The Bradshaws

The Bradshaws is a fictional family created and voiced by the comedian and musician Buzz Hawkins.

The family was created for The Gary Davies Show with Gary Davies on Piccadilly Radio in 1983 when Hawkins wrote a poem about a family's day trip to Blackpool, this soon developed into a series. In 1986, Hawkins was made producer of The Phil Wood Show, on which he performed more Bradshaws material.

Hawkins would go on to sell cassettes of his Bradshaws episodes, which he still does to this day, as well as doing stand-up, acting and more. The Bradshaws series has been re-released as a 25 volume C.D. collection. The series has gained great popularity in the North and abroad. it has been said that some people still ask who the voice actors are even though all the characters are voiced by Hawkins [The Bradshaws Website] .

etting

The Bradshaws is set in a Cosy Terraced House with outside loo in the fictional Manchester suburb of Barnoldswick (any relation to the actual town of Barnoldswick, Lancashire, is apparent only in the name as the characters refer to Manchester as being their local town on many occasions)in the era of pounds, shillings and pence (probably sometime in the 1950s), There is almost always a Brass Band playing two or three streets away (Hawkins thought that some quiet Brass Band music in the background would help make the series feel warm and cosy [The Bradshaws Website] ) The Bradshaws are a normal working class family with little money, although they are able to afford a few luxuries (such as Alf's Woodbines). Plus, the never seen Audrey and Alf's faces (though Audrey's is briefly seen in 'Puddled').

Main characters

Audrey

Audrey is the Stereotypical Housewife, she likes entering competitions and winning holidays to Venus [The Bradshaws Boxed set] (she Mispronounced Venice). Audrey is considerably less intelligent than Alf and often shows this through complete lack of Common Knowledge,she seems to think that the coalman and Michael Morris's Mam are just 'Friends' despite the obvious [The Bradshaws Boxed set] (see Minor Characters). Audrey (seemingly) Cooks very badly, when she made Steak and Kidney Pudding for Billy and Alf's Tea she left it boiling dry resulting in burnt pastry (which tasted like Cardboard according to Alf) [The Bradshaws Boxed set] .

Alf

Alf is a Male Shoulderless pig (according to Audrey), he eats corn dog (which he calls it whereas Audrey refers it to its actual name). The only times where he is obviously nice to Billy is when he is drunk; he smokes and gets Billy to fetch him either: a box of matches (swan vestas), corned beef and much more. His face is never seen and appears to be quite a huge man who has very little money, he sarcastically calls Audrey mock affectionate names such as "sweet little thistle" and hated Poshy/Oswald (see below for more detail).

Billy

William "Billy" Bradshaw is perhaps the most popular character in the series. He loves both his parents (though Alf can be very mean to him on occasions), has an interest in Knights and Castles and is often shown playing it in episodes; he would really like a pet of some sort, either a dog, cat or Zedgie (an imaginary animal Alf made up). He also has a golly in his room, he also loves visiting the flicks and playing with Michael Morris and would really like to get some bubble gum like Michael.

Poshy/Oswald

Poshy or Oswald was Billy's kitten, Audrey and Billy both originally referred him to a he at first, But after Audrey took the cat down to a woman's house. It was then realised Poshy/Oswald was now a girl, she only appears in three episodes. In the episode 'Open Wide', Poshy escaped from the Bradshaws home and ran to (possibly) Winefred Dutton's and never appeared again, Billy and Audrey were both worried. Alf in a selfish way, was pleased that Poshy had run away, she did make a a cameo in "Audrey Tries Her Luck".

Minor Characters

The Minor Characters are never heard to speak (although Michael occasionally announces his presence with his Mouth Organ [The Bradshaws Boxed set] )

Michael Morris

Michael Morris is Billy Bradshaw's best friend, he wears a pair of Clinic Glasses for his Lazy eye. Michael is based on a school friend of Buzz Hawkins (who was also called Michael Morris [The Bradshaws Live Show at the Lowry] )

Betty Morris

Betty Morris is the mother of Michael Morris. She is having an affair with the coal man [The Bradshaws Boxed set] (although Audrey refuses to believe this). Betty and Audrey often love to go out for a game of housey housey (bingo)

Mr Morris

Mr Morris is the Father of Michael Morris (although Michael's real father is the Coal man), Mr Morris is tight-fisted and bald, he has stolen Alf's tools several times.

Uncle Wally One-Ball

Uncle Walter is Audrey's Uncle, he got a Gunshot to a 'sensitive' area in The Great War and now drags his leg, he used to go by the stagename Bert Scroginbottom he played the Banjolele and wrote his own songs. He was destined for stardom but he accidentally left his kitbag in the NAAFI with all his songs inside and it was stolen by a Buck-toothed Private named Formby [The Bradshaws Live show at the Lowry] .

Pamela

Auntie Pamela is Audrey's sister. She is constantly knitting Tank Tops for Billy and Alf although they never fit properly -- as a matter of fact, Alf wears one that she knitted for Billy. Pamela also makes knitted swimming trunks for Billy. Although Pamela and Alf are often trying new ways to annoy each other, there is a rumour that they like each other. In one episode she keeps calling Alf Alfred!

God

God features in many episodes. According to Alf (who should not be believed as he is an agnostic) the moon is a hole in the sky for God to spy on people and the sun is his reading light. He turns it on for filling in his diary [The Bradshaws Boxed set] . God seems to show a strong dislike for Alf, as shown by the numerous times that bad things happen to him. This may be because Alf kept some rude magazines that Audrey told Alf to bin [The Bradshaws Boxed set] .

Notes

External links

* [http://www.thebradshaws.biz The Bradshaws Website]
* [http://beachradiogroup.co.uk Beach Radio is the home of The Bradshaws every Saturday Afternoon]
* [http://www.salfordcityradio.org Twice a day on Salford City Radio
* [http://www.chorley.fm The Bradshaws on Chorley FM Sundays from 12:00GMT