The news that a prank call by Rory Bremner helped quell a rebellion against John Major highlights the wicked power of a great impersonator Ben Lawrence 31 December 2020 • 6:00am He said: "You think you're being satirical but the reality is even more farcical. Bremner’s impression was so convincing, Body rallied around under-fire Major Impressionist Rory Bremner has revealed how a telephone offer to dance with key Tory rebel Sir Richard Body, while pretending to be John Major, was crucial in keeping the prime minister in number 10. Australian jailed for filming dying police officers, Spears asks to address court over conservatorship, Samsung heirs to pay record inheritance tax, Biden to pitch child care and free university plan, Why India's Covid crisis matters to the whole world. How @rorybremner 's impressions of ex-PM John Major proved so realistic he inadvertently thwarted a revolt of Tory MPs against him – as revealed in the National Archives today #r4Today. Bremner, who made the calls in September 1993 for his new Channel 4 show, has since said he had no idea he had helped to thwart a rebellion 27 years ago. Rory Bremner might consider instead that it was when a hoax call he made to Eurosceptic Tory MPs helped to stave off a backbench rebellion against John Major. He told him that in his view and that of the PM the calls had "crossed the boundary between entertainment and real life to an unacceptable degree". Bremner was born in Edinburgh, the son of Major Donald Stuart Ogilvy Bremner (1907–1979) and his second wife Ann Simpson (1922–2001). Sir Richard rang fellow Eurosceptic John Carlisle who said he had received a similar call. Read about our approach to external linking. Rory Bremner hoax call helped John Major hold off Eurosceptic rebellion, archived documents reveal. Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. He has an older brother and an older half-sister (from his father's first marriage). Sir Richard was convinced the caller was Sir John, telling Cabinet Secretary Sir Robin Butler that "if it had been an actor he would have been at the very top of his profession". They spoke to their - unofficial -"whips to ensure that others in their group did the same. Portrait of impressionist Rory Bremner, photographed for Radio Times in connection with the television series 'Now, Something Else', March 9th 1987. With a House of Commons majority of just 18, Sir John was under constant pressure from the Eurosceptic right. Tony Blair and John Major urge MPs to reject PM's Brexit bill, Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, 'Fetal heartbeat' in abortion laws taps emotion, not science, Police have killed more than 100 children since 2015 in US, data shows. Bremner could tell the MP believed he was talking to the PM. Rory Bremner, John Bird and John Fortune will be appearing at the Albery Theatre, London WC2 from 30 Sept for a five-week run (020-7369 1730) Show comments 1 /0 Rory Bremner: First impressions Rory Bremner hoaxed three Tory MPs back in 1993 leading to inquiry by top civil servant The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Sir Richard told the Cabinet Secretary Sir Robin Butler that "if it had been an actor he would have been at the very top of his profession". But it was Bremner who had called the MPs, gathering material for his new show. Impressionist Rory Bremner “saved John Major’s bacon” with a series of hoax calls to backbench Tories in the nineties, an MP claimed. VideoThe birds on the balcony that found TikTok fame, Why crying can help you succeed in business, Grenade sex toy sparks police alert in Germany2, Florida school bars vaccinated teachers from classrooms3, What is the row over Boris Johnson's flat about?4, Australian jailed for filming dying police officers5, Spears asks to address court over conservatorship6, Family meal wins international food photo contest7, Samsung heirs to pay record inheritance tax8, Biden to pitch child care and free university plan9, Why India's Covid crisis matters to the whole world10. We chart India’s Covid story over a day, as cases spike and the official death toll passes 200,000. According to an official note of their conversation, Sir Richard told the cabinet secretary that the call had "saved [Sir John's] bacon". Papers released by the National Archives show Bremner telephoned rebel MPs as an “experiment” to see if his impersonation of the prime minister could convince people who knew him. Alexander Armstrong is to host a new impressions show for ITV1. Impressionist Rory Bremner "saved John Major's bacon" when he inadvertently thwarted a Tory revolt against him, newly released files show. But after the calls, they decided to "take the heat off". Rory Bremner may have helped keep John Major in Number 10 by impersonating the Prime Minister during phone calls with leading rebels plotting his downfall. Confidential documents reveal No 10 panic at comedian’s impressions of John Major in hoax calls to MPs. Impressions masterclass with Alistair McGowan and Rory Bremner Alistair McGowan immediately senses how tense and scared I am. He and his production team wanted to see whether his impression of the prime minister would "fool anyone". As an impressionist, after all, it’s his job to observe. A fortnight after the calls, he phoned both MPs. Only two copies of the note were kept - and nothing was put in writing to Mr Grade. He spoke to Radio 4’s Today programme about how it happened. Sir Richard was insistent it had been the real prime minister. Newly released files from the National Archives show Bremner called senior Eurosceptics in 1993 who were planning to challenge Major’s leadership and persuaded them to change their minds. The tranche of documents also show the serious side of … 'I lost my unborn child and wife on the same day' Video, 'I lost my unborn child and wife on the same day', Why a US photographer says 'sorry for the war' Video, Why a US photographer says 'sorry for the war', The birds on the balcony that found TikTok fame. Impressionists Rory Bremner and Debra Stephenson perform a number of impressions including Theresa May and Boris Johnson. To his surprise, Mr Carlisle seemed to believe him and Bremner then called Sir Richard. © 2021 BBC. Impressionist Rory Bremner may have inadvertently helped to defuse a Tory revolt against