Comic retires at 60

Jasper Carrott has decided to retire from comedy.

The 60-year-old stand-up says there’s nothing else he wants to achieve, and performing live is too stressful.

Carrott, whose real name is Bob Davis, told The Mirror: “I could keep going but I really don't have the motivation any more.

‘There's nothing I want to do on TV and tours are so time consuming and draining. I've had a fabulous innings, but I have no plans to do any more. It's time to make room for some of the younger comics, while I spend more time on the golf course.’

Carrott was a pioneer of the modern style of stand-up, which started in the started in the folk clubs of the Sixties, where his  witty anecdotes between songs became better received than the songs.

His first TV series aired, An Audience with Jasper Carrott, aired in 1978 and from then on regularly appeared in hour-long TV specials. His TV career has also included The Detectives, Carrott's Commercial Breakdown and All About Me.

His last tour was in 1998, but in 2004 he made a record-breaking run at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena, selling more than 70,000 tickets in his 14-night run. (Review) And earlier this month he hosted Rock With Laughter comedy and music shows in his home town.

He has also made a small fortune from his stake in independent production company Celador, makers of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, which might explain his decision not to want to work any more.

Published: 25 Nov 2005