Bob Carolgees (born Robert Johnson, 12 May 1948 in Birmingham, UK) is a comedy entertainer who appeared on the Saturday morning TV series Tiswas and then later in its adult versions O.T.T. and Saturday Stayback. He is best-known for appearing with a puppet named Spit the Dog.
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In the early 1970s Carolgees ran a DJ and modelling school at 11A Lord Street in Liverpool. After a 5 week course DJs and models were tested in front of an audience at the Sportsmans Club in Central Liverpool. Carolgees first appeared in a guest spot on Tiswas on the 31 March 1979.[1] Main presenter Chris Tarrant's first words to him were "I don't know who the f--- you are, but stand there, you're going to be on the telly, it's great!" Clowning around with a monkey puppet Charlie, Bob went down very well with the viewing audience and after being invited back for several guest spots he soon became a team presenter.[2] Carolgees, in pyjamas and headband was also the Tiswas character Houdi Elbow, a comedy 'psychic' and small time magician.
As well as gaining national fame with these and Spit the Dog, he was also part of The Four Bucketeers who made the UK Top 30 in 1980, even making a Top of the Pops appearance.[3]
Carolgees went on to work for eight years alongside Cilla Black in Surprise, Surprise and he was for nearly two decades one of the foremost performers to entertain the British armed forces around the world.[4] He also fronted pop/game show Hold Tight!, produced by Granada Television for Children's ITV and game show Concentration.[5]
In the 1980s, and at the height of his popularity, Bob featured in a series of Hellmann's Mayonnaise press and television commercials for eight years dressed as an overgrown schoolboy.
Bob now owns a candle shop — Carolgees Candles — in Frodsham, Cheshire.[6] He temporarily came out of show business retirement to appear with all his old colleagues in Tiswas Reunited on ITV on 16 June 2007.[7]
An early Spit the Dog puppet (Bob has made three over the years) recently raised over £5,000 at a Christie's auction.[8]
The name Carolgees comes from friends Carole and George Dunmore who owned a record shop called Carolgees Records & Cassettes. Carole and George also operated a mobile disco called Carolgees Cabaret Disco which became extremely popular around Merseyside and was where Bob developed his act.[9] Alternatively it was the name of his secretary when he was warden (warder) at the Cannon Hill MAC in Brum. These may be the same person.
Bob is mentioned in almost all episodes of That Peter Kay Thing and appeared in a couple of episodes as himself.[10] He and Spit the Dog can briefly be seen hosting a Trisha style early morning discussion show in Peter Kay's follow up comedy Phoenix Nights. He can also be seen on the back of a leaflet in the toilets in the first episode.[11]