Hovis Presley
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Hovis Presley (3 August 1960 – 9 June 2005) was an English poet and stand-up comedian from Bolton noted for his down to earth humour. He was born Richard Henry McFarlane but took his stage name as a play on Elvis Presley and the brand of bread Hovis. He died in 2005 after a short illness brought on by a heart attack.
Hovis Presley began writing poems and sketches as a teenager but only ventured out onto the North West comedy circuit at the age of 29. His work combines observation, one-liners, puns and self-deprecation to create poems that were by turns hilarious and genuinely affecting. His poem "I Rely On You" (included in his 1993 anthology "Poetic Off Licence") was used by many couples in wedding ceremonies.
Presley often performed his poems in a live environment, running an "alternative to alternative comedy clubs" and frequently appearing on radio with John Shuttleworth and Mark Radcliffe among others. He also appeared on the BBC Three show Whine Gums, which presented many modern poets reading their work. His 1997 Edinburgh Festival Fringe show (entitled "Wherever I Lay My Hat, That's My Hat") was described as "an hour of great material, lovingly performed" and sold out. Presley, however, was terrified by this level of success and vanished. The shows were pulled and he was eventually found by police.
After this he concentrated on smaller scale events, outside the comedy mainstream, often working for charity. He also taught comedy to drama students at the University of Salford, having previously taught English as a foreign language and general studies. He regularly helped out his students by finding them slots at local comedy nights.
A tribute night was held in his home town of Bolton on 21 November 2005. The show was held in the Albert Halls, Bolton and was attended by the likes of Johnny Vegas, Badly Drawn Boy, John Shuttleworth, Mark Radcliffe, Justin Moorhouse, Bernard Wrigley, Archie Kelly, Susan Vale, Phil Cool, Bob Williamson and Thick Richard.
