TV presenter shows a different side.

Everyone knows ITV Central personality Bob Warman to be a good sport – but no-one ever thought he would end up being a ‘stooge’ to pantomime star Paul Zerdin!

Or to be more precise, the dummy to the incredibly-funny ventriloquist-comedian who is about to delight audiences attending Birmingham Hippodrome’s spectacular production of Jack in the Beanstalk. The show started on Friday, December 19th.

However, that’s what happened when Paul appeared as the celebrity guest at the Birmingham Press Club’s Christmas lunch, held at the Hippodrome’s Patrick Centre.

Bob, anchorman on ITV Central News and president of Birmingham Press Club, was plucked from the audience up onto the stage – and, much to everyone’s amusement, transformed into ‘Tracey’ as Paul conjured up a comic commentary at the expense of his“victim.

“We usually see Bob as a suave TV presenter – but we saw him in a different light at the lunch,” said Press Club chairman Ed James. “Bob really entered into the spirit of things and his movements were a perfect match for the words that Paul made sure were ‘coming out’ of Bob’s mouth.”

The lunch, sponsored by Barclays, was attended by 100 media sector representatives and guests from the corporate community who, through proceeds from a raffle, raised just under £1,000 for Ward 11 at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Northfield. Barclays has worked closely with Ward 11 following a major refurbishment and upgrading of facilities to include a playroom for 2-11 year olds – and lunch guests also donated a number of Christmas gifts for youngsters on the ward.