page_title: Jim Bowen
section_title: Radio and stage
hierarchical_section_title: Jim Bowen / Radio and stage
caption_attribution_description: English: crop of Jim Bowen from photo at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008
context_page_description: James Brown Whittaker, known professionally as Jim Bowen, was an English stand-up comedian and television personality. He was the long-time host of the ITV game show Bullseye, which he presented from its beginning in 1981 through to the end of its original run in 1995.
  Bowen grew up in Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire, and went to Accrington Grammar School. In his early adulthood, he became a teacher, and took part in local dramatic groups. He eventually devoted himself to comedy full-time, having been influenced by Ken Dodd, and first appeared on television in The Comedians. This led to other television work during the 1970s. He achieved national attention after becoming host on Bullseye, which was a ratings success throughout the 1980s. He subsequently worked for various radio stations, and continued to perform stand up tours. Towards the end of his life, he was affected by a number of strokes which made performing difficult.
context_section_description: In 1999, Bowen began presenting on BBC Radio Lancashire but in 2002, after working there for three years, he resigned after referring to a guest on his show as a "nig-nog". He apologised for the remark almost immediately, and afterwards stated "No racial connotation was ever intended". On 27 August 2012, Bowen re-united with Happy Daft Farm co-presenter Sally Naden for a one-off show on the station.
  Bowen returned to radio in 2009, presenting a mid-morning radio show on 106.6 Indigo FM in Cumbria.
  In 2005 Bowen performed a solo show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe about Bullseye, called "You Can't Beat a Bit of Bully". He returned to Edinburgh in 2006 performing at ‘Jongleurs’ from 8–28 August.
caption: Bowen at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2008
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