Russ Williams entered the world of show business at the tender age of 11. He was chosen as a child actor to appear in the play Jack The Ripper. This later aired on BBC1. With a keen interest in entertainment, he became a DJ at the age of 13. This was he start of his career in local youth clubs. He quickly progressed onto numerous radio stations including BBC Radio 1.
At the age of 22, he took his first steps onto the comedy circuit. The first 10 years were spent honing his craft in the clubs and working for every major holiday company. These included Butlins, Warners, Haven and Pontins.
For Russ, all the hard work paid off, when, in 2000, he was awarded the coveted title of Comedian of the Year. Here he was following in the footsteps of Jimmy Jones, Tom O’Connor, Billy Pearce and star of Peter Kay’s ‘Phoenix Nights’, Dave Spikey.
With his love of live performance, Russ continued to perform in clubs, theatres and at every type of corporate and private event all over the UK. Russ also completed 4 national tours with Joe Longthorne, Freddie Starr, Alexander ONeal and Engelbert Humperdinck. The tour with Engelbert culminated in a sell out show at The London Palladium.
In 2010 Russ Williams made history as the first transatlantic comedian. He earned the title, when, performing live in London. Russ was involved in the first ever Live 3-D Hologram Public Performance across the Atlantic.
Russ has also appeared on numerous TV programmes. These include Stand Up Live, Stand And Deliver and In The Club. Others included The Big Breakfast, Soccer AM, Celebrity Scissorhands and The Real Hustle.
Host and Auctioneer:
But Russ Williams is much more than a top notch comedian. Over the past 20 years he has been in great demand in the corporate market. The sporting dinner circuit is also where he gained an enviable reputation as a superb host and presenter.
His performances have proved so successful, that a number of the leading conference and after dinner speakers use Russ as their scriptwriter.
Russ Williams has travelled the world, hosting and presenting. He has performed at The National Drinks Awards, The Wella Hairdressing Awards and The ABTA Travel Awards. Others include The National Cash & Carry Awards, The Dot Com Awards and numerous in-house corporate awards dinners.
On the sports circuit, Russ Williams has hosted The European Ryder Cup Winners Dinner 2011. He also did The Manchester United Players Player of the Year Awards 2011 and Spurs end of season Golf Day 2011. Others include Arsenal Double 1971 Players Dinner, the launch of The Steven Gerrard Foundation and The Duke of Essex Polo Cup.
Russ has worked, personally, for some of the greatest names in the world of sport. These include both Sir Steven Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent. From football, Sir Trevor Brooking, Sir Geoff Hurst, Glenn Hoddle and Steven Gerrard. He also worked with the great Sir Henry Cooper.
Apart from his hosting and presenting, Russ has also developed a completely unique role for charity and corporate events, that of Comedy Charity Auctioneer. This has taken him around the world hosting events for the Variety Club, The Willow Foundation, The Teenage Cancer Trust, Sparks, ChildLine, Orchid, The Bobby Moore Foundation and Make a Wish Foundation. This year Russ reached a milestone, helping to raise over 10 Million pounds for charity.
Russ does find time to relax though. He is a keen golfer and as member of The Comedians Golfing Society, he was voted Captain in 2003 and Chairman in 2006. He is also a member of the prestigious Variety Club of Great Britain Golfing Society.