The glam rock stalwarts, Slade, came a cropper of the bizarre comic duo, Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, when they were a constant theme for celebrity annihilation throughout the BBC series, ‘The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer’. The show ran for two series on the BBC back in 1993.

Slade were such an easy target for sketch show comedians that it’s a surprise that they didn’t appear in something sooner! With over the top, provocative glam rock outfits, combined with thick ‘Brummy’ accents, they were a sitting duck for the next comedy writer who happened to pay attention to them.

In Vic and Bob’s ‘Slade in Residence’ Christmas Special, they have the four members sitting around the dinner table in their house on a typical Birmingham estate. They begin the sketch arguing whether drummer, Don Powell, saw Santa or not the previous night. (Very Spinal Tap!)

Vic and Bob are joined by Paul Whitehouse and Mark Williams (better known for their work on the Fast Show) and the group are dressed in the height of 70’s glam fashion. Vic, who plays Noddy Holder, has adorned the trademark ginger sideburns that stretch all the way down to edge of his chin as well as the equally iconic top hat and tartan suit. Other outfits on display include a sleeveless silver jumpsuit, an extra flash, shiny red blazer and an unaccompanied waist coat that’s revealing Don Powell’s hairless chest!

Bass player Jim (who takes on the mother role) tells them it’s time to open presents, which sends the rest of them into an ecstatic child-like frenzy. Among the presents there is a monster truck, a water pistol, and a pair of striped, platform slippers for Noddy: “Eh lads, I can’t thank ye enough these slippers are great!”*

Don tries out his water pistol by going over to an old portrait hanging on the wall, where ‘Ozzy Osbourne’, the greatest of all brummy rockers, is hiding. He pulls pack a hole in one of the eye’s and says hello, only to receive a squirt of water in return.

Then in walks ‘Simon le Bon (played by Charlie Higson). He is a very effeminate dandy who talks in a nice and civilized manner and, much to the annoyance of the rest, lets on to Jim that he is all polite and innocent when the rest of them know he is a sneaky, spoiled little brat! He breaks Dave’s Monster Truck and sprays the marigold centre piece on the table with Don’s water pistol.

After Jim catches him in the act, he grabs Simon by the arms and holds him up while Dave slaps him across the face and twists his nose (with the appropriate cliché sound effect). Don gets his revenge by smacking him on the head with a fry pan!

But the icing on the cake has yet to come. Ozzy bursts through the door, complaining that the water-in-the-eye gag caused him to smash his glass devil statue! When they all point at Simon, Ozzy gives him a good old fashioned loaf to the head!

* quoted from The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer/ Slade Christmas Special sketch