Jimmy Jones: “Keep up your protests…you won’t stop us laughing”
Veteran comedian Jimmy Jones has hit back at protestors who want to stop Ustreme’s new TV series, saying: “You won’t change us and you won’t stop us laughing.”
Ustreme’s much-anticipated new show, Proper Comedians – which attempts to revive the spirit of old ITV hit The Comedians – has hit national headlines, following abusive phone calls and threats of protests.
Spokeswoman Victoria Nash said: “It’s unhinged really. We’ve had people saying it’s ‘disgusting’ that we’re putting on a show filled with ‘old white men making racist, homophobic jokes’.
“The series hasn’t even been filmed!”
She went on, “We’ve received a few abusive calls about the show and been told that they’ll turn up with banners in protest. And that’s fine – we believe in freedom of speech. Let them come.”
Jones, 84, will join other old favourites including Roy Walker, Mick Miller, Bobby Davro and Duncan Norvelle.
He said, “It’s a good line-up, for sure, there’s no two ways about it. It really is going to be a funny evening of laughter. Nobody can accuse Roy, Mick or Duncan of being blue or telling offensive jokes. People love them.
“All of us were on The Comedians back in the day except Bobby and we know what makes audiences laugh.
“They know I don’t change at all. If you buy tickets to see Jimmy Jones you know what you’re going to get. I always say that if you’re going to be offended then please don’t come.
“That’s why I don’t do after-dinner speaking, because I’m definitely going to ******* upset somebody.”
Jones, whose fans over the years have included rockers like Iron Maiden, Martine McCutcheon and the late Prince Philip, famously used the catchphrase “Kinnel” in the past, but now considers that too quaint.
The Proper Comedians shows are being filmed at the Gaiety Theatre, Southsea, on November 23 and 24 to air exclusively on Ustreme in December.
Victoria added: “The day comedy is censored is the day we’re all screwed. They can keep protesting. We’ll keep laughing.”
Jones, who like Roy Chubby Brown has been banned by “over-zealous” councils, added: “TV comedy is terrible now. Watch Live At The Apollo…that must be canned laughter because I watch it and think, ‘how did that make you laugh?’ There’s nothing funny about it.
“So if you want a good old belly laugh come and see us at the Gaiety or wait until you see it on Ustreme. Someone ought to remind these protestors that the first paper to give The Comedians a five-star review was the Morning Star because back then they recognised it for what it is – hard-hitting working-class humour. Jokes to make you rock in your seats and howl with laughter. Not Friday Night s***e on Channel 4 with a trans-bloke playing keyboards with his old fella.” [he didn’t say old fella]
Read Jimmy’s full interview in The Express at https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1693011/jimmy-jones-stand-up-comedy-protestors-Proper-Comedians-Ustreme
Book tickets for 23rd Nov HERE
Book tickets for the 24th Nov HERE
