Tribute event in memory of poetry legend Hovis Presley
It’s 20 years since the passing of northern poetry legend Richard Henry McFarlane aka Hovis Presley, who died of a heart attack aged 44. A unique talent straddling the worlds of stand-up, alternative cabaret and spoken word, his influence has been acknowledged by the likes of Peter Kay and Johnny Vegas. His deadpan delivery and subtle wordplay set him apart and reflected his own personality and preoccupations.
Hovis appeared regularly on television and had a sell-out show at the Edinburgh Fringe. The attention did not suit him and he withdrew to the Bolton and the Manchester club scene he was familiar and at home with.
To celebrate his work and legacy friends from that world are appearing in a tribute night at Bolton Socialist Club on Friday 11 July. Organised by Dave Morgan of Live from Worktown the show will include local musicians, comedians and spoken word performers who worked with Hovis and were inspired by him, including Chris Kehoe, Kevin Bates and Lynn Collier Jelly.
Top of the bill is Manchester’s Thick Richard, who himself was mentored by Hovis as a young and inexperienced performer. The MC for the evening, which starts at 7.30pm, is Salford’s Tony Kinsella. Tickets are £5 on the door or reserved in advance from dave.morgan@livefromworktown.org.uk
Dave Morgan
Mon 20th Oct 2025 15:41
Just catching up on recent events and very pleased to confirm that the Hovis Presley tribute night was sold out in advance with a capacity 75 audience at Bolton Socialist Club. I could have sold twice as many tickets. Hugely enjoyable, nostalgic, funny and reflective evening which drew many old friends together. Honoured with an audience including Jenny Ryan and Lucy Porter who were appearing at the Octagon Comedy Festival. We went on to do an edited version at Morecambe Poetry Festival in September which drew an even bigger audience and a note of praise from Henry Normal who produced Richard ('Whine Gums') and worked with him in his prime and who confirmed that ' he could have done anything; I never wanted to go on stage (eg at the Buzz Club Chorlton) after him, he was that good.' Agraman, legendary founder of the Buzz Club (which gave a platform for every aspiring young comic performer alongside the likes of Caroline Aherne and Steve Coogan) sent a poem to be read, and a good time was had by all. My thanks to Chris Kehoe and Louise Wilson for reading extracts from my Hovis in Wonderland script, Kevin Bates for playing some favourite Richard tunes and reading some of his work and Nat Clare and Rich Davenport Bolton expats now living locally for reminiscences and readings. Matt Panesh took us on spec and I thank him for the opportunity and support.