Remembering Crisco the Isle of Wight’s own Tommy Cooper

With his hound dog look and hilarious magical tricks, he would have his audiences in fits of laughter.

Crisco, as was his stage name, entertained not only locally, but worldwide; his amusing on-stage antics overcoming all language barriers.

Having retired his wand and hectic stage career, he now lives a more relaxed life.

Crisco during his early days with Herbert the duck. (Image: David White)

His professional career spanned many years, and started when he was just eight, performing on Saturday morning children's cinema clubs in the 1950s, earning the then proud sum of £4.

Magic was in the family; his father was also a professional magician.

By the time he had turned sixteen, the incredible Christopher, as he was then billed, was making headlines.

During his time as a performer, he became renowned not only for his hilarious stage act, but also for his amusing and bizarre life away from the stage.

It is often said that his stories could fill a book.

Crisco during his early days. (Image: David White)

Crisco on tour, and with his future wife. (Image: David White)

As a freelance photographer, one of my Fleet Street clients was the News of the World, and I would often cover outrageous and amusing stories involving Crisco, as he eventually became known.

I will recount just a few examples of his amazing and eccentric life.

Performing to a packed-out audience in Blackpool, unbeknown to him, Mary Whitehouse, the moral decency activist, was in the audience.

When he performed a risqué trick involving a female volunteer from the audience and some sausages, Mrs Whitehouse stood up and denounced him, suggesting the rest of the audience do the same.

But the packed house stayed put, waiting to see the rest of the act.

Later, Mrs Whitehouse vowed to finish his career on stage by denouncing indecency during his act.

This did not turn out as was expected, as following her public condemnation, Crisco’s phone did not stop ringing with so many bookings coming in.

Mrs Whitehouse also told him she had informed the police of his “immoral stage act”.

It was some weeks later while he was in his dressing room following a show down South that the police called on him.

An inspector and a Sargent announced they had come to “book him”.

Images of a court appearance flashed through Chris' mind, but to his amazement, his notoriety had given them the idea to “book” him for none other than the annual police Christmas show.

Next, I turn to the story of his performance in the then communist East Germany.          

When payment time came, he was told he could only be paid with goods, and not Russian money. The only options were two ill-fitting suits, and in order to make up the rest of his fee, a very large box containing hundreds of ping pong balls.

Crisco with Synthia Payne. (Image: David White)

What made matters worse was going through customs and having the box split.

Needless to say, there were some very irate customs officials. 

Here, I have space to mention just a couple of stories.

He has had the most unbelievable career working with countless top names in dozens of locations across the world, including in Las Vegas, competing to win the award for being the fifth best magical entertainer in the world.

But while home on the Island, he quietly spent some of his valuable time helping vulnerable people and campaigning to save historical buildings.

Crisco truly is the Island’s much-loved answer to Tommy Cooper.