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John Fortune
John Fortune

John Fortune

  • English
  • Actor and writer

Press clippings

1996 comedy sketch is an eerie prophecy of Brexit

A recently reemerged clip from the 90s comedy sketch show Bremner, Bird and Fortune, which starred comedians John Bird, John Fortune and Rory Bremner, takes a shot at the Eurosceptics of the mid-90s. Bird assumes the character of George Parr, a fictional Tory MP who isn't too fond of the EU, the European Court of Human Rights, Greek words and the women of Luxembourg.

Greg Evans, The Independent, 2nd August 2019

John Bird and John Fortune - 1962 review

In this extract originally published in the Observer on 14 January 1962, an early Soho appearance by the duo makes our critic laugh, even if he finds something essential lacking.

Kenneth Tynan, The Guardian, 21st March 2014

5 of John Fortune's funniest satirical sketches

We take a look back at 5 of the most memorable moments from The Long Johns series.

Claire Hodgson, The Mirror, 31st December 2013

John Fortune: 'one of satire's leading lights'

Michael Hogan pays tribute to the comedian John Fortune who has died at the age of 74.

Michael Hogan, The Telegraph, 31st December 2013

John Fortune dies, aged 74

Satirist John Fortune - star of long-running Channel 4 series Bremner, Bird And Fortune, died peacefully on New Year's Eve, at the age of 74.

British Comedy Guide, 31st December 2013

Rory Bremner, John Bird and John Fortune take their satirical scalpels to the election. With three shows (tonight, tomorrow and Tuesday) in which to poke political fun, the trio keep things topical by recording each programme on the day of its transmission. Bremner provides impressions and analysis with Bird and Fortune adopting their usual guises as senior political figures.

Toby Dantzic, The Telegraph, 1st May 2010

The three satirists continue to cast their jaundiced eyes over the recent financial meltdown and the failings of new Labour with a rage that hasn't been seen since the sleazy fag end of the last Conservative Government under John Major. Some of Bremner's impersonations, particularly Tony Blair and Ken Clarke, are almost uncanny, and there is a series of wonderful George Parr interviews between Bird and Fortune, especially those with John Bird as a smooth and unscrupulous banker. But the surprise star turn in the show is Gillian Tett, who - as assistant editor of the Financial Times - gives an entirely straight interview with Bremner about the early-warning signs of crisis. It's when you stop laughing that you realise she was being serious.

David Chater, The Times, 20th June 2009

Rory Bremner interview

For the moment, budget cuts mean Bremner is recording themed specials rather than the topical series that needs weekly recording time. People say nobody saw the financial crisis coming but he has sketches going back to 1996 in which John Bird and John Fortune lampooned the whole City culture.

Catherine Deveney, The Scotsman, 14th June 2009

Impressionist Rory Bremner and his regular collaborators John Bird and John Fortune have, arguably, become the kings of biting topical satirical comedy. And in this new three-part series, everything is fair game. MPs and their expenses, the current financial disaster and Gordon Brown's much-derided grin in the video he recently released on YouTube get the skewering they so richly deserve.

Clive Morgan, The Telegraph, 13th June 2009

Rory Bremner and pals lampoon the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Russell Brand in a new series of the sketch show. What with the PM's manic YouTube grin, the meltdown of Britain's banking system, a couple of twerps making abusive phone calls to Manuel off Fawlty Towers and greedy MPs buying Whiskas with our hard-earned wages (eight out of 10 voters said their cats were utterly disgusted), you can't say Rory and the two Johns will be short of material for this three-parter. Superbly written and performed, this is subtitled The Last Show Before the Recovery. Oh, if only that were true.

What's On TV, 7th June 2009

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