Quick Facts
Biography
Norman Barrett, MBE is a veteran British circus ringmaster who made many appearances on television, notably with Charlie Cairoli in the children's television series Right Charlie.
He is well known for his act with performing budgerigars. As a younger man, he was a bareback rider, famous for his Ben Hurr act where he would stand astride two horses while others ran in the opposite direction between his legs.
He was awarded the MBE in the 2010 New Year honours list.
Norman worked with all the world's great circuses and spent 25 years at Blackpool Tower Circus. He was also the ringmaster of the Belle Vue Christmas Circus in Manchester in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Norman was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1990 when he was surprised by Michael Aspel at the Tower Circus in Blackpool.
Norman has spent the last 16 years as ringmaster for the well known Zippo's Circus touring England and Scotland.
In 2013, Norman appeared as the Mystery Guest on Russell Howard's Good News, series 8 episode 6.
Norman, with his budgies, appeared as a guest on Sunday Night at the Palladium in May 2015.