The Innovative Steve Hewlett

david malmberg
Feb 28
9 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Steve Hewlett. His name is synonymous with Britain's Got Talent. As a finalist on that show, he made a significant mark in the world of entertainment. But there’s so much more to Steve than just being a contest winner. I recently had the chance to sit down with him, and let me tell you, he’s a generous, sincere, and authentic human being. You can't help but like him.

Don’t get me wrong; Steve is a pro through and through. His experience in the business spans decades. Soon, we’ll be treated to his lifelong work titled Ventriloquest. More on that later.

The title of this article is The Innovative Steve Hewlett. We tossed around the word "innovative" at least half a dozen times during our chat. Steve confided that he doesn't really like the term because pronouncing "innovative" can be a tongue twister at times—kind of like "aluminum." So, naturally, I had to include it in the title!

This interview was a real pleasure. Here’s the Innovative Steve Hewlett on Vent-O-Gram.

So, you performed at the Vent Haven Convention this year…

There’s always that moment of nerves. You’re not just performing in a different country (I’ve worked in America before, and they’re a favorite audience), but you’re also in front of fellow ventriloquists. It can be quite the challenge.

It must be even more anxious for you since you have to navigate a different culture as well.

Absolutely. Language issues can be tricky. It’s crucial to use the right words and phrases. Will they translate into humor? But honestly, it all went marvelously well. I don’t know what I was so nervous about! I’ve made so many friends here. Plus, I’m with the guy who taught me ventriloquism when I was twelve.

Jimmy Tamley?

Yes! And one of my heroes in ventriloquism, Ronn Lucas, walked in. It couldn’t have been better for me.

Ronn was doing television in England for a while. Where were you in your career at that time?

I had no career. I was still in school. I actually started when I met Jimmy Tamley in 1987. I knocked on his door, asked if he would teach me, and he said, “Yes.” He told me to go get some books, so I picked up the Ray Alan book.

I started learning from that book, and Jimmy began teaching me. Then in 1989, Ronn Lucas came over to do a show called the Hippodrome Show. They brought him back for The Ronn Lucas Show. Ronn became a huge overnight star. I was taken to one of the tapings when I was 14. That’s when I met Ronn.

So you were twelve when you started ventriloquism. That’s not an unusual story.

No, it’s a magical age. Jimmy Tamley lived in my town and had appeared on television. My parents said, “We should watch him; he’s a ventriloquist.” I said, “What’s that?” After seeing Jimmy, I fell in love with the craft. Just a few days later, I knocked on his door.

Besides Ray Alan, were there any other books that influenced you?

Yes, Valentine Vox. His book became a bible for me. I used to check it out from the library. You could have it for three weeks, and then I’d go back and recheck it out. I had that book for about two years. (Laughter)

Do you know Val?

Yes! I met Valentine Vox last year. He came over to London, and I took him to lunch. It was so fun to talk with him about our mutual love for the craft. Plus, he knows I’ve written a book.

The book ventriloquest……is it out?

Not yet, but it’s a labor of love.

What’s the concept of the book?

I’ve interviewed people all over the world. When I was a kid, I wrote to ventriloquists like Bill Boley, Clint Detweiller, and Willie Tyler. I kept all those letters. Many of those ventriloquists have now passed. I started writing to them in my teens. About 15 years ago, I began interviewing ventriloquists. I also reached out to the families of ventriloquists who are no longer with us, like Arthur Worsley and Dennis Spicer.

What did you think of Dennis Spicer?

He was way ahead of his time. Did you know that every time he did a TV shot, it was a different routine? He was extremely innovative.

That routine with the Corgi was amazing.

He wrote that especially for the show.

Let me ask you this. Besides Jimmy Tamley, who are the past English ventriloquists you most admire?

Oh, Dennis Spicer is way up there. Keith Harris is another one. He was a fantastic performer, producer, director, and entertainer. He was really good to me. Watching him perform was amazing.

And I have to say the same about Jimmy Tamley. This convention is incredible for me because Jimmy and I are performing together. It’s a massive full circle for us. He was my teacher…

Do the English still love ventriloquists?

They do! Curiously, the craft is still rare despite all the television coverage these days. A lot of kids are seeing ventriloquism for the first time. In the UK, there are only about six or seven working professionals. But we’re out there every day.

How long have you been a pro?

Since I was 22.

We’ll talk aboutBritain’s Got Talent in a bit, but what was your career like before that?*

It’s been really great. I’ve had lots of opportunities, but it’s a financial roller coaster. There are great times and not-so-great times. When you have a family, it makes it more challenging because you’re traveling all the time trying to provide for them. Achieving balance is crucial. For about 20 years, I worked on cruise ships, pantomimes, and holiday parties. You’re on a conveyor belt doing the same thing. You only get a break if an opportunity arises. Then I got a phone call from Britain’s Got Talent, and that took me further.

Let’s talk about opportunity. Someone once said it’s easy to say 'yes' to things but much more difficult to say 'no.' How do you know which opportunities are good?

I’ve done a lot of benefit shows and said yes to everything. It’s my way of giving back. That’s not a bad thing, but there needs to be balance. When you’re working charity, you’re actually losing time and money for your own career. My wife has made saying ‘no’ easier.

Why is that?

Because I’m taking myself away from my family. My wife and daughters are nine and thirteen. Going away on the road loses quality time with them. One time, my youngest asked, “Why is Daddy away all the time?” That hit hard. So, I’ve made a real effort to ensure there’s balance. But, as an entertainer, it’s tough.

