7c0%7c&cpxt=1&catBucket=rstp&uidh=fa1&cp=11&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=36654119&db=ONSmarriage1984&indiv=1|title=Pay as you go}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Comedian Bobby Ball (76), of Cannon & Ball fame, dies after testing positive for Covid-19 |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/comedian-bobby-ball-76-of-cannon-ball-fame-dies-after-testing-positive-for-covid-19-1.4394374 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=30 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> with whom he had two sons, Robert (born 1965) and Darren (born 1969), who are now a comedy double act in their own right, performing under their surname 'Harper'. Ball and Lynn separated in 1970.

Ball married his second wife, Yvonne Nugent,<ref>{{cite web |title=Bobby Ball's wife Yvonne pays tribute following the shock death of the beloved comedian |url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/news/who-is-bobby-balls-wife-and-when-did-he-meet-tommy-cannon/ |website=Entertainment Daily |access-date=30 October 2020 |date=29 October 2020}}</ref> in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=ONSmarriage1984&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-d&gsfn=robert+&gsln=harper&gsln_x=XO&msgdy=1972&msgpn__ftp=Oldham%2c+Lancashire%2c+England&msgpn=84940&msgpn_PInfo=8-%7c0%7c0%7c3257%7c3251%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c5271%7c84940%7c0%7c&dbOnly=_F0005648%7c_F0005648_x%2c_F0006310%7c_F0006310_x&uidh=fa1&pcat=BMD_MARRIAGE&fh=2&h=20734085&recoff=|title=Pay as you go}}</ref><ref>Marriages – https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl – Robert Harper – Middleton January, February, March 1974</ref> In an interview on [[BBC Tees]] on 28 June 2016, Ball said that he met Yvonne while performing with Cannon at a club in [[Norton, County Durham]]: "We were playing there ... she came downstairs in a little mini skirt, looked at me and Tommy, shook her head and walked away. I thought, 'I'd spend my life with her.'"

Ball and his wife lived in [[Lytham St Annes|Lytham St Annes, Lancashire]]. Together they had a daughter Joanne born in 1972.<ref>{{cite web |title=Here's how Bobby Ball made his name as one of the UK's best loved comics |date=29 October 2020 |url=https://theguideliverpool.com/heres-how-bobby-ball-made-his-name-as-one-of-the-uks-best-loved-comics/ |publisher=The Guide Liverpool |access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-tommy-cannon-amp-bobby-ball-429515.html|title=How we met: Tommy Cannon & Bobby Ball – Profiles – News – The Independent|date=24 December 2006|work=The Independent}}</ref>

By 1983, Ball's friendship with Cannon had deteriorated and the pair did not speak to each other outside of rehearsals and performances. In 1986, while working at the [[Bradford Alhambra]], Ball began talking with chaplain Max Wrigley. Ball said: "I got talking to him and attacked him verbally about God. But he had a peace about him. I can't explain exactly what he had but he had something that I didn't have. One day I asked to speak to him and after a while he said, 'Let's pray.' I'd never prayed in my life but we prayed and it just changed my life – like that [he snaps his fingers]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/bobby-balls-chance-meeting-saved-22924028|title=Bobby Ball's chance meeting that saved his friendship with Tommy Cannon|website=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=29 October 2020}}</ref> Shortly afterward Ball became a [[Christians|Christian]],<ref>{{cite web |title='He could not hold back talking about his faith': friends pay tribute to Bobby Ball's unashamed Christian faith – Premier Christian News {{!}} Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis |url=https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/he-could-not-hold-back-talking-about-his-faith-friends-pay-tribute-to-bobby-ball-s-unashamed-christian-faith |website=premierchristian.news |access-date=30 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> which helped re-kindle his broken friendship with Cannon.<ref name="independent1">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-tommy-cannon-amp-bobby-ball-429515.html |title=How we met: Tommy Cannon & Bobby Ball – Profiles – People |work=The Independent |date=24 December 2006 |access-date=22 April 2013}}</ref> Cannon became a Christian in 1992, with the pair publishing a book called ''Christianity for Beginners''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedykings.co.uk/index.php/christianity-for-beginners/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213062019/http://www.comedykings.co.uk/index.php/books/christianity-for-beginners|url-status=dead|title=Christianity for Beginners|archive-date=13 December 2010|website=Comedykings.co.uk|access-date=29 October 2020}}</ref> They regularly featured in their own gospel and "An audience with..." show in churches around the country. He also taught vicars and clergy how to incorporate humor in sermons.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Nick|date=2015-09-08|title=Churches hire Bobby Ball and Don Maclean to teach vicars comedy to boost dwindling congregations|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/churches-hire-bobby-ball-don-10006716|access-date=2021-01-12|website=BirminghamLive|language=en}}</ref>

He published an autobiography, entitled ''My Life'', in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-29|title=Bobby Ball obituary|url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/oct/29/bobby-ball-obituary|access-date=2021-01-12|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

He was a supporter of the [[Variety, the Children's Charity|Variety]] Children's Charity, presiding over the organization's ceremonies and appearing in fundraising events.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-29|title=Variety pays tribute to comedian Bobby Ball|url=https://www.variety.org.uk/news/2020/10/variety-children-s-charity-pays-tribute-comedian-bobby-ball|access-date=2021-01-12|website=Variety, the Children's Charity|language=en}}</ref> He received a lifetime achievement honor from Variety, in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Last Laugh star Bobby has a Ball in aid of children's charity|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/last-laugh-star-bobby-has-ball-aid-childrens-charity-671080|access-date=2021-01-12|website=www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk|language=en}}</ref>

