| The Bob Downe Special!
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Filmed in LWT studio 1 on 12 September 1996. The Prince of Polyester opened his TV special by singing Fame. He looked very 'Sunday afternoon in Romford' in his shellsuit.
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| "Let me look at you", said Bob, checking out the audience. "You are looking fan-flippintastic, you are and I'm looking even better."
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| "Michael Jackson, he went and married Lisa-Marie Presley. Next thing I'll be marrying Martina Navratilova!"
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| First guest on the show was the legendary Anthony Newley. He sang The Candy Man whilst Bob tried very hard to catch the sweets Anthony was throwing. He missed them all so decided to join in with the song.
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Bob then sang Mack The Knife backed by Laurie Holloway and his band.
"You scared me Laurie. You could have had my eye out with that pendant."
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| "This outfit is great, it's very kicky and free. It's like a fashion parade at Brent Cross all of a sudden isn't it? I'm not a poof. I'm not... Oh yes I am!"
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Bob felt in tune with his next guests, Ant & Dec. They were young, trendy and lived with their mums.
Bob: "A couple of confirmed bachelors like me."
Ant & Dec: "Not quite like you..."
Bob: "Not that confirmed!"
They sang a funky version of Lady Marmalade together.
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| Bob strutted his stuff to Yeh Yeh but got a stitch again and had to be carried off stage by a couple of male dancers.
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| Another costume change and this time it was a little understated number, which Bob always wears when he goes to Murwillumbah's club, the Classy Lady Bar & Grill.
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| Bob gave us a lesson in how to attract a beautiful stranger. First, catch their eye and if they don't notice you, wave like crazy. Next, let your facial expressions do the talking and show them you could be an animal if they really want it.
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Bob and his final guest, Martine McCutcheon, duetted on Don't You Want Me. Turns out both had done some catalogue modelling in the past. Bob had been the one with the smooth hump on the underwear page.
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| Bob was a bit overwhelmed at having a beautiful girl join him on his bean bags to sing Lucky Stars.
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| It was all to end in disaster too. Going, Going...
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......Gone.
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 31/12/96 (08/01/97 Grampian) ITV
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| Good Morning Murwillumbah
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| Bob made his name on regional, daytime TV and was the Judy Finnegan of his hometown's show.
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Kimberley Davies, Annelise from Neighbours, came on the show to demonstrate a new hair removing product. Did it hurt Bob?
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| We'll take that as a 'yes' then!
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"I am working, really. No, look, listen, I am!"
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| The exercise slot wasn't quite Bob's thing. Putting the presenters through their paces was the Green Goddess, Diana Moran. Bob did try the workout but was inclined to spill his tea and before long, he got a stitch and then his socks fell down.
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Co-presenter of the show, Judy Free, (she's being abolished) helped Bob bring a song, a chat and a lot of hair care products to the viewers.1996 Regional TV
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| Funny Business
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This was the first time I had seen Mark appear as himself on British television. He was advertising his forthcoming TV special and discussing Bob's rise to fame.
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| Recording of the show was delayed as Mark said he was vain and had to check his hair was alright. He wouldn't care less if he was Bob but doesn't like to frock up before 6.00pm. Bob didn't seem to be too far under the surface though.
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| Inevitably, the interviewer asked about Bob's hair and clothes.
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| Mark explained that Bob's wig came about because he wanted to look like a bland 70's American TV presenter but at that time, in the 80's, he had long hair, New Romantic style (all pictorial evidence has been destroyed!). He had to use one of the girl's wigs that was left over from the Globos. 10 years later and it's still going strong. The safari suit was sent to him by the wardrobe girls on Neighbours.
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Interviewer: "So what's in the future for Bob?"
Mark: "By the time this goes out
I'll be... I'll be sunning myself on Bondi Beach but I'll be
under a great big blanket trying to keep my London tan. Em, I'll
be working out in Australia for the Summer, the Aussie Summer and
ah... and then hope... coming back, I don't know, maybe around
March, I guess. Start touring again, hopefully a series..."
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Check Behind The Max Factor for a full transcript of this interview.21/12/1996
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