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Stanmore pensioner promotes puppet power
By Ian Proctor
Entertainer Johnny Franks is hoping to land a TV series at the age of 82 after making a puppet show spoof of The X Factor.
He has composed a tongue-in-cheek take off of the hit reality programme using specially-made 14in marionettes of celebrities such as Beehive Amy (Amy Winehouse) and Simon Growl (Simon Cowell).
Mr Franks, of Heronslea Drive, Stanmore, wrote, filmed and performed a five minute pilot, called The Extractor, at Grimsdyke Hotel and uploaded the clip to popular video sharing website YouTube.
In just three weeks, 260 people have viewed the footage and Mr Franks hopes a TV production company will tune in and sign him up.
Mr Franks said: "I want a new career so people can see I'm not under a stone and I've got the whole world on a string.
"People on the computers can enjoy a giggle when they watch the past and present singers dance and perform.
"I was inspired by The X Factor and it's a terrific story and very funny."
He envisages that each week he would have a different look-a-like of a famous person - the pilot features a double for Sharon Osbourne - helping him perform the comedy musical sketch.
The octaganarian audience-pleaser pitched the idea to ITV, which airs The X Factor, and said an executive wrote back urging him to develop the idea. Hence he created the self-funded internet teaser in July.
Mr Franks, who retired from showbusiness aged 68 and lives with his wife of 57 years, Nanette, has raised more than £70,000 for charity since joining the Entertainment National Service Association in 1939.
He has performed with stars Telly Sevalas, Jerry Lewis and Dionne Warwick and once released a sing-a-long CD of songs for the over-50s with proceeds going to good causes.
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