Roy Jay

Roy Jay was born in Oslo, the son of a Norwegian father and a Scottish/Irish mother. He left Norway with his family aged four to live in South Wales. When he was eight, he spent a year in Cork, Ireland studying Gaelic and the violin, after which time he returned to his parents in Wales. The family soon moved again, to Atherton in Greater Manchester, England. Aged 15, Roy joined the Royal Norwegian Navy and spent two years travelling the world. After returning to civilian life, he performed as lead singer in a band who performed in small Northern clubs and dance halls. Following this, Jay became Assistant Entertainments Manager at Pontins holiday camp in Southport where he began performing stand-up comedy.[1]

In 1973, Roy Jay topped the bill in cabaret following the Miss Gibraltar beauty pageant, broadcast by Spanish network television. Jay toured the clubs of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales before being offered a three-month tour of South Africa in 1975. Jay stayed for eight months and rapidly built a following in the country before returning to the UK. In 1979, The Stage described Jay as "like no one else" and tipped him for future stardom.[1] At this time, Jay employed a look inspired by the teddy boy era and his act encompassed singing and impressions of Leo Sayer and Gene Vincent, amongst others.[5]

In the early 1980s, Jay began appearing on television with his "Spook Spook Slither Hither" act. Jay would prowl around the stage to musical accompaniment wearing a convict's uniform, telling jokes interjected with his catchphrases. He'd often remark "you'll all be doing it tomorrow" in reference to his act. In 1982, Jay self-released a single, "Vehicle / You Might Need Somebody". The A-side is a version of the 1970 hit single by the Ides of March, often the musical accompaniment to Jay's act.[6] These two tracks were included on a self-titled album on Clubland Records later that year. The album includes Jay's versions of popular songs including John Lee Hooker's "Dimples", Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale" and Leo Sayer's "The Show Must Go On".[7] In 1983, Jay appeared in The Bob Monkhouse Show and was introduced by Monkhouse as "a new comedian with a style that's all his own".[8] In June that year, Jay appeared on Chas and Dave's show Knees-Up.[9] Jay achieved his greatest fame around this time, appearing in television advertisements for Smiths Square Crisps and Schweppes lemonade. In April 1984, Jay starred with Les Dennis and Dustin Gee as a regular in the first series of BBC1's The Laughter Show.[10]

On 29 August 1984, Jay performed at the exclusive Inn on the Park club in Jersey. Frustrated with hecklers, he dropped his trousers on stage in front of a family audience. Jay was fined £200 after admitting indecent exposure. The incident received media coverage and dented Jay's public image.[11] Jay did not appear as a regular in the second series of The Laughter Show, but did make a guest appearance in the third episode in March 1985.[12] Jay spent years battling addiction to gambling, alcohol and substance abuse.

In later years, Jay performed in Benidorm,. He toured America with P.J. Proby in 2003.[13] Roy Jay died aged 59 peacefully at home in November 2007. His funeral was paid for by events held by local friends following his death. The funeral was held at Villajoyosa Crematorium on 22 January 2008.