Tag Archives: Rowan Atkinson

Baldrick Returns for Comic Relief 2023

Fans of the classic British sitcom Blackadder were thrilled to learn that one of the show’s most beloved characters, Baldrick, will be making a return for this year’s Comic Relief. Sir Tony Robinson, who played the bumbling servant in all four seasons of the show, has confirmed that he will be donning the iconic ragged clothes once again to raise money for charity.

The announcement has caused quite a stir on social media, with fans expressing their excitement at the prospect of seeing Baldrick back on screen. For many, the character is an essential part of the Blackadder canon, and his return will be a welcome dose of nostalgia for those who grew up watching the show.

So, what can we expect from Baldrick’s return? Details are currently scarce, but Robinson has hinted that the character will be involved in a skit that will be shown during the Comic Relief telethon. He has also suggested that the sketch may involve other members of the Blackadder cast, although he has not revealed who these might be.

For fans of the show, the prospect of seeing Baldrick back in action is a tantalising one. The character was a constant source of comic relief throughout the show’s run, with his hare-brained schemes and endless optimism providing a perfect foil to the witticisms of the more erudite characters. From his famous “cunning plan” catchphrase to his memorable turn as a war poet in the final season, Baldrick was always a highlight of the show.

Of course, the return of Baldrick is not just a chance for fans to relive their favourite moments from Blackadder. It is also an opportunity to raise money for a good cause. Comic Relief is a UK-based charity that aims to tackle poverty and social injustice in the UK and around the world. Since its inception in 1985, it has raised over £1 billion for various charitable causes, making it one of the most successful fundraising initiatives in history.

Robinson has been a vocal supporter of Comic Relief for many years, and his decision to bring back Baldrick is just the latest in a long line of efforts to raise money for the charity. In the past, he has taken part in various fundraising activities, including a celebrity version of the TV quiz show Mastermind, and a charity bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

For fans of Blackadder, the return of Baldrick is a chance to relive some of the show’s most memorable moments and see one of their favourite characters back on screen. But more than that, it is an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause and make a difference to people’s lives. As the Comic Relief telethon approaches, fans of the show will no doubt be eagerly anticipating the return of their favourite servant and the chance to make a donation to a charity that has been changing lives for over 30 years. Red Nose day returns on Friday March 17th 2023 and is broadcast on BBC One from 7pm.

To find out more about the fantastic work that Comic Relief does and to grab yourself a fundraising pack, head on over to here!

Rowan takes the comedy proud crown

A new survey by British broadband supplier Plusnet has revealed that 44% of us Brits are most proud of Mr. Blackadder himself Rowan Atkinson (when polled against other great British comedic greats).

When asked to name the comedian they were most proud of, Rowan came out tops, followed by Python John Cleese with over a third of the votes.

Although news of Monty Python’s return after a 39 year break is music to many comedy fans’ ears, new research from home phone and broadband provider, Plusnet, reveals it is Blackadder star Rowan Atkinson who springs to mind when it comes to acts to be proud of.

Despite sell-out tours and multi million selling DVDs, big names in modern comedy do not rate as highly as their more established counterparts, with Ricky Gervais receiving just 16% of the vote, missing out on the top five by a clear 10%.

The news comes as Plusnet looks at British traits the public is most proud of, with 68% saying they take most pride in the British sense of humour. This rates significantly higher with men than women, with 42% of men saying they feel very proud of our wit compared to 32% of women.

The top five comedians Brits are most proud of are:

1.      Rowan Atkinson (44%)
2.      John Cleese (39%)
3.      Stephen Fry (39%)
4.      Billy Connelly (34%)
5.      Hugh Laurie (26%)

Nick Rawlings, Commercial Director at Plusnet commented, “We know how popular streaming and downloading classic content is, and with today’s technology offering so many different ways of enjoying our favourite comedians, it is no surprise that the nation’s funny-men can divide opinion. It is interesting to see that the entertainers we’re most proud of are of a certain vintage, proving that the newest generation still have a thing or two to learn!

“Plusnet is proud to offer great value home phone and broadband packages, allowing our customers to stream their favourite comedies today, regardless of how vintage the clips may be.”

Blackadder The Third – 25th Anniversary

Today marks the 25th anniversary since Blackadder The Third was first aired on television.

To celebrate this momentous  occasion, I will be wittering on about the series on BBC Radio Oxford today.

Happy birthday Blacky!

Rowan Returns To West End

Source: What’s on Stage

Rowan Atkinson will return to the West End early next year to play the title role in a revival of Simon Gray’s Quartermaine’s Terms.

Produced by Michael Codron and directed by Richard Eyre, it opens at Wyndham’s Theatre on 29 January 2013 (previews from 23 January) following runs at the The Theatre Royal Brighton (8 – 12 January) and the Theatre Royal Bath (14 – 19 January).

Set in the 1960s in an English language school for foreigners, Gray’s 1971 play is a humorous and poignant account of several years in the lives of seven teachers.

At the heart of the group is St John Quartermaine (Atkinson) – kind, pleasant and agreeable, but utterly hopeless as a teacher. An almost permanent feature in the staff room, he’s always available to listen to the problems of his self-obsessed colleagues. But when a new Principal is appointed, Quartermaine’s future looks precarious.

Quartermaine’s Terms will mark Rowan Atkinson’s first appearance in a play for almost 25 years. He first appeared in the West End in 1981 in Rowan Atkinson in Revue, also produced by Michael Codron and subsequently in The New Revue, The Nerd, The Sneeze and most recently as Fagin in Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of the musical Oliver!, for which he received a Whatsonstage.com Award.

Britain’s Best Sitcom added

Back in 2004, the BBC broadcast a series that wanted to find ‘Britain’s Best Sitcom’. The British public voted by phone and text during 2003 to decide on the top 100. With the results in, the top 10 were produced and a celebrity advocate of a sitcom was chosen to put their case to the public to ultimately decide on what would be the greatest sitcom.

John Sergeant states why ‘Blackadder’ is his favourite sitcom.

You can read his statement and watch the episode here.

Cheltenham Literary Festival Audio

I’ve finally uploaded the audio from the 2008 Cheltenham Literary Festival talk with Richard Curtis, John Lloyd and Tony Robinson; You’ll find it in the library under ‘other stuff’. Or you could just click here.