Tommy Cannon

Thomas Derbyshire (born 27 June 1938), known professionally as Tommy Cannon, is an English comic, actor and singer. He is best known as the straight man of the comic double act Cannon and Ball, until Bobby Ball's death in 2020, in TV programmes such as The Cannon and Ball Show.

This article is about the comic. For the author, see Thomas Cannon.

Tommy Cannon
Cannon in 2013
Born
Thomas Derbyshire

(1938-06-27) 27 June 1938
Oldham, Lancashire, England
Occupation(s)Comic, actor, singer
Years active1972–present
Children5

Cannon and Ball
Main article: Cannon and Ball

Cannon was one half of comedy duo Cannon and Ball opposite his friend and colleague Bobby Ball (real name Robert Harper) before his death. They first appeared on television in 1968 on the talent show Opportunity Knocks.[1] The duo's prime-time Saturday-night television series The Cannon and Ball Show was one of LWT's most successful series, with consistently high viewing ratings over 12 years. They starred in the film The Boys in Blue together in 1982 and guest starred in the Eric Sykes slapstick film Mr H is Late in 1988. Other notable guest appearances were on The Kenny Everett Television Show in 1982 and Shooting Stars in 1996.

On 28 October 2020, Cannon's comedy partner Bobby Ball died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19.[2]

Television

In late 2005, Cannon and Ball appeared in the fifth series of reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.[3]

In 2012, Cannon and Ball appeared in the third celebrity series of Coach Trip.

Cannon and Ball star in the Safestyle UK television advertisements. He made a one-off guest appearance in the 2014 Christmas special of Not Going Out on BBC One.

Cannon was cast in ITV soap opera Emmerdale as pensioner Derek in 2019. He appears in several episodes and features in a story that has "serious consequences" for regular characters.[4] The character was killed off at the conclusion of Cannon's guest stint.[5]

Personal life

Cannon's first marriage was to Margaret; they had two daughters, Jeanette (born 1961) and Julie (1964). The couple later divorced in 1993. They split up in 1987 but Margaret wouldn't give Tommy a divorce.[6] He lives in York with his second wife Hazel who is 20 years his junior,[7] by whom he has three children: Kelly-Anne (born 1991),[8] Zoe Louise (born 1993) and Luke Thomas[9] (born 1996).[10]

He served as Chairman of Rochdale Football Club for a term until 1988.[11]

References
  1. "Opportunity Knocks: Cannon & Ball". Memorable TV. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  2. Christianity for Beginners Archived 13 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Busk-Cowley, Mark (2014). I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!: The Inside Story. Bantam Press. p. 140. ISBN 978-0593073483.
  4. Phillipson, Daisy (3 September 2019). "Emmerdale announces two new characters arriving this month". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  5. Lee, Jess (24 September 2019). "Emmerdale lines up new death storyline as the Sharmas and Dingles receive a shock". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  6. Cannon and Ball bounce back Archived 26 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "How we met: Tommy Cannon & Bobby Ball – Profiles – News – The Independent". The Independent. 24 December 2006.
  8. Sunday magazine, November 1992 Archived 26 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  9. Cannon & Ball profile Archived 25 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Births England and Wales 1984–2006
  11. "Rochdale FC". Comedy Kings. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
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