As you’ve become more successful, have you been able to control that more?

Yes! You learn to say ‘no’ to things. If you don’t learn how to say no, you’ll end up exhausted. You need to look after yourself and your family.

You mentioned giving back. Tell me about that.

I love what I do. My mum is a very giving person, and I think I inherited that from her. When I was twelve, I started learning ventriloquism and did a lot of charity shows. What little money I made, I would donate to charity. I’m a member of The Grand Order of Water Rats. (Author's note: 'Rats' spells star backward.) It’s a charity that raises funds for various organizations across the country. Laurel and Hardy and Chaplin were Water Rats. It was formed by entertainers in 1889 and still exists.

I became a Water Rat about ten years ago. That’s when I started giving back. Plus, you make a lot of friends and contacts in the business. So many ventriloquists have helped me along the way. My membership in Water Rats is my way of paying it forward.

How influential were Laurel and Hardy and Chaplin in your act?

I love slapstick comedy. Chaplin fascinates me. It’s a legacy for me to be part of a charity that these acts were once a part of. Interestingly, they always had ventriloquists in their live shows. Had I been working in the '50s, I might have been on a Laurel and Hardy show! I always say I was born too late. I missed those days. But it’s nice to be associated with Water Rats. They helped me out during COVID, so I’m happy to give back.

In America, many ventriloquists have died broke. Is this true in the UK?

If I die now, yes! (Laughter) But my book (Ventriloquest) is a way to create a legacy. I’m not writing it for money. I don’t want the ventriloquists who came before me to be forgotten. I love the art with a passion.

So, legacy is important to you?

Only because I want to leave something that answers the question, “What did Steve Hewlett do?” The book is my connection to the past. Plus, I want to help out the up-and-coming vents. I saw Nikolas Bushi perform at the convention in 2019, and he reminded me of myself when I was younger.

So, I sent him a puppet. That’s my way of giving back, you know? He named it Chris because he got it on Christmas Day. Now, Chris is his main character. That’s really gratifying.

How did Britain’s got talent change your life?

It opened doors.

Did they approach you?

Yes, every year! (Laughter) I turned them down because I was always working. At first, I didn’t really want to do it. When they approached me, I had already been a pro for 15 years. I turned them down for six years. The last time they called, they said there was a spot for me at the London Palladium. I thought, hmmm, that changes the dynamic. (Laughter) When I was 20, I was an usher at the Palladium. I loved that theater.

So, I said yes and auditioned. When it went live, they edited my twelve minutes down to twenty seconds. I thought, well, that’s it. That’s my big break. But I made it to the live show and created a Simon Cowell puppet made by Verna Finley. It was my wife’s idea. I had the Finley refurbished to look like Simon. I kept the puppet a secret during rehearsals. When I brought it out, the reaction you see on YouTube says it all. The place went crazy. I made it to the finals.

Simon Cowell with 'Simon Cowell' and Steve

Did opportunities arise?

Yes! I toured with the Osmonds, worked in Branson, MO, and toured with Kenny G. So yes, it opened a lot of doors. I still get calls for bookings from that YouTube clip. Interestingly, back then, you could pretty much do your own material. I think things have changed a lot since then.

Do you write your own material?

Yes! I write a lot of my own material. I’ve had so many ideas over the years. Interestingly, when you perform your material at the convention, it’s kind of like paying it forward because people have long memories, if you know what I mean. (Laughter)

How do you feel about that?

Oh, I’ve had ventriloquists lift my material and routines. My wife always says to me, “Just make your routine better.” You know, make it stronger. So when someone does your routine, it’s no longer your routine because you’ve improved upon it. Besides, many of us come up with the same ideas. There’s only so much you can do with the craft, you know?

Steve Martin said, “Be so good that they can’t ignore you.” Do you think that’s true?

Absolutely! If you’re different, original, and stand out, you will be noticed. And you’ll go further.

The thing about the convention is that everyone knows all the stock lines. What works with a general audience could be death at a convention.

(Laughter) Yes! If there are fourteen ventriloquists during the convention, there’s bound to be some repetition. (Laughter) But I really enjoy watching the younger vents.

Did you attend the junior competition?

Yes! I was there once. I love seeing how confident the kids are and how different they are. Some stand out; some are very original.

How important is originality in this day and age?

You go along thinking everything has been done. Then you see something new and think, “I wish I had thought of that.” Originality is very important. But here’s the thing: you can do something that was done years ago, like in the music halls in the UK. Your audience won’t know that, and it will come across as very original. It looks new. I’ve seen ventriloquists do something that was done a hundred years ago, but it comes across as fresh.

Then there’s Jeff Dunham.

Yes! Jeff blows my mind. Not just as an idea man, but as a businessman too. I don’t think anyone will surpass what Jeff has done, especially with the arena shows.

You know, Valentine Vox has republished his book. I asked him why he felt the need to do that. He said with Jeff, something dramatically changed in ventriloquism: for the first time in history, ventriloquism became an arena act.

Yes! That’s incredible to think about. I write about this in my book as well. Jeff got it right. He’s so character-intensive. It took me many years to find the right character.

Moving forward, what are your hopes and aspirations?

I have loads of ideas. Plus, I want to get my book published. As a ventriloquist, my desire is to continue being innovative and to spread the art of ventriloquism throughout the world.