Stu Francis
Encyclopedia
Stu Francis is a British comedian with a camp style
of delivery who achieved celebrity as lead presenter on the children's television programme Crackerjack (1979–1984), on which his catchphrase was "Ooh! I could crush a grape". His principal "co host" was Basil Brush
. He went on to host Ultra Quiz
in 1985 and Border TV's Crush a Grape in 1987, a children's game show in a similar vein to his era of Crackerjack. He also released a single in 1985 called "Ooh! I could crush a grape".
After Brownlow Fold Junior School and Smithills Base School, both in Bolton, he worked as a singer entertaining guests at holiday camps. He then switched to comedy and appeared in summer seasons at clubs and in theatres.
Camp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
of delivery who achieved celebrity as lead presenter on the children's television programme Crackerjack (1979–1984), on which his catchphrase was "Ooh! I could crush a grape". His principal "co host" was Basil Brush
Basil Brush
Basil Brush is a fictional anthropomorphic fox raconteur, best known for his appearances on daytime British children's television. He is primarily portrayed by a glove puppet, but has also been depicted in animated cartoon shorts and comic strips...
. He went on to host Ultra Quiz
Ultra Quiz
Ultra Quiz was an elimination game show series that was produced by TVS and aired for three series and a total of 24 episodes on the ITV network from 9 July 1983 until 17 August 1985. The British version was devised by Jeremy Beadle...
in 1985 and Border TV's Crush a Grape in 1987, a children's game show in a similar vein to his era of Crackerjack. He also released a single in 1985 called "Ooh! I could crush a grape".
After Brownlow Fold Junior School and Smithills Base School, both in Bolton, he worked as a singer entertaining guests at holiday camps. He then switched to comedy and appeared in summer seasons at clubs and in theatres.
Television
Television appearances include:- Ultra QuizUltra QuizUltra Quiz was an elimination game show series that was produced by TVS and aired for three series and a total of 24 episodes on the ITV network from 9 July 1983 until 17 August 1985. The British version was devised by Jeremy Beadle...
- Live From Her Majesty'sLive From Her Majesty'sLive From Her Majesty's was a Sunday night live variety show which was produced by London Weekend Television for the ITV network and ran from 1982 to 1988...
- The Comedians (1971)
- Crackerjack hosted 1979-1984
- Cheggers Plays PopCheggers Plays PopCheggers Plays Pop was a British children's television show broadcast from 10 April 1978 to 7 November 1986. The show's format consisted of a series of physical and mental challenges undertaken by two teams of children representing their respective schools, together with studio performances by...
(1983) episode 6.7 - CiTVCITVCITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
(1983) Presenter (1983–1985) - The Keith Harris Show (1986) episode 3.5
- Stupid Punts (2004)
- Our Survey Says: The Ultimate Game Show Moments (2005)