John Major, according to newly released official files. Mr Carlisle had told another MP, Graham Bright, about the phone calls and the cabinet secretary investigated. John Major was granted a stay of execution as prime minister after comedian Rory Bremner impersonated him in phone calls to rebel Conservative MPs, according to newly released official files. you really put it to the test um and in a sense you know uh it's weird. Rory Bremner may have helped keep John Major in Number 10 by impersonating the Prime Minister during phone calls with leading rebels plotting his downfall. One of the rebels, Sir Richard Body, believed he had been called by the then-prime minister, who had a slim majority of 18 and was constantly fending off criticism from his party’s Eurosceptic wing. But the lead rebel thought it was the PM phoning and abandoned the revolt. Bremner’s impression was so convincing, Body rallied around Major John Major was granted a stay of execution as prime minister after comedian Rory Bremner impersonated him in phone calls to rebel Conservative MPs, according to newly released official files. Read about our approach to external linking. John Major was granted a stay of execution as prime minister after comedian Rory Bremner impersonated him in phone calls to rebel Conservative MPs, according to newly released official files. Impressions Some of Culshaw's most famous impressions include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair , Obi-Wan Kenobi (in the Alec Guinness persona), Russell Crowe , Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump , Ozzy Osbourne , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , comedian Michael McIntyre , presenter Dale Winton , newsreader Brian Perkins , Sir Patrick Moore , Tom Baker and Les Dawson . "It's like being a safe cracker," he told the BBC. What are the chances of that?". Video, The birds on the balcony that found TikTok fame, Grenade sex toy sparks police alert in Germany, Florida school bars vaccinated teachers from classrooms. Impressionist Rory Bremner has revealed how a telephone offer to dance with key Tory rebel Sir Richard Body, while pretending to be John Major, was … Impressionist Rory Bremner may have inadvertently helped to defuse a Tory revolt against John Major, according to newly released official files. Bremner’s impersonation inadvertently persuaded Eurosceptic MPs to fall in line at the height of the Maastricht crisis in 1993. He told the BBC: "You think you're being satirical but the reality is even more farcical. The Imitation Game is a panel show with a twist. Sir Richard said the caller was "frantic", in a great hurry, and asking for the Eurosceptics' support. They and their allies had been planning to challenge the prime minister at time of the annual Conservative Party conference that autumn. "Honestly, who'd have thought that without a spoof phone call, a group of Eurosceptic backbenchers might have forced the prime minister to resign and taken us out of the EU. Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. What are the chances of that?". A week after his conversation with the cabinet secretary, Sir Richard called No 10, apologising for being taken in. They had planned to challenge Sir John's leadership at the time of the Conservative conference in Blackpool. "Honestly, who'd have thought that without a spoof phone call, a group of Eurosceptic backbenchers might have forced the prime minister to resign and taken us out of the EU. He was so convinced that he called fellow MP, John Carlisle, who had also received a call and they decided to call off their challenge. The next day, Grade confirmed none of the calls to MPs would be broadcast, and that any future calls would require his permission - which he would not give if they "touched on political matters". Impressionist Rory Bremner may have inadvertently helped to defuse a Tory revolt against John Major, according to newly released official files. Brexit will be 'brutal' for UK, warns ex-PM Major, Major snubbed plans for separate Scottish time zone, Major missed GB's Olympic gold for cricket, 'A horror story on repeat': India's Covid crisis. Comedian Rory Bremner as politician John Major in a sketch from the BBC television impression show 'Rory Bremner', March 17th 1991. One of Britain's sharpest impressionists and satirists, Rory Bremner, popped into NMP Live HQ for a coffee and exclusive chat about the state of global politics, why he believes satire is the best outlet for his impressions and why he loves corporate audiences. Early life. "Suddenly - the doors open and you're in.". A prank call from impressionist Rory Bremner could inadvertently have helped save then U.K. Prime Minister John Major’s leadership in 1993, newly released files from Britain’s National … He asked for assurances these calls would not be broadcast, and no new calls would be made. But Bremner said he had no idea he had helped to thwart a rebellion 27 years ago. The file shows the PM himself placed two ticks on the note and added: "Good". What is the row over Boris Johnson's flat about? Bremner made the calls as part of his new show but Sir Richard was insistent it had been the real prime minister and told the cabinet secretary the call had "saved [Sir John's] bacon". Documents from the National Archives tell how Bremner impersonated the then-PM when he phoned Eurosceptic Tory MPs in 1993, asking for their support. Comedian Rory Bremner as politician John Major in a sketch from the BBC television impression show 'Rory Bremner' broadcast in 1991 Credit: Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty Images 'I lost my unborn child and wife on the same day' Video'I lost my unborn child and wife on the same day', Why a US photographer says 'sorry for the war' VideoWhy a US photographer says 'sorry for the war', The US embassy blast victims who fear being forgotten, Family meal wins international food photo contest, Chile's pop export Mon Laferte on repression and injustice, Kuwaiti woman's murder spurs demands for change, BBC Worklife: The jobs 'crushing' young workers, The birds on the balcony that found TikTok fame. The cabinet secretary then called Michael Grade, then-chief executive of Channel 4. ... Really, you think I will this impression work. 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