Duncan Norvelle
Duncan Norvelle (born 1958, Hoton, Loughborough, Leicestershire, England) is an English comedian in the variety tradition, who appeared on television from the early 1980s. He is probably most famous for his catch phrase "Chase me!", leading to his often being referred to as Duncan "Chase me" Norvelle.[1] His act was based on appearing to be a stereotypical camp homosexual, whereas Norvelle is heterosexual; he has three children: Sophie (with ex-wife Trudi Dean), Yasmin (with former girlfriend Tina Hall) and Jack (with wife Jane Lindsay).[2]
Entertainment career
In 1984[3] or early 1985[4] (sources vary), he hosted an unscreened pilot dating show called "It's a Hoot"[3] for London Weekend Television. It was reported that both John Birt, LWT's Director of Programmes and the Independent Broadcasting Authority regulatory body had reservations about Norvelle's camp style in a dating show; the series was eventually re-titled Blind Date and hosted by Cilla Black.[4] 2008 saw him go out on tour as part of the Ricky Tomlinson Laughter Show.[1] Norvelle spent the 2009 pantomime season playing Buttons in Cinderella in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
In December 2011, he appeared on Celebrity Come Dine with Me with Sean Hughes, Gina Yashere and Paul Tonkinson.
In 2014, Norvelle starred in low-budget British gangster film 'Ard Sods, portraying camp gang land boss, 'Bully Boy' Spencer.
Health
Norvelle was hospitalised during the first week in April 2012 after suffering a stroke, leaving him paralysed down the left side of his body.[5] After nine weeks in hospital, he cancelled his summer season with comedy duo Cannon and Ball, to be replaced by Stu Francis.[5]
DVDs
Norvelle had an In The Club DVD released in January 2006 by Boulevard Entertainment; and also appears on the Ricky Tomlinson Laughter Show Live DVD. The latter included a brief interview.
References
- 1 2 "Ricky Tomlinson meets Scargill at opening - GALLERY". The Star. 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ↑ "Barrymore's Wife Falls For Another Camp Comic". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- 1 2 "BFI Screenonline: Blind Date (1985-2003)". Screenonline.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- 1 2 Jennings, Luke (6 March 1994). "Independent on Sunday, 6 March 1994". The Independent. London. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
- 1 2 "BBC News - Comedian Duncan Norvelle suffers stroke". BBC. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2012.