Review: John Shuttleworth – Huntingdon Hall, Worcester – 19th November 2025
Let’s be honest you can’t make it in show business unless you have what it takes and John Shuttleworth, versatile singer/song writer, has what it takes in coal shovels. With 40 years in the business –a decade more thanOasis – the man has earned the respect of his cult following.
The sardonic cheers which greeted the great man himself were a study in delusion.
You are not quite prepared for the sight of the man as he takes to the stage. His trademark red roll-neck top coupled with his brown, casual but stylish jacket, is as easily as identifiable as Raquel Welch in her deerskin bikini. However, it is not all about just looking the part for the organ tinkling troubadour…
Many of Shuttleworth’s contemporaries may be dismissed as dinosaurs but Shuttleworth is as contemporary as the Dubai chocolates available in B & M. Moreover, the musical pioneer has engineered a career where he is now creaming off petrol money for his gigs (sic). Hits may have proved elusive for this artist, however, under the guidance of his rubbish- agent Ken “typo” Worthington, John Shuttleworth has forged ahead while Men at Work, Howard Jones and Aha have all gone quiet.
Shout out to Mr. Shuttleworth for allowing his fan base access to his family. The charming stories about his wife Mary and children Darren and Karen allow a genuine snapshot into the celebrity’s home life. Anecdotes, such as his wife insisting the entertainer rehearse in the front room in headphone mode show the singer’s drive and commitment. There are no words…
On the night, many clearly relished the lyrical delights of John Shuttleworth. At times his words are as comparable to Brian Bilston’s poetic opuses. “Two margarines on the go, it’s a nightmare scenario,” perhaps a half-rhyme but find a line by Pam Ayres that out shines this couplet?
“Many people say to me, no, no they don’t “… what keeps you attending these events? And I have to say, evening’s like this: the pursuit of the original, the delightful and the eccentric.
We were also lucky enough to be forced to endure an acting masterclass. Without any discernible talent John Shuttleworth taught us how to receive bad news over the phone – “What, he was hit by a bus? What number? – the resulting sketch as funny as children discovering they are ticklish.
Accompanied by his Yamaha organ the artist regaled the Huntingdon Hall with songs from his impressive oeuvre; newer songs such as Pumice stone and Relatives in Rotherham kick-started the evening’s party atmosphere. Furthermore, our soundman was kept busy with demands for varying light “shows,” ensuring the audience were treated to a true visual spectacular. Smells like White Spirit, enhanced by an “aggressive light show” was greeted like a tax rebate. Austin Ambassador Y Reg was welcomed like a supply teacher taking the lesson. Eggs and Gammon fired a singalong that is probably still reverberating around the Hall. The seasoned-pro even incorporated some audience participation. The show’s denouement was the firing of hand-held pyrotechnics that were greeted with sardonic cheers. Innocent. Disarming. Amiable.
The genial comedy character, John Shuttleworth, as imagined by Graham Fellows is clearly in the business of showing comedy does not have to be scornful, sneering or spiteful. As the group leaving the Hall in front of us proved, by singing one of Shuttleworth’s songs just for the innocent pleasure.
By: The Swilgate Scuttler