JIMMY TARBUCK SAYS THE JOKE IS ON HIM AFTER WHAT HE HEARD SOMEONE SAY ABOUT HIM IN LIVERPOOL

Jimmy Tarbuck has opened up on his Liverpudlian roots in his new autobiography, Laughter Is The Best Medicine. The book, which was released this month, explores the 85-year-old's incredible life in showbiz.

The comic explains how his story to the top of the industry started in Wavertree, before he moved to Mossley Hill aged 7. He said his happy home life in post war Britain helped forge the confidence that helped him charm the nation as the host of Sunday night at the Palladium.

Jimmy's book provides a fascinating into the Liverpool legends he crossed paths with along the way, as he attended the same Dovedale Primary School as John Lennon and George Harrison, who was two years younger than him.

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He said: "I got on great with John. He was just a normal Liverpool lad. I remember acting daft with him and running around the playground and shouting. He wasn't a sit-in-the-corner like George: if anything kicked off at school, John would be in the centre of it. As would I."

Jimmy's love for performing was forged at the Liverpool Empire when he saw comedy icons such as Laurel and Hardy and Bob Hope. The comic was famous for his distinctive gap tooth and he even speaks about how this came to be during a trip to Woolton Baths when he was younger.

He said: "On one visit, I swam a length and smacked my tooth into the end of the pool. It knocked one of my front teeth out. It hurt, and we went into the dentist, but the work to correct it would have been complicated. I wasn't bothered about missing a tooth so we left it as it was."

From his beginnings in Liverpool, Jimmy went on to become a household name and he spoke about how he still regularly returns to the city. However, he said the joke was on him during a recent visit after he overheard a conversation with a member of the public.

He said: "Sometimes the laugh is on me nowadays. I was back in Liverpool recently and walking down the street when I overheard two young women having this conversation.

'Look, over there! That's Jimmy Tarbuck!' 'Oo's 'e?' 'Liza's dad.' I've had sixty years at the top of the comedy tree, and an amazing life. But I'm not getting any younger."

Jimmy spoke about how grateful he is for the career he has led during an appearance on BBC Breakfast this week. He said: "I've been very lucky. I've done 61 years on the telly. All in the Premier League as well. I wish I was starting it again tomorrow. I've loved it. I've been very lucky but I've loved being Jimmy Tarbuck as well.

"The people have been so kind to me and it does the heart good." One of the standout stories involved his encounter with Elvis Presley, who he met through his friendship with Tom Jones.

Jimmy told the late music icon he was from Liverpool, which prompted the King of Rock and Roll to respond: "Where's that?"

The comic added: "In England. Are you going to come over? We love you." Jimmy told the musician that if he were to appear in England, he would sell out Wembley Stadium five times over.

He also spoke about the moment when his passion for performing was truly ignited during Laurel and Hardy's show at the Liverpool Empire.

He said: "I loved them and I ran down the aisle to the front where the band is and said hello. [Oliver Hardy] said 'hiya kid, are you enjoying it? Have a good night.' My mum and dad were in tears."

Jimmy Tarbuck's autobiography Laughter Is the Best Medicine is available now.

2025-11-16T07:28:30Z