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Look up catchphrase in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

A catchphrase (or catch-phrase) is a phrase or expression recognized by its repeated utterance. Such phrases often originate in popular culture and in the arts, and typically spread through a variety of mass media (such as literature and publishing, motion pictures, television and radio), as well as word of mouth. Some become the de facto "trademark" or "signature" of the person or character with whom they originated, and can be instrumental in the typecasting (beneficially or otherwise) of a particular actor.

According to Richard Harris, a psychology professor at Kansas State University who studied why people like to cite films in social situations, using film quotes in everyday conversation is similar to telling a joke and a way to form solidarity with others. "People are doing it to feel good about themselves, to make others laugh, to make themselves laugh", he said. He found that all of the participants in his study had used film quotes in conversation at one point or another. "They overwhelmingly cited comedies, followed distantly by dramas and action adventure flicks." Horror films, musicals and children's films were hardly ever cited.^[1]

See also[link]

• List of catchphrases
• List of political catchphrases
• Catchphrase (UK game show)
• Cliché
• Meme
• Set phrase
• Slogan
• Snowclone

References[link]

• Turner, Chris (2004). Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation. Toronto: Random House Canada. ISBN 0-679-31318-4. 

Further reading[link]

• Partridge, Eric (1894–1979) ed. Beale. A Dictionary of Catch Phrases, American and British, from the sixteenth century to the present day (enlarged trade paperback edition) Lanham, Maryland: Scarborough House, 1992. ISBN 0-8128-8536-8. E-book ISBN 0-203-37995-0
• Rees, Nigel (2001), Oops, Pardon, Mrs Arden! An Embarrassment of Domestic Catchphrases, London: Robson Books, ISBN 1-86105-440-8, http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=mM_kFQdh83oC&printsec=frontcover&dq=pardon+mrs+arden#v=onepage&q&f=false 

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Robert "Roy" Walker (born 31 July 1940) is a television personality and comedian from Northern Ireland, who worked for many years as both a television presenter and comedy actor. He is best known as the original host of the game show Catchphrase between 1986 and 1999, and one of the stars of The Comedians. Catchphase is currently (April 2012)a popular repeated series on cable television.

Early life[link]

Born in Belfast, as a teenager Walker performed in the Francis Longford Choir, then worked as a riveter in the Harland and Wolff shipyard. He was the Northern Ireland champion hammer thrower for two years, and represented his country internationally.^[1] He spent a short time as a comedy partner of James Young^{[citation needed]} before spending seven years in the British Army.^{[2][dead link]}

Walker, who first went to work at the age of twelve, "to bring a few extra pennies into the house", ran a fruit shop whilst working in the evenings as the compère at the Talk of the Town club during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. One day he was confronted by two men who stuck a Browning pistol in his face and demanded to know: "Are you married to a Fenian?" Walker later recalled, "Protestants and Catholics drank together in the Talk of the Town – integration happened in front of my eyes every night. As a Protestant myself, I had lots of Catholic friends – the Army had been full of them. Bob Hope said you should never admit to anything and that day I didn't. But then I was told: 'We're giving everyone 24 hours – that's you and them Fenian lovers across the street.' I got one of the cards I'd used for the apple prices and on the back I wrote: 'The owner of this shop served Queen and country for six years'. I stuck it in the window, closed up and walked down the Woodstock Road for the last time."^[3]

The shop was then firebombed and Walker fled with his family to England where he toured as a professional comedian, in working men's clubs and cabaret.^[1][3]

""I'd been 'Mr Belfast' but in Sunderland I had to wait by the phone at nine o'clock hoping that some other poor comic had been paid off after his first act. That seven quid got me my digs."

—Walker talking about his move to England^[3]

Career[link]

Walker came to fame in 1977 when he won the ITV talent show New Faces, receiving the highest mark ever given to a comedian.^[1] He was also a regular on the 1970s ITV stand-up comedy show The Comedians.^[4] He appeared on the BBC show Seaside Special on 15 July 1978.^[5] Also in 1978 he appeared in two episodes of Blackpool Bonanza.^[6] In 1984 he appeared in an episode of the comedy series The Main Attraction.^[6]

Walker is most famous for the game show Catchphrase, which he co-hosted with his computer character friend that he created, Mr Chips, from 1986 to 1999. Walker coined his own catchphrases for the show: "Say what you see", and "It's good, but it's not right".^[3] On 12 June 1994, he appeared on Surprise, Surprise.^[7] Other television appearances in the 1990s included You Bet!, Gagtat, Light Lunch, Wipeout (celebrity special) and TV Nightmares.^[6]

Walker appeared as himself in the first episode of Phoenix Nights on 14 January 2001. In 2002, he took part in the comedy game show "It's Only TV... But I Like It" and also appeared on Harry Hill's TV Burp.^[6]

In 2004, he appeared in the third series of the reality television series I'm Famous and Frightened! on Living. In 2005, Walker appeared as Monsignor in the romantic drama film The Jealous God, which was released on 9 September. On 4 March 2006, he was the Northern Ireland Regional Presenter in the UK's Eurovision Song Contest selection show Making Your Mind Up. On 12 August 2006, he appeared in an episode entitled The Comics of the documentary The Story of Light Entertainment. And on 14 October, he appeared on Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.^[6] He appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show in 2006 with Frank Carson as mystery guests, they were in disguise in the audience.^{[citation needed]}

On 19 February 2007, he was a guest on the Irish chat show, The Podge and Rodge Show on RTÉ. And on 30 November, he was a guest on the day time chat show Loose Women.

