John Gorman (born 4 January 1936) is an English comedian, vocalist and comedy musician. He is best known for being a member of the trio The Scaffold with Mike McCartney and Roger McGough, and for being a host on the children's show Tiswas from 1978 to 1981.

Early life and education

Gorman was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, in 1936. After grammar school, Gorman worked as a telecommunications engineer for the GPO and did national service in the Royal Air Force.

Career

Gorman was the founder of the comedy music group The Scaffold, with Mike McGear (now McCartney) and Roger McGough. They best known for their records, 1967 "Thank U Very Much" and their 1968 hit single "Lily the Pink", which was Christmas number one of that year. The Scaffold disbanded in 1974 but all three members would form the successor the band GRIMMS, formed at the suggestion of Gorman. The 'G' in Gorman providing the 'G' in GRUMMS name (Gorman, Roberts, Innes, McGear, McGough, Stanshall).

During the 1970s he made brief film appearances in Frankie Howerd's medieval set farce Up the Chastity Belt (1971), Melody (1971), Terry Gilliam's Jabberwocky (1977), where he is credited as 'second peasant', and The Music Machine (1979) as a newsagent. In the early 1970s, Gorman created his "P.C. Plod" character and from 1972—1973 he released two novelty singles with Island Records. A short film was made starring Gorman as P.C. Plod in 1972 and the character was revived on Tiswas. He also made a comedy musical album for DJM Records, Go Man Gorman in 1977.

He also made appearances on the British children's television show Tiswas between 1977 until the shows end in 1981 (becoming a regular member in 1978). Gorman, with Tiswas presenters Chris Tarrant, Sally James and Bob Carolgees, was one of the Four Bucketeers, a novelty band whose highest-charting single was "Bucket of Water Song", which reached No. 26 in the UK Singles Chart in 1980. The Bucket of Water song was originally a sketch made by Gorman for the show.

After Tiswas stopped broadcasting in 1981, Gorman worked with Chris Tarrant on its adult-oriented successor O.T.T.. He then moved to Tyne Tees, and was a co-host on the children's game show How Dare You! from 1984 to 1987 and later appeared as a guest on another children's show, Razzmatazz in 1986.

After a period living in France, he returned as artistic director for the Theatre on the Steps in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England.

Gorman is involved in many events celebrating visual arts and literary that take place in The Wirral and Liverpool. Throughout the 2020s, the Scaffold have performed on and off again reunion shows, which was suggested by Gorman according to McCartney. On 16 April 2022, Gorman reunited once again with Bob Carolgees, Sally James and Chris Tarrant for a Tiswas reunion show at St George's in Bristol as part of the city's annual Slapstick Festival.

Personal life

Gorman has three children from his first marriage and four grandchildren.

  • 1973: "W.P.C. Hodges / I Remember" — Island Records (released as "P.C. Plod)
  • L. the P. — The Scaffold — Parlophone Records — 1969
  • 1969: The Talk of the Town — himself — one episode