Jasper Carrott at 80 - still loving comedy

"Ive had a brilliant life."

As Jasper Carrott celebrates his 80th birthday on Friday, the Birmingham comedian admits comedy is hard work but he still enjoys entertaining crowds.

"I dont do as many shows as I used to," he told the BBC.

"These days I do it because I just really love it, really enjoy it.

"Of course I get the sympathy vote from the audience - oh the poor old devil, lets go and see, its probably the last chance well get to see him."

As a performer, he first came to prominence in the 1970s with anecdotes about Midlands life delivered in a Brummie accent - and his novelty single Funky Moped, a surprise top five hit in 1975.

He went on to host shows including Carrotts Lib, Carrotts Commercial Breakdown, the game show Golden Balls and he was in the comedy show The Detectives with Robert Powell.

Born Robert Davis on 14 March 1945, the comedian said former ELO drummer Bev Bevan played a part in his stage name.

"It is his fault", he said, reflecting on when they were on a golf course in Swanshurst Park in Birmingham.

"Wed finished playing silly golf and a bloke came up...Bev said oh this is Jasper and this guy said Jasper who?

"No-one had ever asked me Jasper who?... I just said carrot. I dont know why.

"The Bevan thought it was the funniest thing hed ever heard so he immediately went and told everybody oh, its Jasper Carrott."

The comedian explained school teachers had called him Jasper but his wife went out with him for six months before "she realised it wasnt my real name".

"It was only when I took her to meet my mum and my mum said oh hello Bobby.

"I said well, thats my name, thats my real name, Robert - Robert Davis and she couldnt get her breath."

Carrott was doing a few folk clubs when he started his career and had to call himself "Jasper Carrott - because thats what everybody knew me as".

Asked what his wife called him now, he replied: "Pain."

The comedian also said "the most impressive person" he had ever met was Diana, Princess of Wales.

At a charity night in Birmingham, a banquet was held afterwards and Carrott, who was asked to do a raffle, was in the VIP room.

"Id got my back to the door and suddenly in the room there was this electricity," he said.

"I do not exaggerate... and I thought thats the princess and turned round and sure enough shed come in.

"She saw me, she came through all these people, she walked up and she said: Hello Jasper, how are you?

"I curtsied. Why did I? I dont know... but we got on like a house on fire."

Eight years ago, the comedian had major heart surgery - initially a triple bypass, which ended up being a quadruple.

Now as he reflects on comedy, he said: "Theres an element of gift about it.

"There are... comedians like Peter Kay. As soon as he walks on, you laugh because hes got funny bones.

"Ive always had to win an audience over but that was to my advantage as well, so I could slowly draw people in."

He said he had had an "absolutely brilliant life", adding he was married to "one of the best women in the world" and mentioning family and friends.

"It feels the same as when I was eight," he said. "You wake up in the morning and you get on with the day. Long may it continue."

Jasper Carrott at 80 will be on BBC Radio WM at 09:00 GMT on Friday 14 March and available afterwards here.

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