Russ Abbot: The 18-million-viewer era that ended in the Algarve
The 1980s comedy giant reflects on his quiet 2016 exit from the limelight, attributing his retirement to personal life rather than industry bitterness.
Russ Abbot, 78, has spent the last seven years splitting his time between Barbados and the Algarve, a quiet existence that stands in stark contrast to the Saturday night television dominance he enjoyed in the 1980s. In an interview conducted in his Portuguese villa, the comedian reflects on a career that saw him attract up to 18 million viewers with shows such as *The Russ Abbot Show* and *Russ Abbot’s Madhouse*.
During his peak, Abbot worked with relentless intensity, noting that he performed 363 days in 1984 alone. His on-screen persona, which included surreal characters and musical numbers, united audiences across generations. He was joined by collaborators such as Bella Emberg, who died in 2018, and a cast of rising comedians including Les Dennis and Michael Barrymore.
Following his television success, Abbot transitioned into West End musicals, playing roles in *Oliver!* and *My Fair Lady*, before appearing in sitcoms like *Boomers* and *Last of the Summer Wine*. However, in 2016, he stepped away from the public eye, a decision he says was prompted by the retirement of his long-time manager, Mike Hughes, and a desire to cultivate a social life with his wife, Trish.
Abbot dispels circulating rumours that he left the industry out of bitterness towards changing comedy trends. While he acknowledges that the rise of alternative comedy and political correctness in the 1990s marginalised his style of humour, he insists he was not distressed when his television show was cancelled. He viewed the shift as a natural progression, having already established himself in theatre and without the stress of television production.
The comedian’s personal life has been marked by both joy and loss. He speaks fondly of his mother, Elizabeth, who suffered from dementia, and his late collaborator Bella Emberg. His wife, Trish, with whom he has been married for 60 years, has faced her own health challenges, including two strokes in the past year. Despite these events, Abbot maintains that his retirement has been a period of contentment rather than tragedy.
In the Algarve, Abbot and Trish continue to enjoy their time together, often playing golf. While Abbot insists he is not desperately missing the stage, Trish suggests he might return for a role in *Last of the Summer Wine*. For now, however, the former television star is content with the peace of his Portuguese villa, far from the spotlight that once defined his life.
