‘Getting showbiz personalities out of the political closet is rarely easy,’ the Observer commented on 5 May 1991, exploring the awkward relationship between politics and celebrity. It managed to out a few: Gyles Brandreth and Glenda Jackson were standing for election; John Major with his music-hall heritage was PM, and there was a new, albeit muted, hint of glamour to British political life. Tories admitted Margaret Thatcher had not helped seduce creatives: ‘She’s read one book, a Frederick Forsyth thriller’The ideological battle lines were clear. ‘Thespians and alternative comedians go for Labour,’ the article declared, with Kinnock-supporting quotes from Ben Elton, Lenny Henry and Prunella Scales. Meanwhile, ‘Sports stars and light entertainment comedians of the old school support the Tories.’ ‘Majorettes’ included Bob Monkhouse, Kenny Everett – and Steve Davis, joking about ‘potting reds’.

Source: The Guardian January 21, 2024 17:05 UTC