The “British emu guy” refers to Rod Hull, a British entertainer best known for appearing on television with his emu puppet named Emu. Hull gained fame in the 1970s and 1980s for his hijinks with the mischievous Emu, who would often attack and harass celebrity guests during interviews. Their cheeky antics made them both household names in Britain at the time.
Early Life
Rod Hull was born on 13 August 1935 in Isleworth, Middlesex, England. From a young age, he had a deep interest in ventriloquism and honed his skills during his time as a Redcoat at Butlins holiday camps in the 1950s. It was at Butlins that Rod first starting using an emu puppet in his comedy act. The emu proved popular with holidaymakers and eventually became Rod’s sidekick and trademark.
In the 1960s, Rod landed spots on TV shows like The Dickie Henderson Half Hour and Workers’ Playtime. However, mainstream success still eluded him. Rod’s big break would come in the 1970s when he and Emu became regulars on various ITV programs.
Rise to Fame
Rod Hull shot to national prominence in the mid-1970s thanks to regular appearances on the children’s series Emu’s Broadcasting Company. The show featured a mix of entertainment, competitions, and educational segments aimed at kids. Viewers were delighted by Emu’s silly behavior and his humorous interactions with Rod.
The Emu puppet was operated entirely by Rod himself. He would always keep his right arm hidden from view inside Emu’s beak and neck to allow smooth and lifelike movement. Rod provided Emu’s obnoxious squawking voice and would often pretend to lose control as Emu attacked unsuspecting celebs. Their chaotic double act proved a huge hit with young audiences.
Peak Popularity
Building on their success, Rod and Emu were given their own Saturday evening variety show in 1977 titled Emu’s All Live Pink Windmill Show. It ran for a number of seasons and saw them engage in more mischief with stars like Elton John, Cliff Richard, and Shirley Bassey.
Rod’s career reached new heights in the 1980s. Emu became known for ambushing news reporters live on air, tearing off their glasses and generally causing mayhem. Their notoriety led to appearances on primetime shows like Parkinson, Saturday Night at the Palladium, and Wogan.
Memorable TV Moments
Some of Rod and Emu’s most memorable TV moments include:
- Harassing political interviewer Robin Day live on air, knocking off his glasses
- Attacking weatherman Michael Fish during a forecast, ruining the map with crayons
- Interrupting a serious discussion on the BBC’s Nationwide by squawking loudly
- Joining Roy Castle on Record Breakers and wreaking havoc during attempts to break world records
- Appearing on the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show and squabbling with Eric Morecambe
Rod also provided the voices for animated series like Emu’s World and Emu’s All Live Pink Windmill Show. The misbehavior continued with Emu tackling John Noakes on Blue Peter and disrupting the reports of newsreader Peter Woods.
Later Career
While Rod Hull and Emu remained hugely popular into the late 1980s, Rod became tired of being defined solely by the emu puppet. He started taking on some non-emu related roles and made several attempts to revamp his act over the years. However, audiences still craved the original Rod and Emu double act.
Rod made his final pantomime appearance with Emu in 1990 before retiring his famous sidekick. He continued performing family entertainment shows on cruise ships and at resorts. Rod also did corporate work as an entertainer, master of ceremonies and motivational speaker.
In 1999, Rod Hull made an unexpected return to our TV screens along with Emu on an ITV special titled Emu: The Party Starts Right Here, Right Now. Viewers were treated to more tongue-in-cheek anarchy as Emu interacted with stars like Davina McCall and Lorraine Kelly. The revival proved Rod and Emu still had that colorful chemistry audiences loved.
Death
In March 1999, only weeks after filming the comeback special, Rod Hull suffered a tragic and bizarre accident at his home in Suffolk. While fixing the TV antenna on his roof, he lost his footing and fell off. Rod tragically died at the age of 63 from his injuries.
His death made headlines as it ironically mirrored some of his most famous Emu sketches over the years. However, Rod left behind an enduring comedy legacy thanks to his work with his unruly Emu puppet. At the height of their fame, it was estimated that Emu generated 80% of the UK’s total puppet revenue such was his popularity and appeal.
Legacy
To this day, Rod Hull and Emu remain one of the most memorable and iconic double acts in British comedy history. Their madcap antics and rebellious chemistry entertained generations of children. Rod’s masterful puppeteering skills gave Emu a lifelike quality audiences adored.
While some found Emu’s behavior too anarchic, most saw Rod and Emu’s TV takeovers as harmless fun that livened up stuffy interviews. The lovable rogue Emu became a mascot for mischief and cheekiness. Clips of their unpredictable hijinks are still widely shared online years later.
Rod Hull always gave credit to his trusty feathered friend for his success. Thanks to Emu’s popularity, Rod became a millionaire and one of Britain’s highest-earning entertainers during the peak years. Not bad for a lad from the south London suburbs who found fame with a naughty puppet emu.
Emu Puppets Over the Years
Rod Hull actually used several Emu puppets over the course of his career. Here’s some background on the different versions of Emu:
Emu Mk 1
The original Emu puppet was handmade by Rod himself in the 1960s using paper mache. Rod gifted this first Emu to his friend Ronnie Le Drew who helped inspire the character.
Emu Mk 2
Rod had a more durable Emu made in the late 1960s by a Southend puppet maker. This blue Emu puppet featured in Rod’s early TV appearances.
Emu Mk 3
In the mid-1970s, Rod had a new Emu built with a wide beak that could open and close. This enabled it to ‘attack’ people by biting their glasses or clothes.
Emu Mk 4
As Emu’s fame grew, Rod asked UK puppet makers Peter and Anne Brooke to create a high quality and detailed version in 1976. This became the definitive Emu.
Emu Mk 5
For overseas tours in the 1980s, Rod used a back-up puppet made by the Brookes to avoid damage or customs issues.
Emu Mk 6
Rod had a lighter foam Emu made for appearances towards the end of his career. This was easier on his arm during long stints.
10 Facts About Emu
Here are some interesting facts about Rod Hull’s mischievous sidekick:
1. | Emu was partly inspired by a friend’s pet emu that chased Rod at a party. |
2. | The Emu puppet was 5 feet tall and Rod’s arm fit snugly right up inside his neck. |
3. | At the height of his fame, Emu received over 50,000 fan letters a year. |
4. | Emu made cheeky solo appearances on shows when Rod wasn’t able to be there. |
5. | A special ‘tongue-in-cheek’ camera allowed tight close-ups of Emu while Rod was hidden. |
6. | Emu once stood in for Rod to present the Miss Anglia beauty contest. |
7. | As a puppet, Emu earned a spot in the Guinness Book of Records for ‘Most Successful Bird’. |
8. | An Emu puppet appeared in a public safety film warning children about the dangers of playing on railways. |
9. | Emu puppets sold in stores came with warning labels advising buyers not to stick their hands inside. |
10. | In the late 80s, Emu starred in promotional campaigns for National Egg Week. |
Conclusion
Rod Hull and Emu left an indelible mark on the world of British light entertainment during the 1970s and 80s. At the height of Emu-mania, the cheeky green puppet was a cultural icon and national treasure. While Rod tried to move on from Emu’s shadow later in life, the two will always be linked together in the public consciousness. Their madcap antics and rebellious chemistry provided laughter and escapism to millions of viewers. Thanks to Rod’s brilliant gift for puppetry and comic timing, Emu came alive on screen and got away with behavior that would never be allowed today. The lovable rogue emu remains one of the most memorable creations in the history of children’s television.