Richard Digance

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Richard Digance (born 24 February 1949, in Plaistow, East London) is a comedian and folk singer.

He studied Mechanical Engineering at Reid Kerr College Glasgow, during which time he was inspired by Billy Connolly.

In the 1970's he toured The United States, though failing to make much of a name for himself, he ended up a support act for Steve Martin.

He first came to public attention as a "regular turn" on the popular Sunday evening Live from... (Her Majesty's/the Piccadilly/the Palladium) variety series (produced by LWT for ITV1) and also on Summertime Special, a moderately popular variety showcase of the 1980s.

He is best known for his television one hour specials, starting in 1985 with A Dabble of Digance. Abracadigance was a series of four shows in 1988. The 1992 show, Richard Digance's Greatest Bits, recorded at the Brighton Dome, included some of his most popular routines from stage and screen, including the 'Nursery Rhymes', 'Remembers' and 'Jungle Cup Final'.

Many albums featuring his comic and serious music have been released. His first novel, 'Run Out In The Country', was published in 1983, and his autobiography, A Wealth of Comedy, in 1999.

He is a regular guest in 'Dictionary Corner' on the Channel 4 game show Countdown, during which he performs his comic rhymes before the commercial break.

Sound TV logo

Digance was the managing director of both Creative Results and Sound TV, a satellite channel based on variety, which launched in February 2005. However, he resigned in August 2005, and the channel went into administration. He also co-founded SKD Media Plc, later to become Entertainment Rights Plc; these are involved in releasing nostalgic programming onto DVD.

In October 2003 he received the Gold Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters for his services to music.

He also annually takes to the stage at Cropredy Festival for the first set on the final day