When you hear the name Philip Pope, many instantly think of that unforgettable performance as Tony Angelino in “Only Fools and Horses”. But let us tell you, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Prepare to be wowed because there’s a treasure trove of talents under Pope’s belt!
Kicking off his impressive journey in the limelight, Philip Pope dazzled at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in ’78 and ’79. Partnering with none other than Angus Deayton, the dynamic duo brought the Oxford Revue to life. From there, Pope’s star continued to rise as he made his mark in a slew of television comedy series, including the legendary “Who Dares Wins”, “Chelmsford 123”, and “KYTV”.
If you’re an avid Blackadder enthusiast, you’d also recognise him as the painter Leonardo Acropolis and the iconic Horatio Nelson in Black Adder’s ‘A Christmas Carol’. Talk about versatility!
When it comes to tunes, Pope doesn’t just sing them; he creates them. Joining forces with Richard Curtis, they birthed the Hee Bee Gee Bees’ “Meaningless Songs”, a smashing hit that took a cheeky dig at The Bee Gees. This genius partnership didn’t stop there. They went on to create parody masterpieces inspired by the likes of Eagles, Michael Jackson, and even The Police!
Pope’s tune-tastic journey saw him craft comic songs for “Not the Nine O’Clock News” and “Spitting Image”. Who can forget the knee-slapping “The Chicken Song”? But that’s not all, folks! He’s the genius behind the catchy theme tunes for household favourites like “Through the Keyhole”, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, and even “KYTV”.
And while many of us were entertained by Pope’s musical genius during our childhood, watching “Words and Pictures”, “Fimbles”, or “The Roly Mo Show”, little did we know that it was him voicing Yugo and Migo on the latter.
Film buffs might be keen to note Pope’s musical touch in “Kevin & Perry Go Large” and his cameo in the famed radio series “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, where he serenaded us with “Under the Ink Black Sky”. A talent that knows no bounds!
His career has been dotted with personal moments too. Pope and his beloved wife Rosie took to ITV’s “From The Heart” in 2013, sharing the heart-wrenching journey of their son Will, who battled severe heart complications. Thankfully, after a successful heart transplant, Will was on the road to recovery.
From his collaboration with Snow Patrol to stage productions in Coventry and his role as Mike Philips in “The Life of Rock with Brian Pern”, Philip Pope’s career is nothing short of spectacular. He’s not just Tony Angelino, he’s an extraordinary talent in the world of entertainment! So, next time someone mentions Tony Angelino you can impress them with the man’s impressive career.