Russ Randelle

Russ Randelle (better known as Mr Happy) has entertained families at every conceivable venue, from front rooms to Wembley Stadium for over 30 years. Russ has followed in the footsteps of his father who performed as Clown Ki-Ko with Walker the Dog appearing on Billy Smarts Circus in the 1940s-50s. Russ, a former Royal Marine has been an entertainer virtually all of his life. He started work in Children’s theatre, then worked in shopping centres, at children’s parties & performing street theatre. He appeared in episodes of ‘Ruth Rendell’, ‘Casualty’ & ‘The Trainer’ (staring David McCallum& Susannah York). He has also worked in comedy bands, dance troupes, at Butlins & Warner Haven Holiday Camps and for Santus & Zippos Circuses. The recipient of two prestigious International Clown Awards, Happy was chosen to be one of the clowns in the Johnny Vaughan Show: ‘Clowns Across the Pennines’ which launched BBC3 in 2003. He has also appeared with Ainsly Harriott on ‘Celebrity Ready Steady Cook’. Radio Berkshire has travelled with Happy’s Circus & transmitted live broadcasts behind the scenes & during the show.When schools close for the summer holidays, Happy’s Circus has performed at numerous summer venues including Brean in Somerset, Charmouth & West Bay in Dorset, Burley in the New Forest & on Bournemouth Pier amongst many other theatres across the UK. This in turn has led to performances as Dame in several pantomimes across the UK. But nothing has surpassed Russ’s proudest memory when he was invited to the Queen’s Garden Party in 2012 at Buckingham Palace. Russ is a member of Equity, the Association of Independent Showman & the European Circus Association. He is honoured to have served for five years as the treasurer of the ACP (Association of Circus Proprietors).