The Lord of the Dance
By Tony Watts - Editor - 12/01/2009
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My chance to talk to Lionel Blair comes as he is promoting – of all things – a website game designed to raise funds for the Elizabeth Finn Care charity: better known for many years as the Distressed Gentlefolk’s Aid Association. As well as running care homes and almshouses, the charity – set up in the 19th century by a remarkable woman - helps people of all ages who find themselves facing hardship.
It could be people facing long term physical or mental illness, family breakdown, bereavement or redundancy, or older people on inadequate pensions. The charity is there to provide a safety net.
“It seems such a great idea for a charity,” says Lionel. “There are so many people living on the poverty line, particularly older people, who just need a helping hand, while others come into the country and seem to qualify for benefits and support straight away.
“There are plenty of charities for children – and I would never begrudge them that – but we’re all living longer, and many older people need help too. I’m hoping to get more funds raised later this year when we run ‘The Big Tea Cosy’. The Charity’s founder, Elizabeth Finn, held a coffee morning as her first fundraising event and so we’re getting people all over the country to knit tea cosies to celebrate. So it will be ‘calling all knitters!’”
As often as you see Lionel working professionally on TV or in the theatre, he is just as busy with a wide range of causes – including being President of ‘Stage for Age’, an offshoot of Help the Aged which harnesses the talents of celebrities to raise funds for older people. He comes across as genuinely grateful for the opportunities that have come his way in life – and keen to put something back.
A glance at his CV and his recent workload shows a man who is always
working – and with no plans to slow down as he makes his way through
his eighth decade. “The phone goes, and I’m off doing something else,” he laughs. And what he is always prepared to do is – in his words – is “send himself up”. He has just been involved in the wonderful Peter Kay spoof ‘Britain’s Got the Pop Factor ...and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice’, and before that he was in Ricky Gervais’ ‘Extras’ – hamming it up as he struggles to find work.
Perhaps because he has been with us for so long, and on so many programmes, and because what you see with Lionel is really what you get with his larger than life and enthusiastic approach, he does come in for a bit of good-humoured stick. Regular listeners to ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’ will know that his charade skills were the butt of saucy innuendo for many years. As he himself says, he is always being asked to play the part of Lionel Blair – and would like nothing more than to don a false moustache and play someone else for a change.
But after 60 years in show business, the public does tend to stereotype you – despite the fact that his original breaks were as an actor. Of course he will always be best known for his dancing ability… which leads us nicely onto the recent controversies surrounding ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. So whose side was he on in the ‘John Sergeant affair’? “I think that he should have been allowed to carry on,” says Lionel.
“OK, I can see the judges’ point of view – they want to judge it on dancing ability. But the public see this as entertainment, and they pay to vote.
“That said, it’s wonderful to see dancing programmes being so popular. Why? I suppose that they love seeing celebrities taking it on. Perhaps some are waiting to see somebody fall over! But don’t forget that ‘Come Dancing’ was on for over 40 years. I go to dance events for the public and they are absolutely packed. People do love dancing.”
It’s also, as he is himself testament, a great way to keep fit. “Certainly dancing does that for me,” he says, “but I’m always out walking the dog, and there are youngsters in the family as well – and they keep you fit!”
So how would be go about ‘not being Lionel Blair’? “I don’t know,” he says, “whatever I do, whatever I’m wearing, people are always coming up to me and saying ‘ Hello, Lionel’. I really don’t mind that – everyone is so friendly. And it’s lots better than not being recognised! But I would love to take on the challenge of a part – perhaps in a soap.
“Though not like playing Ken Barlow where you’re the same person for
50 years.” ‘In Eastenders then?’ I suggest. Perhaps the Mitchells could find a long lost brother – although he might have to lose some hair first.
“You can say that,” he laughs, “I couldn’t possibly!”
I’m left with the sense that here is someone who could probably stretch his skills in other, very different directions – if casting directors could look beyond the stereotype. Some of the best ever pieces of tragic acting I have ever seen have been by comedians – most notably Norman Wisdom.
Matthew Kelly escaped from his image as a prankster to play some seriously dark and disturbing roles.
What chance for the new Dr Who? “I’d love it,” he says, “but I rather think David Morrisey and Alan Davies are the favourites for that part!”
You can see Lionel dancing for charity on the link below.