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Vic Reeves

Sue Lawley's castaway is comedian Vic Reeves.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the comedian Jim Moir, best known by the name of his alter ego Vic Reeves. Jim was born in Leeds but soon moved to Darlington with his family. He attended the local school and left with one O level in Art. He fulfilled the expectations of his school by getting a job in a factory, completing his apprenticeship and working there for four years.
However, he was bored so he moved to London with three friends. After trying a few different jobs he began running club nights - with music, acts and entertainment. He would hire a venue and the bands and he would be the compere.

Jim decided to take on the persona of Vic Reeves as it gave him an excuse to act up. A comedy night came up and instead of booking three comedians, he decided to do the whole night himself. Vic Reeves' Big Night Out was born. After teaming up with Bob Mortimer, a solicitor who had been in the audience of one of his shows, the show went from strength to strength. It was a huge success and TV rights were fought over by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and Channel 4. Since then, he has appeared on both channels with a variety of programmes including The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, Shooting Stars and Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased). The programmes have won BAFTA Awards for Originality and Best Live Performance plus British Comedy Awards.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams
Book: Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome
Luxury: Potato seeds

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 14 Mar 2003 09:00

Music Played

  • Jimi Hendrix

    Voodoo Chile

    • 70s Rock U.S..
    • Knight.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Ralph Vaughan Williams

      The Lark Ascending

      Soloist: Michael Davis Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra

      • Byways of British Music.
      • Chandos.
  • Ella Fitzgerald

    The Very Thought Of You

    • The Incomparable Ella.
    • Polydor.
  • Henry Cow

    Nirvana for Mice

    • Legend.
    • ESD.
  • Free

    Mr Big

    • Free Live.
    • Island.
  • Aphex Twin

    Bucephalus Bouncing Ball

    • Come to Daddy.
    • Warp Records.
  • Jeff Beck

    Where Were You

    Composer: J Beck-t Bozzio/T Hymas

    • Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop.
    • Epic.
  • Glenn Tilbrook

    Parallel World

    • The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook.
    • Quixotic.
  • Book Choice

    • Three Men in a Boat - Jerome K Jerome

  • Luxury Choice

    • Potato seeds

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Vic Reeves

Broadcasts

  • Sun 9 Mar 2003 11:15
  • Fri 14 Mar 2003 09:00

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