Recording of stage tribute released to raise funds for his statue appeal

A show in celebration of Roy Hudd is to be made available on CD to help raise money to erect a statue to the late comedy star.

Jon Culshaw, Aliston Steadman and QI creator John Lloyd  are among those who took part in The Roy Huddlines at The Sondheim Theatre in London’s West End in May.

It was a recreation of Hudd’s long-running Radio 2 topical show The News Huddlines and featured cast member Chris Emmett  as well as other writers and production staff.

The show will be released on limited edition CD and download on January 24.

Half of the profits will be going to The Roy Hudd Statue Appeal, which has already raised more than £13,000 towards erecting a bronze likeness of the star – possibly at The Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, which he loved.

The News Huddlines rand from 1975 to 2001, and Hudd – who also appeared in shows such as Coronation Street and was an expert on music hall entertainment died in March 2020 at the age of 83.

Dirk Maggs, who directed the theatrical celebration, said: ‘Roy Hudd inhaled the lore and tradition of classic British comedy, from the slapstick of Dan Leno to the surrealism of Spike Milligan.

‘His gifts for timing and landing a gag, combined with young writers and producers who would reinvent humour for a new millennium, made The News Huddlines the longest running audience comedy show on BBC Radio. This is their tribute to a much missed, warm, funny, cheeky genius.’

The CD can be ordered for £12.99 from www.bigfinish.com. The first 150 customers will also receive a Roy Hudd enamel pin badge plus a copy of the 64-page theatre programme.  A download-only edition of the recording will also be available for £10.99

Published: 29 Dec 2023