Gyles Brandreth has revealed his profound remorse and self-blame concerning the tragic passing of Rod Hull, the cherished entertainer renowned for his comedic performances alongside his puppet Emu.
Hull met his untimely demise in 1999 while adjusting his television aerial, falling from a ladder outside his Winchelsea bungalow in East Sussex and subsequently being pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The coroner’s verdict determined his death to be accidental.
During a candid discussion with John Cleese on his Rosebud podcast, Brandreth, a presenter for This Morning and a former GMB presenter, opened up about his deep sense of accountability, stating, “I killed a man. It was Rod Hull, the emu man.”
Brandreth, 76, recounted a conversation where Hull expressed dissatisfaction with his TV reception and his subsequent encouragement for Hull to ascend the roof with a ladder during halftime of a Champions League match between Manchester United and Inter Milan.
Reflecting on the day of Hull’s tragic accident, characterized by “terrible, terrible weather,” Brandreth shared that they had attended the theater together earlier.
He remembered Hull’s persistent complaints about being unable to watch football due to issues with his Sky aerial.
Despite the adverse weather conditions, Brandreth’s casual suggestion inadvertently led to Hull attempting to rectify the aerial issue after the show. Tragically, Hull fell backward from the ladder amid strong winds, resulting in his fatal injury.
Although Brandreth was not physically present at the time of the incident, he deeply laments having spurred Hull into action, feeling accountable for the outcome.
Rod Hull, originally hailing from the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, gained national recognition through his partnership with Emu, a puppet he discovered in an Australian props room in 1969.
Their comedic chemistry, including memorable encounters such as meeting the Queen Mother at the Royal Variety Show in 1972 and engaging in playful antics with chat show host Michael Parkinson, endeared them to audiences across Britain.
