Broadcaster was a club comic before breaking into TV

Johnny Ball is to write a book about his career in comedy before he became known as a children’s science presenter. 

Ball – the father of broadcaster Zoe – began his entertainment career by working as a Butlin's redcoat and on the northern club circuit.

He was one of the original presenters on Play School in 1967 and went on to present several of science and technology series for children, including Think of a Number, Think Again and Johnny Ball Reveals All. He wrote jokes for shows including Crackerjack.

To be published in March, Johnny Ball: My Previous Life in Comedy, is the first of an intended two-part memoir.

The 86-year-old broadcaster said the book would start ‘from an idyllic childhood in Bristol, with my gag-a-minute dad inspiring me to become a comedian, to dreadful teenage years in Bolton where education overlooked me, and all I learnt was how to be funny’.

He added: ‘My first job gave me a taste of success and confidence, followed by my real education in the RAF. Butlins gifted me an enduring smile, and in Liverpool, I worked with the less fortunate while crossing paths with future stars.

‘Then came 17 wonderful years of stand-up comedy, which took me across the UK and abroad, entertaining the British Forces, before a TV career began in failure, only to rise from the ashes with Di, the love of my life, and a new career in maths and science.

‘Packed with wildly funny tales, this book isn’t half a good story – or is it? Well, yes it is, as the sequel will follow shortly!’

The title will be published by The Book Guild, priced £10.99

Published: 8 Jan 2025