David Battley

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“I've just decided to switch our Friday schedule to Monday, which means that the test we take each Friday on what we learned during the week will now take place on Monday before we've learned it. But since today is Tuesday, it doesn't matter in the slightest.”

―David Battley during a lesson

David Battley in 1971

David John Battley (5 November 1935 – 20 January 2003) was a British musician, teacher and actor of stage and screen, mainly appearing in comedy roles. He was the childhood friend of Dirk McQuickly, and worked with Dirk on a number of occasions throughout his career. He is best known for sitting-in for Stig O'Hara in the Rutles for eight concerts of the Rutles' 1964 world tour during the height of Rutlemania, elevating him from relative obscurity to worldwide fame and then back again in the space of a fortnight.

In 1964, Battley was as a stand-in for Stig O'Hara on the Rutles' 1964 world tour during the height of Rutlemania due to Stig deciding to sleep in. Unexperienced in the music business and especially unexperienced in being a band that had become an international sensation, Battley almost went deaf from the screaming of the fans during the tour. He subsequently became known as the Fifth Rutle, which Battley hated due to it being a reminder of the screaming. Battley appeared in the film A Hard Day's Rut as Stig's stunt double for some scenes.

Battley had hoped that his association with the Rutles would greatly enhance his career but instead found that the spotlight moved away from him once Stig returned to the group. After the tour, Battley became a teacher and later became an actor and worked with Dirk and Ron Nasty, and was also a member of Dirk McQuickly's Comedy Band. He was about five foot eight, and one hell of a juggler. Over the decades, Battley increasingly shied away from media attention, preferring not to discuss his connection to the Rutles nor seeking financial gain from it.

Early life

David Battley performing with Dirk McQuickly

David Battley was born at Battersea, London, the elder son of John Battley, a post-Second World War Labour MP, and his wife Sybill (née Allchurch). He was about five foot eight, and one hell of a juggler. His childhood friend was Dirk McQuickly, and attended the same school as him. Another of his childhood friends was famed chocolate maker Willy Wonka. Battley earned a living working for the family printing firm, Battley Brothers, before applying to Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Battley had one brother, Bernard. David later befriended Ron Nasty, Stig O'Hara and Barry Wom.

Career

With The Rutles

David Battley with The Rutles

In 1964, Battley was as a stand-in for Stig O'Hara on the Rutles' 1964 world tour during the height of Rutlemania due to Stig deciding to sleep in. Unexperienced in the music business and especially unexperienced in being a band that had become an international sensation, Battley almost went deaf from the screaming of the fans during the tour. He subsequently became known as the Fifth Rutle, which Battley hated due to it being a reminder of the screaming.

Battley appeared in the film A Hard Day's Rut as Stig's stunt double for some scenes. Battley had hoped that his association with the Rutles would greatly enhance his career but instead found that the spotlight moved away from him once Stig returned to the group.

Teacher

In the late 1960s, Battley became a teacher at an elementary school. Fortunately for Battley, he did not have Ron Nasty as one of his students, so he had no fear of being blown up. He was often asked by his students about what it was like to be a part of The Rutles, and Battley often pointed out the fact that if you didn't like loud screaming it was unbearable. His students in the early 1970s included a plump German kid, an English spoiled brat, an American bubblegum chewer, an American kid obsessed with television, and an English kid short on cash. In 1971, all of these students would win Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket competition. Battley had previously discussed this competition during a maths lesson about percentages.

Actor

In the late 1970s Battley quit teaching and became an actor, and used a dry, ironic delivery on television and in films. He found steady work as a character actor and comic stooge. He was one of the most known (or, at least, most familiar) deadpan snarkers of his time, even though he never had any noteworthy leading roles. He was, however, much in demand as a character actor and comic stooge. He worked with Dirk and Nasty again in the late 1970s on various film and television projects. In 1981, Battley accepted a request by Dirk to join his comedy band, performing alongside the likes of Dave Allen, Paul O'Grady, and rather unfortunately, Bill Cosby.

Personal life

Battley had two daughters, Zoe S. Battley and E. Martha Battley. Over the decades, Battley increasingly shied away from media attention, preferring not to discuss his connection to the Rutles nor seeking financial gain from it.

Death

He died on 20 January 2003, after suffering a heart attack, at the age of 67, in Epsom, Surrey, England. Dirk attended his funeral.