2012 page of The Official Bachelors Website for Con and Dec The Bachelors giving a history of The Original Bachelors, The New Bachelors and the continuity of Con RIP & Dec Cluskey the Original Members of The Bachelors

2012

The Bachelors History 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 It Becomes a Blur! 1984 1985 1986 1993 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

PLEASE BE PATIENT - THERE ARE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF VIDEOS TO LOAD UP,
SO MAY TAKE LONGER THAN NORMAL ... WORTH THE MINUTE'S WAIT?

Celebrating 50 Years in Showbusiness

Con with Comedian Billy Pearce
and his wife Kerry who are both
appearing in 'Robin Hood' at
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford.

Dec presents a Training Session for
Toastmasters International at Southwick.

Dec saw in the New Year with his
Granddaughter Isabelle.

Frank with Dec recently.
Preparing for Philip Solomon's funeral service.

FRANK CARSON

6 November 1926 – 22 February 2012

It is with great sadness that we announce
the passing of our great friend Frank Carson.
We first worked with Frank at The Theatre Royal
in Dublin in 1959 when he did a
'Double Act' with Billy Livingstone.
In later years we spent many happy years touring together
and we and our families became great friends.
Throughout his life Frank raised lots of money for charity
and was recognised by the Roman Catholic Church when he
was awarded a Papal Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory
by Pope John Paul 11.
We will remember him as one of the nicest people
in Showbiz, as a Brother Water Rat,
a gentleman and a pal.
Rest in Peace my friend

Con & Dec lost another friend in Hal Roach, the Comedian, who toured with them back in the 60's and 70's.
Hal is in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest-running engagement of a comedian
at the same venue: 26 years at Jury's Irish Cabaret, Jury's Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin.
Hal was an old friend from their days learning their craft in Dublin. He also helped
to raise a lot of money to help autistic children.
A well loved and sorely missed friend.

Rest in peace friend

Con, Dec and Victoria with Entertainments
Manager Ben Johnson after a
hugely successful show at Coghurst Hall
in Hastings.

Dec on Radio Essex with Eric Hall

Con was interviewed on Radio York
by Stuart Atkins, who was The Bachelors
Musical Director for many years,
and Sandy Dunleavey.
They spoke about the many large orchestras
that played with The Bachelors
and the fact that many of today's artists
will never have the pleasure
of singing with live musicians

Dec Conducts a Seminar for Toastmasters
showing
How we help The Prince's Trust.

Con met up with with friends Ricky Tomlinson
and Jimmy Cricket at The Green Room in Liverpool

Craig, the Entertainments Manager
at The Burstin Hotel in Folkestone
tried his hand at playing the
keyboard with Con & Dec helping out.

Con Dec & Victoria stopped off
at The Waterfront Hotel in Eastbourne
for a glass of Champaign on their way
to Mill Rhythe Holiday Village
in Hayling Island where
they did a fantastic show.

Alex Hill who plays with Con & Dec,
checking his Drum Kit before the show
at The Broadway, Barking.

Dec, Shel McRae from The Fortunes,
and Con rehearse onstage at The Broadway
in Barking. They played to a packed audience
who sang and clapped along to the many hits
of these legends from the 60's.

It is with great sadness we say farewell
to our great friend Dr. Jim Marshall OBE
who died on Thursday 5th April 2012 at 8.15am.
Jim was loved and worshipped throughout
the music industry as the man who invented 'LOUD'
by creating Marshall Amplifiers,
which are used by every major Rock Star
in the world and also by Con & Dec.
We shall miss you Jim.....
Rest In Peace

We lost another friend,
Guitarist Bert Weedon,
famous for his 'Play in a Day' books.
Another Brother Water Rat
who will be sadly missed.
Rest in Peace Bert.

Con & Dec with Entertainers Russ and Kay
after a fantastic show at Seacroft Holiday Village
in Hemsby.
Another success for Con & Dec The Bachelors.

Con played Golf at Club Real Golf de Pedrena
in Spain where Seve Ballesteros learned to play his Golf.
This statue of Seve is at the back
of the 18th Green and dominates the landscape.

Con met up with one of the local Policemen
outside his Paradore Hotel in Santillana del Mar,
Spain. Also in the picture is Lorna Roberts
who organised the holiday.

Con went to pay tribute to Dr. Jim Marshall OBE
at a special function held in his honour.

Dec Joined up with Water Rats Johnny Mans,
Nico McBrain, Jess Conrad
andChas McDevitt at Dr. Jim Marshalls Tribute.

Victoria Cluskey,Roger De Courcey
and Chas from Chas and Dave
having dinner at Dr. Jim Marshalls Tribute.

Water Rat Con is made a 'Trap Guard'
at The Grand Order of Water Rats by King Rat
Joe Pasquali.

Con gets a startled look from legendary,
funny man, Bud Flanagan who was also a
Brother Water Rat

Con with Jimmy Perry (Writer of 'Dads Army' and Lots more),
Prince Rat Jess Conrad OBE, Comic Joe Goodwin
who painted the Water Rats Sign outside the Lodge Building,
and King Rat Joe Pasquale.

Con with Robin Collvill of The Grumbleweeds
in his studio where he was filming a Video
for 'Little and Often'

Con's Son Phillip with his Girl Friend Roni
filming with Robin Collvill
for their video 'Little and Often'

Con and Dec put on a special surprise show
for Jack Summerfield's birthday at The Manor Hotel
in Mundesley, Norfolk. Jack who is a great 'Bachelors Fan'
was presented with a copy of The New Musical Express
with a picture of the Bachelors
on the front cover.