==Death==
Ball died from [[COVID-19]] complications at the [[Blackpool Victoria Hospital|Victoria Hospital]] in [[Blackpool]] on 28 October 2020, at the age of 76.<ref name="Beeb"/><ref name="Needham 2020">{{cite news |last1=Needham |first1=Lucy |title=Cannon & Ball star Bobby Ball dies at 76|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-bobby-ball-dead-cannon-22923782 |access-date=29 October 2020 |website=Mirror.co.uk |date=29 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> A small tribute was paid to Ball after the closing credits of the 2021 New Year's special of ''[[Not Going Out]]'', which was the first episode broadcast after his death. A longer tribute of about 2 minutes was broadcast at the end of Series 11 Episode 5 entitled War, his last television performance, which was first aired on 5 February 2021.

==Filmography==
;Film
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year
! Show
! Role
|-
| 1982
| ''[[The Boys in Blue]]''
| PC Bobby Ball
|-
| 1988
| ''Mr H Is Late''
| Driver's mate
|}

;Television
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year
! Show
! Role
|-
|1972
|''[[Opportunity Knocks (UK TV series)|Opportunity Knocks]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.memorabletv.com/episodes/opportunity-knocks-monday-17-april-1972-with-cannon-and-ball-hughie-green/ |work=Memorable TV |title=Opportunity Knocks: Cannon & Ball |access-date=6 November 2020}}</ref>
|
|-
|1974
|''Win, Place or Steal''
|Professor
|-
| 1979–1988
| ''[[The Cannon and Ball Show]]''
| Himself (co-star)
|-
| 1980
| ''Summer Royal''
| Himself{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
| rowspan=2|1982
| ''The Kenny Everett Show''
| Himself (guest){{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
|''The Children's Royal Variety Performance''
|Cast member
|-
| 1983
|''The Boys in Blue''
|Police Constable Bobby Ball
|-
|1986
|''Tommy Cooper''
|
|-
|rowspan=4|1987
|''Prisoners in Park Lane''
|
|-
|''Anything but the Truth''
|
|-
|''Slightly Overweight''
|
|-
|''Splash''
|
|-
|rowspan=2|1988
|''A Night of Comic Relief''
|
|-
|''Mr. H. is Late''
|
|-
| rowspan=2|1990
|''Day out with Dana''
|
|-
|''Casino''
|Host (3 episodes)
|-
|1991
| ''[[Plaza Patrol]]''
| Trevor Purvis (6 episodes)
|-
|1993
|''Gloria!''
|
|-
| 1996
| ''Shooting Stars''
| Himself (guest)
|-
|rowspan=2|1997
|''Surprise, Surprise''
|
|-
|''Babies''
|Sam Clarington
|-
| rowspan=2|2004
| ''[[Revolver (2001 TV series)|Revolver]]''
| Various characters{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
| ''[[The Royal (TV series)|The Royal]]''
| John Wilson{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
| 2005
| ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (British TV series)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]]''
| Himself (contestant)
|-
| 2005–2008
| ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]''
| Lenny{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
| 2005–2006
| ''[[Heartbeat (British TV series)|Heartbeat]]''
| Mr. Turner/Topsy Turner{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
|2006
|''It's Behind You...''
|
|-
| 2007
| ''[[The Afternoon Play]]''
| Bingo Manager{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
| 2009
| ''[[The Fattest Man in Britain]]''
| Morris
|-
| 2009–2021
| ''[[Not Going Out]]''
| Frank (Lee's Dad)
|-
| 2010
| ''[[All Star Mr & Mrs]]''
| Himself (contestant){{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Show Me the Funny]]''
| Himself (guest judge){{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
|2011–2017
| ''[[Mount Pleasant (TV series)|Mount Pleasant]]''
| Barry
|-
|rowspan=4|2012
|''Blackpool: Big Night Out''
|
|-
| ''[[Coach Trip]]''
| Himself (guest)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fletcher |first1=Alex |title='Celebrity Coach Trip' lineup revealed |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a358554/big-brother-nikki-aisleyne-paul-burrell-sign-for-celeb-coach-trip/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=15 February 2021 |date=5 January 2012}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]''
| Gerry Davies{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
|-
| ''[[Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Specials#2012|Strictly Come Dancing: Christmas Special]]''
| Himself (contestant)<ref>{{cite web |title=Bobby Ball and Katya Virshilas dance the American Smooth to 'White Christmas' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0130gwy |website=www.bbc.co.uk |access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|2013
|''Success and Television''
|
|-
|''[[The Security Men]]''
| Duckers
|-
| 2018
| ''Last Laugh in Vegas''
| Himself <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/last-laugh-vegas-0|title=Press Releases|website=Itv.com|access-date=29 October 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2018
| ''[[Benidorm (British TV series)|Benidorm]]''
|Ron Pickford
|-
|2019
| ''[[The Cockfields]]''
|Ray
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.bobbyball.info Official website]
*[http://www.cannonandball.com Cannon and Ball official website]
*{{IMDb name|0050347}}
*{{British Comedy Guide|people|bobby_ball}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ball, Bobby}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century English male actors]]
[[Category:Converts to Christianity]]
[[Category:English male comedians]]
[[Category:English stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:English television personalities]]
[[Category:Male actors from Oldham]]
[[Category:English Christians]]
[[Category:AAA Championship Car drivers]]
[[Category:20th-century English comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century English comedians]]
[[Category:I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (British TV series) participants]]
[[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in England]]