Henry the shrub is to star in his own television talk show.
The erudite talking lavender bush, runaway winner of a recent pub quiz at
The Nut Tree, will host his own programme, scheduled for BBC 1 later this
summer.
The initiative is the brainchild of local celebrity Barrie Nesbit,
presenter of popular children’s programme Mr. Wobbly’s World. After reading about the quiz win (Observer,
May 21st), he immediately contacted Henry’s owner, Cheetingham businessman
Alastair Rose, and put the idea to him.
“It struck me right away that Henry was made for TV,” said Mr. Nesbit,
speaking by phone from his Wythering home, “and with my standing at the BBC, it
was fairly easy to convince the Head of Light Entertainment to take a chance.
“I mean, how many chat shows are presented by anything other than a human
host? Even the Japanese networks haven’t managed that!”
The pilot programme, provisionally entitled Chatting Around The Bush, will air on August 23rd. Guests so far
confirmed include actor/director Phoebe Waller-Bridge, heavyweight boxer
Anthony Joshua and Julien Overbite-Smythe, the man who for 10 years was Elton
John’s personal dental floss provider. Music will be courtesy of Crazy Frog tribute act Spawn Again.
Sources close to the Observer report
that Nigel Farage has been approached to perform a fundraising balloon sculpture
act, with all proceeds going towards a second Brexit referendum.
Asked how he felt about appearing on national TV, Henry answered: “I’m
really excited by it all. I’ve always enjoyed a challenge and the opportunity
to do things other bushes can’t.
“So in fact, you could say that I’m branching out,” he added, with a
cheeky rustle of the foliage.
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