In 2008, Walker was a guest on The Alan Titchmarsh Show. He presented a six-part comedy series for BBC Radio Ulster, The Way We Tell 'Em, as well as appearing on Ready Steady Cook on 5 June 2008. On 10 June, Walker appeared on Big Brother's Big Mouth as a secret special guest. Walker is a noted after dinner speaker and in June 2008 spoke and presented awards at the AIS^{[clarification needed]} Presidents Launch at the Dorchester Hotel in London. In 2008, he performed at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in his own one hour show entitled Goodbye Mr Chips debuting on 31 July, his 68th birthday.^[3] He was also team captain on the first series of the BBC Radio 4 panel game Act Your Age.

Walker has appeared (in pre-recorded audiobite form) on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1, in features called "Car Park Catchphrase" and "Beep Beep Busters", a spoof of the game show Catchphrase.

Walker starred in the Churchill Insurance adverts, alongside model Megan Hall, seen at an Indian restaurant with the Churchill Dog in 2009. On 26 May 2009, he appeared on the Britain's Got Talent show Britain's Got More Talent. Also in 2009, he appeared in a celebrity edition of the reality cookery show Come Dine With Me, which aired on 1 November - in which he came first. The other contestants were Most Haunted presenter Yvette Fielding, Natasha Hamilton of pop group Atomic Kitten, and former Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones.

It was announced in April 2012 that Walker is set to host the Big Comedy Gala in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Also during April 2012, Walker became the face of SafeNet at a security exhibition.

Personal life[link]

Walker currently lives in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. He has three children with his now deceased wife Jean, who died of cancer in 1989.^[3] He was admitted to Clifton Hospital in early October 2011 following a suspected mini-stroke. Walker was discharged in good health the following day.

Cultural references[link]

A track on Belle & Sebastian's 2003 album Dear Catastrophe Waitress is named after Walker.^[8]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Roy Walker at the Internet Movie Database

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (July 2010)

Stephen Mulhern
Stephen Mulhern at the 2008 BAFTA Television Awards
Born	Stephen Daniel Mulhern (1977-04-04) 4 April 1977 (age 35) Minehead, Somerset, England
Occupation	Television presenter, Entertainer, Magician
Website
www.officialstephenmulhern.com

Stephen Daniel Mulhern (born 4 April 1977)^[1] is a British TV presenter, entertainer, and former magician. He began presenting in the studio on CITV in May 1998 and became a leading presenter until he left in August 2002. He has presented a number of shows, including SMTV Live, Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown and Globo Loco. Mulhern hosts Britain's Got More Talent on ITV2.^[2]

Early life[link]

Stephen Mulhern is the third of four children of Maureen (née Reid) and Christopher Mulhern. He has two older brothers and a younger sister.

Magic[link]

Mulhern attended St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School in Forest Gate, Newham; he began entertaining from a very young age and became interested in comedy and magic from his father, who would teach him a trick before bedtime when he was 13 years old. He was a member of The Magic Circle and became a successful TV magician.^{[citation needed]} Magic credits have included The Quick Trick Show and more recently Tricky TV. He has released a number of children's magic sets and videos and has toured the UK with his show, Stephen's Mega Mad Magic Show. The show proved popular attracting large audiences. He has taken part in the Royal Variety Performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre with the Queen in attendance.^{[citation needed]}

In 2005 Stephen created and presented the Channel 4 magic show Freaky and was credited as executive producer. In 2006 he performed a magic routine in an episode of The Slammer, he came in second place; to the dance group "Flawless". "Flawless" went on to perform on Britain's Got Talent, which he presents the spin-off show for (Britain's Got More Talent). His latest show, ITV1's Magic Numbers featured magic and illusions during the phone-in process.^{[citation needed]}

Unlike many professional magicians, Mulhern does not work with a regular assistant for his illusion performances. Instead, he prefers to work with a range of guest celebrity assistants. Most notable of these is his former Saturday Showdown co-host Holly Willoughby, who has assisted him on many occasions in a variety of illusions including being sawed in half.^[3]

Stage career[link]

Mulhern starred in the stage version of Grease as Danny Zuko. In 2005 he appeared on Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes as Robbie Williams.^{[4][not in citation given]}

Mulhern has a regular slot at Butlins Minehead, where he once was a Redcoat, during the summer season with a show of comedy, magic and gunge.^{[5][dead link]}. Mulhern notably performed on the Royal Variety Performance in 1997 whilst still working as a Redcoat.

