Jim Bowen Presenter Of Bullseye Dead Aged 80

By : On : 14 Mar 2018 13:15
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Bullseye presenter and comedian Jim Bowen has died at the age of 80.

The broadcaster and stand-up comedian who was best known presenting the classic darts-based game show Bullseye in the 1980s and 90s,

Bowen’s wife Phyllis confirmed the sad news to BBC Radio Lancashire.

Mr Bowen, who was born in Heswall, Wirrall, but grew up in Clayton-le-Moors in Lancashire, had worked as a deputy headmaster before embarking on a successful career as a stand-up comedian in the 1960s.

He then became a household name when he began presenting Bullseye – a programme he hosted from its beginning in September 1981 until the end of its 14th series in July 1995.

Bowen had a number of famous catchphrases, including: ‘Keep out of the black and in to the red, nothing in this game for two in a bed.’

And ‘Super, smashing, great’, ‘You can’t beat a bit of Bully’, and ‘Let’s look at what you could have won’.

As well as a stand-up career and Bullseye, Bowen worked as a presenter on the radio, and also guest starred in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, as well as BBC’s Jonathan Creek, and Last Of The Summer Wine.

Tributes to the ‘super, smashing, great’ guy have been paid on social media, among those was one from boxer Frank Bruno, who wrote:

Jim Bowen RIP great comic we worked together many times had a lot of laughs together. Jim & Ken Dodd sad time for the entertainment industry.

In February 2011 Bowen suffered two mild strokes but recovered in hospital. He sadly suffered a third stroke in November 2014, which reportedly left him struggling to walk and talk.

Rest in peace.