Tommy’s autobiography. Published October 2025 by Scratching Shed Publishing.
Tommy Cannon was half of one of the most popular comedy duos British television has ever produced. Wheeltappers & Shunters Social Club … Royal Variety Performances … Saturday night light entertainment … end of the pier during many a seaside season… the pair even made a popular feature film. In short, Cannon and Ball were everywhere.
But just who is this unassuming welder from Oldham, real name Tommy Derbyshire, whose life changed on the day he met Bobby Harper? And when you’re the straight man in the partnership, what happens when you lose your beloved best friend to Covid? You question everything: past, present and whether there’s a future.
Here, for the first time, are Tommy’s reminiscences of a tough start in life, the unexpected fame, fortune and loss of all that – and of how hard he found it to grieve for his little mate in the red braces. Five years later and back on the road with a huge social media following, he is now ready to tell his story. Rock on, Tommy!
Available from all book retailers, and direct from the publishers.