Russell's academic journey was marked by a unique blend of ambition and setback. As a student, he harbored dreams of becoming a pop star drummer, with a particular affinity for the Beatles and the Merseybeat era. Despite his aptitude for school lessons, Russ's academic performance was not without its challenges, and he failed his 'O' levels, a development that led his father to confiscate his drums, only to return them once Russ had successfully retaken his exams.
Russ's mother, however, proved to be a game-changer, possessing a spare key to the lock that had been placed on his beloved drums. This act of maternal kindness allowed Russ to continue pursuing his passion for music, and he soon formed a group called The Black Abbots in his hometown of Chester. The group's popularity grew rapidly, and Russ found himself performing on stage, where he caught the eye of the woman who would eventually become his wife.
The Black Abbots' success led to a recording contract, but the group eventually disbanded in 1980. Russ went on to form a new group, The New Black Abbotts, before launching a successful solo career as a comedian. He won the coveted title of 'The Funniest Man on Television' three years running, as voted by the readers of TV Times.
In a surprise twist, Russ's foray into music resulted in the release of a record, 'Atmosphere', which reached the Top 10 and earned him a Silver Disc. Russ is a devoted father to four children: Gary, the eldest, who went on to form his own band, Alternative Colours; Richard; Christopher; and Erica.
