Harry Enfield looks back at Loadsamoney chart hit

When Harry Enfield recorded a pop song as his famous Loadsamoney character in 1988, he had no idea the young producer helping him would become one of the biggest names in music.

The comedian's single, Loadsamoney (Doin' Up The House), reached number four in the UK charts.

Behind the controls was William Orbit, then working under the alias Billy Beat, years before he would go on to work with stars including Madonna, Prince and U2.

"The record label said we'll put you with this lovely young producer - and he was terribly good," Enfield said.

"He just said 'just shout all your phrases into a microphone', so that's what I did and he made it into this cool thing. And that was William Orbit.

"You can see him in the background on Top of the Pops twiddling with synthesizers."

Orbit went on to become one of Britain's most successful music producers, winning multiple Grammy Awards. He died aged 69 in July.

Enfield joked that one achievement from Orbit's career is often overlooked.

"When he died Madonna was in tears, lots of people were in tears and people said here are all his amazing records and they never mentioned Loadsamoney - which was probably his first hit," he said.

"They scooted over that!"

Loadsamoney is among the familiar characters returning in the tour Harry Enfield and No Chums, which visits Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells and Guildford this autumn.

The self-styled "Thatcherite visionary" has been updated for the 21st Century, and Enfield believes the character has become relevant again.

"The one I'm really enjoying is Loadsamoney because he is so offensive and he's really up to date now," he said.

"There are so many billionaires now - the rich have got richer and the poor have got poorer - and he would find that absolutely hysterical."

Born in Sussex, Enfield attended Worth School near Crawley and Collyer's in Horsham and regularly returns to the county.

He admitted there was one local distinction he would still like to achieve.

"My sister had a boyfriend who asked 'What's the worst review you have ever had?' And I told him.

"He said: 'That's nothing, I have been burned at the stake twice [as an effigy] at Lewes Bonfire.'

"He used to be the head of Southern Rail. That's pretty cool, isn't it, to be burnt twice?

"With any luck if you come and see me in Eastbourne or Tunbridge Wells - if I offend you - please make an effigy of me and burn it at Lewes Bonfire!"

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