About

In 1964, a single appearance on TV talent show Opportunity Knocks made ‘Parrotface’ comedian Freddie Davies famous overnight. Spectacular success followed, stars such as Judy Garland, Cliff Richard, even Cary Grant, were fans…
But when it all began to slip in the 1980s, Freddie became a producer and then forged yet another career as a serious actor. He appeared to great acclaim in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of The Secret Garden and cult film Funny Bones – alongside Lee Evans and Jerry Lewis – based on tales of Freddie’s music hall comic grandfather Jack Herbert. Now he has come full circle, delighting audiences again as Samuel Tweet in theatres up and down the land.
Fifty years on from his television debut, Freddie finally tells his own story, revealing for the first time the tragedy behind his early days in Salford and a family secret that rocked his world. He paints a vivid and hilarious picture of a gruelling apprenticeship in the Northern clubs – revealing how ‘Parrotface’ spluttered into life.
With a foreword by legendary comic Ken Dodd, this unique autobiography is a poignant and hilarious evocation of a vanished world, offering insights into the art of stand-up and a richly nostalgic treat for comedy connoisseurs.
- See more at: http://www.scratchingshedpublishing.com/products-page/#sthash.dSNj10mK.dpuf
In 1964, a single appearance on TV talent show Opportunity Knocks made ‘Parrotface’ comedian Freddie Davies famous overnight. Spectacular success followed, stars such as Judy Garland, Cliff Richard, even Cary Grant, were fans…
But when it all began to slip in the 1980s, Freddie became a producer and then forged yet another career as a serious actor. He appeared to great acclaim in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of The Secret Garden and cult film Funny Bones – alongside Lee Evans and Jerry Lewis – based on tales of Freddie’s music hall comic grandfather Jack Herbert. Now he has come full circle, delighting audiences again as Samuel Tweet in theatres up and down the land.
Fifty years on from his television debut, Freddie finally tells his own story, revealing for the first time the tragedy behind his early days in Salford and a family secret that rocked his world. He paints a vivid and hilarious picture of a gruelling apprenticeship in the Northern clubs – revealing how ‘Parrotface’ spluttered into life.
With a foreword by legendary comic Ken Dodd, this unique autobiography is a poignant and hilarious evocation of a vanished world, offering insights into the art of stand-up and a richly nostalgic treat for comedy connoisseurs.
- See more at: http://www.scratchingshedpublishing.com/products-page/#sthash.dSNj10mK.dpuf
In 1964, a single appearance on TV talent show Opportunity Knocks made ‘Parrotface’ comedian Freddie Davies famous overnight. Spectacular success followed, stars such as Judy Garland, Cliff Richard, even Cary Grant, were fans…
But when it all began to slip in the 1980s, Freddie became a producer and then forged yet another career as a serious actor. He appeared to great acclaim in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of The Secret Garden and cult film Funny Bones – alongside Lee Evans and Jerry Lewis – based on tales of Freddie’s music hall comic grandfather Jack Herbert. Now he has come full circle, delighting audiences again as Samuel Tweet in theatres up and down the land.
Fifty years on from his television debut, Freddie finally tells his own story, revealing for the first time the tragedy behind his early days in Salford and a family secret that rocked his world. He paints a vivid and hilarious picture of a gruelling apprenticeship in the Northern clubs – revealing how ‘Parrotface’ spluttered into life.
With a foreword by legendary comic Ken Dodd, this unique autobiography is a poignant and hilarious evocation of a vanished world, offering insights into the art of stand-up and a richly nostalgic treat for comedy connoisseurs.
- See more at: http://www.scratchingshedpublishing.com/products-page/#sthash.dSNj10mK.dpuf
I am the cowriter of Funny Bones, the long-awaited autobiography of legendary comedian Freddie "Parrotface" Davies, now available - scroll down for details.


 "An invaluable record" 
KEN DODD 


"One of the most honest and illuminating books I have read about the practice of comedy" 
JOHN FISHER 

"A vivid description of the scene of fifty years ago" 
 CHORTLE 


"A fascinating and important story" 
VIV GARDNER 

"One of the few great biographies of British comedy" 
ALWYN TURNER 


"A smashing book"
LOUIS BARFE


In 1964, a single appearance on TV talent show Opportunity Knocks made struggling comedian Freddie "Parrotface" Davies famous overnight. Spectacular success followed; stars such as Judy Garland, Cliff Richard, even Cary Grant, were fans …

When it all began to slip in the 1980s, Freddie became a producer and later forged a career as a serious actor. He appeared to great acclaim in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of The Secret Garden and cult film Funny Bones – alongside Lee Evans and Jerry Lewis – based on tales of Freddie’s music hall comic grandfather Jack Herbert, an acknowledged influence on Sid Field. 

Fifty years on from that television debut, Freddie finally tells his own story, revealing for the first time the tragedy behind his early days in Salford and a family secret which shook his world. Along the way he paints a vivid and hilarious picture of his gruelling apprenticeship in the Northern clubs, revealing how ‘Parrotface’ first spluttered into life.  
    

With a foreword by the late Ken Dodd, this unique autobiography is a poignant and hilarious evocation of several vanished worlds, offering insights into the art of stand-up and the making of Peter Chelsom's film Funny Bones along the way - a richly nostalgiac treat for comedy connoisseurs.



Funny Bones: My Life in Comedy by Freddie Davies with Anthony Teague is published by Scratching Shed. 

To buy direct from Scratching Shed, click HERE 

Funny Bones is also available from amazon HERE and other online shops.