Ooh Betty! Frank Spencer is comedy cup of tea

A quaint little coffee house along a quiet country lane is not usually a hotbed for slapstick comedy.

But customers visiting tea rooms in Claverley, Shropshire, are being served up something extra special with their cups of Earl Grey and homemade cakes - in the form of the iconic Frank Spencer.

The black beret and trench coat wearing character from the BBC's hugely popular British comedy series Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em is a regular feature at Poplar Cottage tea rooms in Danford.

The accident prone Spencer is brought to life by John McSherry, 57, who owns the picturesque tea rooms with his wife Michelle.

"I make people happy and that's a nice feeling for me to have," John said.

"They come here specifically to meet Frank and lots of people even request him when they are booking their parties here."

John first donned Spencer's famous dark hat and long, beige coat when he and his wife opened the tea

A former entertainment manager at Pontins holiday parks across the country, John admits he loves putting on a show for people.

"I was with Pontins for eight years and put on all the shows at several of the parks," he said. "I'd do anything from a bit of Frank Spencer to an angry old man with a walking stick shouting at people.

"I've always enjoyed entertaining people."

Getting into the character of the wimpish Spencer first began for John, who is originally from Fife in Scotland, when he was catering for a funeral party at the tea rooms.

"Believe it or not but the first time I did the Frank act was when there was a funeral party here," John said. "Everyone was understandably low so I decided to cheer them all up so I got into character.

"I definitely cheered them up and they were all laughing at me by the end.

"I love the old-fashioned slapstick comedy where someone does idiotic things that make people laugh straightaway.

"I used to watch Frank on TV when I was younger and thought he was great."

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em was written by Michele Dotrice and Michael Crawford , who played the part of Spencer in the seventies TV show.

The show followed him as he tried to hold down various jobs, which all ended in disaster. Michelle even describes herself as "the new Betty", Frank's long suffering wife on the show, getting into character herself every now and then.

"I go along with it sometimes and get into character," she said. "It's all just a bit of a giggle." From day one he's been doing the Frank act. I think it's the beret that does it for most people. The customers often comment on how much he looks like Frank.

"It's a bit unique finding Frank Spencer down a quiet country lane.

"He really cheers everyone up with his jokes. The customers love him and keep coming back. They all want the full Frank experience when they come here."

John, who admits he is the joke of every party, said he came up with all of his own cheesy gags.

"I make up all my own jokes just from things that happen every day," he said. The other day someone phoned to say they were stuck on the M6 so I turned it into a joke and tell it to all the customers now."

Regular customer Pam Clift, 68, who has been visiting the tea rooms since it first opened, said John made her laugh with all his jokes.

"I come here for the food and the Frank Spencer act which makes me laugh. I've recommended this place to all my friends," she said.

Mrs Clift, a retired sewing machinist from Doulton Road, Rowley Regis, added: "It's like being at home when I'm here."

John and Michelle met 20 years ago and have two sons, Daniel, 15 and Dominic, 11, who Michelle admitted weren't too keen on their father's one man act.

"Daniel gets embarrassed when his dad comes out all dressed up. I'm sure they'll appreciate it when they get older," she said.

Retired secretary Cavelle Agnew went to the tea rooms with 22 of her friends and family for her 70th birthday.

Mrs Agnew said: "He made my birthday that bit extra special. He really made my day."

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