Workdays & Weekends: Basil Brush

When we heard that Basil Brush, stalwart of British TV, was in town for the Perth Christmas Lights Switch On we couldn't resist the chance to grab him for a chat and find out what makes this famous fox tick. 

What else is there to say? Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we give you, Basil Brush in his own words....

NAME: Basil Brush
PLACE OF WORK: TV, Theatre, Holiday camps, Street corners... anywhere I can get an audience! ha ha boom boom!
POSITION: Normally standing up but prefer lying down... Oh I see what you mean ... Comic Talking Fox aka The Boss!
WORKING HOURS: As long as it takes till the audience want to go home...or throw vegetables! Long hours in television, all day, then back home to rest. Just like most actors...resting....and resting...

What does a typical day at work look like for you? 

A typical day starts with a full cooked English breakfast, read through some scripts, tell a joke, have a lie down, sit by the phone waiting for it to ring, have another lie down.

In the summer months it's drive hundreds of miles to a show, make everyone laugh for 50 mins and then drive all the way back again. I'm driven in a Rolls Canardly (rolls down the hill but canardly get back up the other side!) ...boom boom...have a lie down .....zzzzzzzz

What signals the start of your weekend/days off? Any rituals?

Days off are not normally weekends because I'm busy doing live shows with Mr Stephen. At Christmas time the only day off is Christmas day...my time off is normally at the end of a long run of shows when I collapse and go lie on a beach somewhere hot under a towel and go ginger!!! Sssssiiiiiiisssssslllleeeee!!

What makes for a perfect night in?

My perfect night in starts with a bath. Sometimes I put water in it, eat a can of baked beans and have a natural jacuzzi....I just let nature take its course. I like the bubbles!

What’s on your tour rider when you travel?

In my rider it says, jelly babies...and more jelly babies.

And now your best ever day at work? 

My best ever day at work was the first day of filming on the Basil Brush Show in 2002 on CBBC. It was such fun and the start of my return to TV once again.

We love that you’re such a dapper fellow and haven’t aged a day. What’s your secret?

I know I look better now than previously, but anyone who thinks I've had a facelift are talking out of their BOTOX! I have just grown more orange fur to hide the cracks.. Grannies do it....

What’s in the perfect day off breakfast?

A day off breakfast is a healthy portion of Rice Krispies...I love the snap, crackle and BOOM BOOM when you pour milk on them. And of course tea....the best drink of the day ...gets me going ! Excuse me....

Are you looking forward to Christmas? Are there any family traditions in the Brush household?

I always look forward to Christmas because it's my only day off in the festive period, and I love getting stuffed (FULL OF TURKEY!) with all the trimmings. I love opening presents and a making up a 'WRAP' song ...see what i did there! Boom Boom! I also love all the repeats on telly...takes me back to the 70s!!

And finally, any words of wisdom for us?

Laughter is the best medicine. And if you're really sick call an ambulance ...although they now say just go to see your local chemist instead .... Boom Boom!

**You can see Basil Brush on the Childrens Stage at Horsecross Plaza at 12.25pm and 3.30pm.  He will also be on the Main Stage on Tay Street with Stephen Mulhern at 6.25pm.