Tom O'Connor ready to raise the laughs at Wirral variety show (From Wirral Globe)

Tom O'Connor ready to raise the laughs at Wirral variety show

4:04pm Friday 31st August 2012 in News Exclusive By Craig Manning

TOM O'Connor will hope to tickle your funny bone during a special variety show in Wirral next month.

The veteran comedian and author will be among the entertainment at St Anne's Parish Centre in Highfield Road, Rock Ferry on Friday, September 28.

Also on stage will be local singer Lucy Vaughn and the club's resident band Lounge Lizards. The aim of the show is to attract more people to the club.

Looking foward to the show, Liverpool-born Tom told the Globe today: "I'm looking forward to going to Rock Ferry.

"My career in comedy started in places like this, and it's important never to forget that."

The former deputy head gave up a teaching career in 1974 to pursue comedy and has never looked back.

He won three separated shows of Opportunity Knocks and within a year had his own series, 'Wednesday At Eight', on Thames Television and was a regular on 70s show The Comedians.

He was also invited to appear on the Royal Variety Show at the London Palladium and in 1977 was the subject of This Is Your Life. He made his acting debut as Father Tom in BBC daytime series ‘Doctors’.

He will also be a guest contributor on fellow Liverpool comic John Bishop’s new series.

Away from television, Tom is still busy on the cabaret circuit and has appeared on stages across the world. He also played at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York.

He has also written a number of humorous books on golf.

Looking back on his career the 72-year-old said: "At the time I was teaching I was doing two comedy shows a week.

“In the last week I taught I got £68, but £1000 entertaining. So, I decided that a career in entertainment was for me.

“When I started out I said I’d give it a year. Thankfully, I’m still here so must be doing something right.

“There are two things I’d like people to remember me as; a teacher and clean. In fact I was recently called to a cruise ship to take over from a comedian who was too blue.

On modern comedy, Berkshire-based Tom said: “There’s so much blue comedy around and very strong too.

“I’m a big fan of John Bishop, Alan and Jimmy Carr and am pleased that there are more female comics.”

Asked what advice he had for aspiring comics, Tom continued: “I was talking to John Bishop about this the other night. We came to the conclusion that it’s much harder to for kids today because you only have a few minutes to prove yourself at comedy clubs, compared to the hour or so you could get when I was starting out.

“My advice would be to get out to as many clubs as you can, and be prepared to work hard.”

Tickets for the September 28 show, which starts at 7.30pm, are from Bernie on 07715885166 or the club on 645 0419.