Bill Tidy - Career

Career

As his work became better known and began to be published in the Daily Sketch and Daily Mirror, he moved to London where, together with a number of his contemporaries in Fleet Street, he formed the Cartoonist's Association. Tidy is most famed for his cartoon strips - The Cloggies ran from 1967 to 1981 in the weekly satirical magazine Private Eye, and The Fosdyke Saga was published daily in the Daily Mirror from 1971 to 1984; the latter was a parody of The Forsyte Saga, set in the industrial north instead of a genteel upper-class environment. This was broadcast as a radio series in 42 parts by the BBC from 1983, with additional scripting by John Junkin. It also became a stage play with Tidy working in co-operation with playwright Alan Plater. Tidy recently restarted producing the Fosdyke Saga cartoon strip on his own website where he also offers a variety of his works for sale.

Other cartoon strip series and individual cartoons have been published in many other newspapers and magazines, including New Scientist, What's Brewing? (CAMRA's monthly magazine), and Punch. When Punch ceased publication, Tidy attempted to buy the title. He has also written 20 books and illustrated 70.

Tidy's many TV appearances have included Countdown, Watercolour Challenge, Through the Keyhole and Countryfile; his radio appearances include I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. He wrote and presented Draw Me, a children's television series in 13 parts. He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1975.

Tidy's artistic style is similar to that of his late friend and fellow cartoonist, Larry. However, where Larry's cartoons are usually the graphic equivalent of one-liner jokes, Tidy tends to work in longer forms with verbal as well as visual humour.

Tidy's career has now taken him into the world of corporate speaking and hosting. He has found himself in great demand by numerous companies, large and small, who are entertained at events by his wit and live drawing.