In Christmas 2002 he appeared in pantomime at the Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon.^[6]

In 2005 he was back at Croydon with Danny La Rue and performed in Mother Goose in Bromley for the 2006/07 panto season.^{[citation needed]}

He starred in Aladdin at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, playing the leading role of Aladdin, however on dates when he was not able to play the role, due to television commitments, director and writer Paul Hendy stood in to take the role.^{[7][not in citation given]} He appeared again at the Marlowe playing Muddles in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which starred former EastEnders actress Emma Barton (19 November until 18 January).

In 2009, he presented the Britain's Got Talent Live Tour after a successful series of 'Britain's Got More Talent'. At the end of the year he performed in a new musical pantomime, 'Santa Claus and the Return of Jack Frost' at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton playing the Chief of Elves.^[8] He can play the violin and piano.

In July 2010, he presented Magic Numbers, in which viewers, whose landline or mobile phone numbers contain two of the digits generated from a variety of six game shows and stunts, have the chance to win £250,000. The show was broadcast in the UK on ITV1 at 8.00pm on Saturdays and was recorded in the London Studios.

From December 2011 to January 2012, he is playing Buttons in the pantomime 'Cinderella' at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury which stars EastEnders actor John Partridge who plays Christian Clarke as Prince Charming.

Personal life[link]

He studied piano and violin, achieving grade seven on both. His idol reportedly is DJ and presenter Chris Evans, who was his inspiration as a child. In July 2010, it was reported in the press that he was dating his former pantomime co-star, Emma Barton.^[9]

Television credits[link]

Mulhern's television credits consist mainly of entertainment shows:

• CITV (main presenter, May 1998 - August 2002)
• All Star Impression Show (December 2009)
• Animals Do the Funniest Things
• Brilliant Creatures
• Britain Does the Funniest Things (2009)
• Britain's Got More Talent (2007–present)
• Celebrities Under Pressure (Episode #3.4)
• Dancing on Ice: Defrosted (2006, 2007)
• Family Fortunes (2007)
• Finger Tips (2000–2004)
• Freaky TV
• Globo Loco (2003–2004)
• Harry Potter at the Castle: Magic at Midnight
• Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown (previously known as Ministry of Mayhem) from 10 January 2004 - 1 July 2006)
• Kids Do The Funniest Things (2008)
• The National Music Awards
• The Quick Trick Show (1999–2004, predecessor to Tricky TV)
• The Record of the Year (2004)
• Timmy Towers (1997) as Merlin
• The Slammer (guest appearance, 2006)
• SMTV Live, SMTV Gold (August - December 2003)
• Stars in Their Eyes
• Anonymous (2009)
• Tricky Quickies
• Tricky TV (2005–2006, successor to The Quick Trick Show)
• You Can Do Magic (2003)
• Daily Cooks Challenge (Guest Star) (2010)
• The 5 O'Clock Show (Guest Presenter) (2010)
• Magic Numbers (July/August 2010)
• Celebrity Juice (September 2010)
• Coronation Street Uncovered Live (Presenter) (December 2010)
• Britain's Got Talent Live Tour (Presenter) (2008-2009, 2011-present)
• Born To Shine (Judge) (August 2011)
• This Morning's Hub (Presenter) (2011-Present)
• The Big Quiz (Presenter) (2011-Present)
• The Big Sports Quiz (Presenter) (2012)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Stephen Mulhern's Official Website
• Stephen Mulhern at the Internet Movie Database

v t e Britain's Got Talent Got Talent Series 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 Presenters Ant & Dec · Stephen Mulhern Judges Current Simon Cowell · Amanda Holden · Alesha Dixon · David Walliams Former Kelly Brook · Piers Morgan · Michael McIntyre · David Hasselhoff Guest Louis Walsh · Carmen Electra Winners Paul Potts · George Sampson · Diversity · Spelbound · Jai McDowall · Ashleigh and Pudsey Other notable contestants Series 1 Bessie Cursons · Connie Talbot · Damon Scott · Bar Wizards · Jake Pratt Series 2 Signature · Andrew Johnston · Escala · Faryl Smith · Kate and Gin · Charlie Green · Charlie Wernham Series 3 Susan Boyle · Julian Smith · Aidan Davis · Hollie Steel · Shaheen Jafargholi · Callum Francis · DJ Talent · Flawless · John Farnworth Series 4 Twist and Pulse · Paul Burling · ReConnected · Myles and Connor · Kev Orkian · Stevie Starr · The Cheeky Girls · Matthew Ahmet Series 5 Ronan Parke · Out of the Blue Series 6 Jonathan and Charlotte · Only Boys Aloud · The Loveable Rogues · Ryan O'Shaughnessy  · Molly Rainford · The Zimmers Related articles List of episodes · Discography · SYCOtv · FremantleMedia · talkbackTHAMES · Thames · ITV Category