Thomas Derbyshire (Cannon) and Robert Harper (Ball), known collectively as Cannon and Ball, formed one of the most beloved comedy double acts in British entertainment history. Their partnership spanned over four decades, from the early 1960s, when they first met while working as welders in Oldham, Lancashire, to their final performances together before Ball’s passing in 2020. Known for their impeccable timing, slapstick humour, and infectious personalities, the duo became a staple of British comedy, with their variety show The Cannon and Ball Show running on ITV from 1979 to 1988.
Cannon and Ball’s journey into show business began in the pubs and clubs of Greater Manchester, where they initially performed as singers before shifting to comedy after being told they could earn an extra £3 a night by making people laugh. Their big break came in 1974 when they appeared on The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club, and later, they made their first major television appearance as contestants on Opportunity Knocks. By 1979, they had landed their own TV series, The Cannon and Ball Show, which would become their signature programme, airing for nearly a decade. The show was a huge hit, mixing comedy sketches, music, and variety performances, and it made them household names.
Their appeal wasn’t just limited to TV. In 1982, they starred in the feature film The Boys in Blue, a comedy film inspired by the classic Will Hay film Ask a Policeman. Although it was their only cinematic outing, it cemented their status as icons of British comedy. They also appeared in the Look-in magazine comic strip Rock On, Tommy, based on Ball’s catchphrase “Rock on, Tommy!”
Despite their success, by the late 1980s, Cannon and Ball faced a decline in popularity as the comedy landscape began to shift. The rise of alternative comedy, with its more politically charged humour, saw a decrease in the appeal of traditional comedy duos like Cannon and Ball. Furthermore, ITV’s programming chief, Greg Dyke, voiced concerns that northern-based comedy may not resonate with southern audiences. However, Cannon and Ball adapted and explored new directions in the 1990s, including starring in their own sitcom Cannon and Ball’s Playhouse and the game show Cannon and Ball’s Casino. Their sitcom Plaza Patrol, where they played security guards in a shopping mall, was another venture into television, but it didn’t quite capture the same magic as their earlier work.
The duo remained highly active in theatre, particularly in pantomimes, and Blackpool became an integral part of their later careers. They found great success performing in the resort’s theatres, including their appearances at the Winter Gardens. In 2005, Cannon and Ball entered the world of reality TV by participating in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, a show that would reinvigorate their popularity with a new generation of fans.
Behind the scenes, Cannon and Ball’s partnership wasn’t without its challenges. During the height of their success in the 1980s, they were reportedly barely on speaking terms, avoiding each other offstage for nearly three years. However, the tensions eventually subsided, and by the time of their later years in show business, the two were close once again.
In their later years, the duo appeared on several television programmes, including the BBC Radio 4 comedy panel show Act Your Age in 2010, and they participated in the Coach Trip celebrity edition in 2012. In 2018, they took part in Last Laugh in Vegas, a show where older British comedians were given the chance to perform in the entertainment capital of the world.
The photo here, taken in 2008, captures Cannon and Ball alongside fellow British comedy legend Paul Daniels as they prepared for the Best of British Variety Tour. The tour saw them perform at the Winter Gardens and various venues across England and Wales, bringing their unique brand of comedy to audiences in August and September that year. Despite their ups and downs, Cannon and Ball’s legacy in British entertainment remains undeniable, and their comedic influence continues to be felt across generations of fans.
Below the Best of British Variety Tour 2008 team are pictured in full: Cannon and Ball, The Krankies, Jimmy Cricket, Frank Carson and Paul Daniels.