Con went to visit his friend Robin Cambell
from UB40 with 'Little and Often',
Con's son Phillip and girl friend Roni

Dec meets Prince Philip again!

Megan and Derek relax in Dec’s home,
Stanton Prior

DEC SAYS:
“Not exactly a long lost cousin,
but a cousin Con & Dec have not seen for 32 years ... quite amazing ....
Derek is our sister Brenda’s son and has carved
himself a career in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
just like Brenda and her husband, Freddie,
did all those years ago in Malaya.
He came over to take his daughter Megan
on a road trip to meet the Cluskey side
of the family ... next week he goes to see
the Duggan side in Ireland before taking a break
at his house in the South of France.
Of course he loves all things Bachelors ...
and I even recorded Megan and himself in my studio
... he was thrilled. He is quite a guitar player
with his own band in the Emirates.
They were fascinated to meet the Southern Cluskeys
and Megan took a great shine to Layla ... they were inseparable
.... even when we walked along the cliff at Beachy Head ...
not me ... I was terrified .... DEC”

Megan and Derek have a 'Jam Session'
with Con's son Phillip at Con's home

Con brought Megan on a sight seeing tour
of Halifax and showed her the Halifax Gibbet

Con's wife Kay, Megan, Derek and Con
enjoy afternoon tea in the grounds
of Con's home, at New Hall.

A night when cousins met in Elland.
Con's sons Michael Phillip and Greg enjoy
a drink with their cousin Derek Duggan.

“Dec and his team at Eastbourne ...
Tony, Wendy, Dorothy, Dilys,
Eliza, James, Dec”

“Her first speech ever .... Luanne .... nerve wracking”

Prince’s Trust

Dec, in his role as Area Governor
of Toastmasters International [the largest speaking organisation in the world],
has devised a workshop programme for Princes Trust.
The Bachelors have always known how to talk
but being so involved with Toastmasters has brought
their ‘speaking’ to a new level.
During each twelve week stint with the Trust,
he conducts two workshops with the Princes Trust students
to prepare them to deliver a two/three minute
speech on their last night,
their Presentation night, in front of,
usually, around 200 friends and family.
In the past months he has conducted the workshops
in Hastings, Brighton, Shoreham and Eastbourne with huge success.
So much so that he is being asked to roll out the scheme throughout the country.
Speaking ability = employability ....
a fascinating idea, but does Dec have the time?

“Dec at work - in full flow .... quality stuff!”

Awarding a well deserved certificate
.... well done Ashley”

Con & Dec presented Doe Haddon with a bouquet
of flowers for her 60th birthday at
The Old Oscott Club in Birmingham.

Con & Dec with some of their Fan Club members
celebrating Doe Haddon's 60th Birthday at
The Old Oscott Club in Birmingham.
They were also celebrating Con & Dec's 50 years in showbiz,
and the fans presented them with mementos of the occasion.

One fan, Margie, flew all the way from Milwaukee, USA
to be with them on the day!!

Con & Dec sing 'Happy Birthday to Doe'

Con & Dec teamed up with Craig Douglas
for a series of concerts
resulting in Standing Ovations.

Appearing for one night only at The Cresset Theatre
in Peterborough, Con & Dec with Jess Conrad OBE,
He's the one in the suit!! He says his teeth are real
but the rest of him is false!!
He still left the audience to a Standing Ovation!!
Jess is currently Prince Rat with
The Grand Order of Water Rats.

Bill Gautier with Con & Phillip Cluskey
stand under the Charles 11 crest
in Con's Home at New Hall
after the recording session with
Strange Bright Lights. Bill was amazed
at the sound they got there!

Con & Bill Gautier in New Hall Recording Studio
checking out the sounds
made by Strange Bright Light

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Con spent a pleasant afternoon
on Radio Derby speaking to Andy Potter
about his amazing career a
nd the many people he has met
over his 50 years in Showbiz.
Later in the evening Con & Dec appeared at Allenton Royal British Legion Club
where they were filmed as part of a
documentary about their longevity in 'The Business'.

Dec spent over an hour on Uckfield FM
talking about his 50 year career with
ex Radio Caroline DJ Jim Richman.
Obviously they had a great time as Dec
told Jim of The Bachelors plans
for the future with so many new projects
in the pipeline.

Con with Elland 41 Club President David
after he gave a speech about his 50 years
in Showbiz. The meeting was held
at Elland Golf Club and was well attended.
Not only did Con speak well about his career,
but he also answered many questions
thrown at him from those attending.

Con & Dec with Dec's Daughter Victoria
wow the audience at Hoburn Naish
as they sing 'No Arms Can Ever Hold You', one of their many
hits from the 60's

Click Photo to join Dec on Facebook!

Con met up with old friend
Lorraine Chase at The Water Rats Ball
at Lakeside.

Dec & Con met up with another old friend
and skiffler Chas McDevitt
at The Water Rats Ball

Con & Dec at The Water Rats Ball held at Lakeside. With them are members of Dec's Family. Emma, Olivers wife, Victoria (Maybe Gaga) Con, Little Roni Hart and Dec.

Con with old friend Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart
and a Lady Fan had a fantastic time
at the Water Rats Ball.
Another fantastic night and this time
the drinks didn't cost a fortune!!

Con sings a song with Santa
at his Rotary Club Christmas Lunch
at Fixby Golf Club

Con did his bit for charity by dressing
up as Santa and manning the Elland Rotary Sleigh.
This years appeal was for Overgate Hospice
in Elland, the village where Con lives.

Con & Dec's Coat of Arms

The Original Cluskey Coat of Arms.

Celebrating 50 Years in Showbusiness