It has been 20 years since the passing of Richard Henry McFarlane, better known by his stage name Hovis Presley, a poet, comedian, and one of Bolton’s most beloved creative figures.
Hovis was a master of dry wit, known for his deadpan delivery and subtle humour, with a knack for wordplay that translated into his quirky poetic style. The choice of the stage persona "Hovis Presley" itself is a perfect example of his ironic wordplay, blending poetry with the surreal and ordinary nature of Northern English life.
In the 1990s, Hovis became a key figure in the alternative comedy scene in and around Bolton and Manchester. He began writing poetry and sketches as a teenager but ventured into the comedy circuit at the age of 29.
"I Rely on You," a fan favourite from his 1993 anthology Poetic Off Licence, is filled with everyday metaphors for love and a need for someone, "like a Skoda needs suspension" and "like a trampoline needs tension."
However, the line, "Ryan's just Ryan without his daughter, " often drew the biggest laughs during live performances. Delivered with his trademark pause and serious expression, the line is an example of Hovis’s gift for emotional timing, combining sincerity and absurdity in a way only he could.
Presley regularly performed his poetry live, running what he called an“alternative to alternative comedy club, and was a familiar voice on the radio alongside John Shuttleworth and Mark Radcliffe. He also presented the BBC Three show Wine Gums, where modern poets read their work.
Though his 1997 Edinburgh Fringe show Wherever I Lay My Hat, That’s My Hat was a sell-out success, Hovis never craved the spotlight. He soon returned to Bolton, choosing instead to focus on supporting young writers and performing locally, often helping students find confidence in their creative voices.
People attending the event at Bolton Socialist Club. Image Credit: Julia Uttley