An eccentric British entertainer known as The Birdman of Trowbridge has taken America by storm after appearing on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Tony Durant's bird and animal impressions even had Oscar-nominated actor Samuel L Jackson doubled up with laughter.
Mr Durant, wearing his trademark feathered hat, impersonated a range of birds before he strutted around pretending to be a chicken before "laying" an egg on stage.
Fellow guest Samuel L Jackson was in hysterics before being left speechless after the Briton told him a rude joke about farmers' wives.
Mr Durant, 63, then cuddled Jay Leno as part of his impression of a monkey prompting the presenter to ask: "Forgive me Tony - but a single man are ya?"
The Briton, who hails from the small rural town of Trowbridge, Wilts, replied: "Yes - at the moment."
He added: "It was a great experience. Jay Leno was a wonderful man and the show's producers were too.
"Samuel L Jackson was very nice and when he shook my hand he squeezed it.
"The first impression I ever did was in fact a sparrow - just a normal house sparrow. But I can do lots of birds and I do a beautiful blackbird."
Mr Durants rude joke about farmers' wives had Samuel L Jackson laughing so hard he nearly fell of the sofa.
He said: "Why are English farmers' wives always happy first thing in the morning? Because they are up with the cock in the morning."
Mr Durant, who works as a lecturer in natural history, was invited to appear on The Tonight Show after producers saw clips of his impressions on Youtube.
He began his performance by explaining Trowbridge to the American audience before opening up with a house sparrow, blackbird, seagull and crow.
Mr Durant continued by demonstrating an impressive repertoire of farmyard animal noises, including a sheep, dog, chicken, cow and horse.
Leno asked him: "Are women impressed by the animal noises, do they find it romantic when you do them in bed?" To which Tony replied: "Yes, especially when I do the pig."
Mr Durant's manager Sarah Jane Newbury has revealed that Jay Leno's producers were so impressed with the Birdman they have asked him back for a second appearance.
She said: "We are having a great time being taken everywhere in a limo. It's was such a great time to do the best show on the planet.
"The producer of the show said Tony is one of the most talented men she has ever come across and she has worked on the top variety Jay Leno show for 17 years." Tony also appeared on the Paul O'Grady show alongside Happy Days' actor Henry Winkler and Dame Ann Leslie.
He performed a number of animal and bird impressions on the show as well as talking about his new project 'Animals in Need'.
Mr Durant said: "I would like other celebrities and producers to contact me to have an Animals in Need event because animals don't have a voice and it would be nice for someone to give them a voice.
"Paul is a great animal lover and he does a lot for animal charities so this is something close to his heart.
"It was good to meet the Fonz because I used to watch Happy Days and I used to like him."
source
Navigation
British bird impressionist appears on Jay Leno's Tonight Show
Linear Mode
