Is it that time already?

by Rikki Fulton

Rikki Fulton was one of the biggest stars Scotland has produced. From classic comedy performances in Francie and Josie and Scotch & Wry - including the legendary Rev I M Jolly - and appearances in Hollywood movies like Gorky Park, Rikki had an extraordinary life and career. Now, to celebrate his life and work ten years after his passing, this new edition of Is It That Time Already? tells the full story - from Rikki's childhood in Glasgow in the 1930s to his experiences in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and his rise to stardom. Rikki includes the remarkable story of how he survived his ship being torpedoed during the war and how he fulfilled his showbiz dreams when the war ended, as he became one of the funniest performers and the biggest stars of his generation with a career dedicated to making people laugh. Packed full of anecdotes, and with a new afterword by Rikki's friend and colleague Tony Roper, Is It That Time Already? is a brilliant autobiography by a much-loved and missed entertainer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Robert Kerr "Rikki" Fulton, OBE was a Scottish comedian and actor best remembered for writing and performing in the long-running BBC Scotland sketch show, Scotch and Wry. He was also known for his appearances as one half of the double act, Francie and Josie, alongside Jack Milroy.

Fulton began his professional acting career as a straight actor, mostly appearing in repertory theatre and BBC Radio, including The Gowrie Conspiracy in 1947.

Reviews

[Chris R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It always amazes me when I read an autobiography. Most of the time we only get to see the exterior facade of someone famous, the tip of the iceberg, and rarely are we allowed to catch a glimpse of all the hard work and every day life that that person has experienced. I only knew Rikki Fulton as the hilarious comedian on Scotch and Wry who cracked me up with his Last Call sketches at New Year. I had no idea for example of his family's struggling business, his near death experience during the war, his first marriage, finding the love of his life, all of his awards, or that he and his wife were once sunbathing nude in their backgarden when the pope flew overhead in a helicopter on his way to Bellahouston Park! It turns out that Rikki Fulton (apart from almost dying in a war) faced many of the same challenges we all face on the day to day, albeit many more noteworthy, he just faced them with a joke and a smile :)

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book telling Rikki's life story. Some great stories throughout & a look into what it was like growing up, being in the Navy during WW2 and his rise to fame.

[Carol Ann Donnelly]

Enjoyed the first half, not so keen on the second half

[Kirsty McNealis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book filled with sadness and laughter as Ricki tells his story - amazing

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book up to the point he became established in Show Business. That piece described his childhood, early youth and his role in the Royal Navy during World War Two. His ship was blown up by a German torpedo in the Mediterranean Sea and most of the crew lost. After several hours in the water he was eventually rescued. Retrained and having been promoted to the officer class he spent the rest of the war in the Channel on a tiny wooden boat supporting the D-Day landings before he has a breakdown necessitating a spell in a mental hospital. Today we would recognise this as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. His return to civvy street and his career eventually take off. From this point on it is typical showbizz luvvie darling stuff. That part I did not like, it was too boring.