IF you are passionate about the West Country, then Don’t Tell I, Tell ‘EE, is a show you do not want to miss.

Andy Ford pays tribute to Adge Cutler, the founder of The Wurzels, who passed away in 1974 leaving behind him a legacy of songs about local places.

Andy said: “When Adge died in 1974 in a car crash, a guy who he was working with at the time – Aiden J Harvey was playing in Exeter the night after. I was in the band supporting Aiden and he told us about the death of Adge. I was upset, but we played his songs as a tribute to him.

“It wasn’t until later on in life that I realized that there was this connection.”

Andy has always loved Adge Cutler and The Wurzels, as they were famous when he was younger.

Andy added: “I am originally from Exeter and Adge Cutler and the Wurzels were famous when I was young, around 10-years-old, and I loved him – mainly because he sounded like me.

“My parents got me a banjo when I was about 12 and the first songs I learnt to play were Adge Cutler songs. I started performing at 12 and ended up getting paid for a few gigs.

“Fast forward to 2017 and I was asked to play Adge in a musical in Bristol. He was such a big part of my inspiration and I wanted to go for something different.”

When performing as part of his band and a string broke, Andy used to fill the gaps with comedy. Eventually, this led him to the world of pantomimes.

He explained: “I spent seven years as the star comic at Bristol Hippodrome. I love playing buttons, but I also really enjoyed playing Idle Jack alongside Barbara Windsor in Dick Whittington.

“She specifically had two clauses to fill in her contract and one of them was that I played the comedy character.

“This year I am performing alongside Steve McFadden at The Orchard Theatre in Dartford in the pantomime Peter Pan. I am playing Smee and Steve is playing Captain Hook.

“Steve is very generous, I asked if he minded me having some input in the comedy and he said ‘I will do whatever you tell me to do, I completely trust you’, which was really nice.”

Somerset County Gazette:

Andy has had many incredible stage performances with famous actors throughout his career, but his most memorable stage moment was at The Royal Variety Show, performing for the Queen and Prince Philip.

He added: “My wife was sat in the audience and she said that the Queen was laughing, and Prince Philip was turning around to watch my performance – the Queen even said that I was funny.

“I think what inspires me is actually just a love for what I do, I love performing. Every morning, I wake up a comedian.

“With comedy, you take your own personality and then add 20%. Onstage, people pay for you to make them laugh.”

The show, Don’t Tell I, Tell ‘EE, is coming to Minehead on September 20 and Bridgwater on September 26.

Andy said: “I will talk about Adge’s story and deliver a concert as it would have been done by Adge and The Wurzels. This show has always been a mission of mine.

“Come and have a good old-fashion West Country night out, with good West Country comedy and cider flowing too.

“I love Scrumpy cider. I named my backing group The Scrumpies and we have milk churns and haybales on stage too – come and see the show, it’ll be great!”

To find out more about the show visit regaltheatre.co.uk or mcmillantheatre.com.