Bernie Clifton

Who is Bernie Clifton?

Bernie Clifton is a British comedian and entertainer. He began his teenage career singing with a dance band before working the pubs and clubs, doing shows in Blackpool and then progressing on to television where he appeared on the BBC television series Crackerjack with Michael Aspel, Peter Glaze, Don Maclean and Jan Hunt in the 1970s. He was the main character in a 1989 CBBC show with a magic theme called Tricky Business, which also featured Leslie Schofield and the magic of Paul Zenon. Later he became a radio presenter for BBC Radio Sheffield.

His act includes singing, trombone playing, humorous anecdotes and comedy routines involving elaborate stage props and costumes, the most famous being an ostrich called Oswald which he "rides". Clifton plays the trombone, and has performed at the Beijing Olympics and in Las Vegas as a member of the Pukka Pies England Band, supporting major sporting events. Since 2010 Clifton has made occasional television appearances playing himself, such as in the BBC's Love Soup. He guest-starred in the Sooty Christmas Show.

He lives in Barlow, Derbyshire. His interests include flying microlight aircraft.