Graham Fellows: Playing John Shuttleworth Came at a Cost

Before he became known as the quirky, banana-snacking John
Shuttleworth, Graham Fellows was a kid from Sheffield with dreams
of classical acting and a knack for writing unforgettable songs.
In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien meets the man
behind the cult characters to trace the unpredictable path from
Jilted John to Chicken Town.


They explore Graham’s early life, from his mum’s quiet
environmentalism to a fleeting moment of baby photo fame, and his
parallel passions for drama and music that led him to Manchester
Youth Theatre and, later, punk-inflected pop stardom. Graham
reflects on the shock of overnight fame, the decades spent
wrestling with alter egos, and the complex relationship between
creator and character.


Thoughtful, eccentric and candid, this is the story of a
performer who’s built a singular career by blurring the line
between parody and poignancy.


Find out more about Chicken Town here