Freddie's home to roost with a class in comedy

He made his reputation as a comedian - starring in his own TV children’s show – as one Samuel Tweet, the spluttering creation of a Redcoat’s attempts to make audiences of all ages laugh.

Now, minus the out-sized lisp, Freddie’s hosting a master class in Blackpool this month. His first, in London and Manchester, were oversubscribed.

He now lives near York but returns to adopted home turf to hold court at the Studio of Blackpool’s Grand from 2.30pm to 5pm on June 30.

At £30 a ticket it’s an opportunity knocking for young comedians and entertainers to pick up tips, trade secrets, and tactics from one of the greats – a man for whom Opportunity Knocked in 1964 four years after he became entertainments manager at the Metropole Hotel.

Freddie’s clocked up more than 60 years in the trade, comedian, actor, impresario, producer, author (My Life in Comedy) and now mentor. He’s reinvented himself along the way.

Freddie learned at the school of hard knocks rather than Britain’s Got Talent. He served an apprenticeship on the northern club land scene, was a Redcoat when it was rite of passage for some of our greatest entertainers.

His TV career, which spanned 60s to 80s, took flight with Parrotface but Freddie admits: “I’ve had to learn and adapt every step of the way. That’s why I want to share with others.”

Freddie’s legacy is out in book form and on the big screen. Fans included Cary Grant. Anecdotes about his grandfather comedian Jack Herbert inspired local actor turned director Peter Chelsom’s film Funny Bones starring Jerry Lewis. Freddie had a cameo in it. He also worked with the RSC and appeared in Harry Potter, along with countless TV appearances and his own children’s TV series.

“There’s a knack to it all,” says Freddie, who reveals the tips, techniques, tactics and strategies used not just by him, but other world-class professionals.

The master class is on Thursday June 30 from 2.30pm-5pm, tickets £30, inquiries to [email protected] or 01423 325031.