Jon Culshaw: “I loved the way Mike Yarwood completely morphed into his characters”

In Bruce’s Hall of Fame, Dead Ringers perfomer Jon Culshaw will turn his skills to emulating another skilled impersonator; Mike Yarwood. Here, Jon explains how Mike’s performances captured his imagination and what it was like to perform alongside another legend – the one and only Sir Bruce Forsyth!

It’s important for Mike to know how revered and loved he is.

Jon Culshaw

You’re paying tribute to Mike Yarwood with your performance. What made his work so compelling for you?

I loved the way Mike Yarwood completely morphed into his characters. It was as if the real Mike had disappeared. Watching his show when I was a lad, it took about three episodes before I realised it was performed by only one man.

Did you speak to Mike at all about the show?

No, it’s a surprise and I hope he enjoys it. I think it’s important for Mike to know how revered and loved he is.

Can you give us a hint about the ‘twist’ in your approach to paying tribute to Mike and his impressions?

It’s interesting how the characters Mike was doing in his shows have many similar patterns and traits to the characters around today. I wanted to show in my performance how things are perhaps not as different as you may first think.

Of course, you’re not just performing to the nation on BBC One – you recorded the show for a full house at the London Palladium! Can you describe what that’s like?

It was an amazing experience to perform to a packed out Palladium. Something you can’t help feel very proud about. It’s like playing for your national team at the Olympics. The presence of all those great performers over the years resonate through the place.

The show is hosted by the one and only Bruce Forsyth. What’s it like to perform alongside such a showbiz legend?

It is marvellous to work with Sir Bruce. [It’s] amazing to watch how professional and energetic he is. It’s also very calming working with him. Something about his depth of experience puts you at your ease.

I’m guessing you have your own impression of Bruce…

There’s a moment in the routine where I do a Brucie impression… He popped out from behind the curtain with a little rebuke! All in fun though.

Finally, Bruce’s Hall of Fame is part of the BBC’s Christmas line-up, but what will you be settling down to enjoy this festive season?

Ahh, I shall be watching Doctor Who for sure and lots of Morecambe and Wise, The Two Ronnies and Tommy Cooper. There’s something eternally Christmassy about those shows. I hope they run Mike Yarwood’s Christmas Show again… He pulled in 28.2 million viewers [in 1977]; a record in the UK.