Scots entertainers The Krankies have opened up about their private lives, admitting to a swinging lifestyle in the 1970s and 80s. Ian and Janette Tough, both 64, made the confession during an interview on BBC Radio Scotland, describing their relationship as 'active' with an 'anywhere, anytime' attitude.
The couple, famous for their roles on children's TV show Crackerjack, revealed they occasionally had 'ding dongs' with other people. Janette, known for playing schoolboy Wee Jimmy Krankie, recounted a romantic encounter on their small boat that nearly saw them end up in France. Ian added that their wildest antics occurred during their peak fame in the 1980s, when they felt they were missing out on the fun around them.
The pair insisted their swinging was consensual and not behind each other's backs, but they eventually stopped due to concerns about jealousy. They noted that their activities escaped media attention, a stark contrast to today's press scrutiny. 'In those days people were very good,' Ian said.
In a separate anecdote, Ian recalled punching magician Paul Daniels in a bar after a show in Jersey. 'I just went bang and he went off the chair and the whole bar applauded,' Ian said, attributing the punch to a contradiction Daniels made.
The Krankies rose to fame on Crackerjack and later hosted The Krankies Club on ITV. They have become panto regulars, but took a break after Janette's fall from a 10ft mechanical platform at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre in 2004. She subsequently battled depression and stage fright, with Ian noting that her mental recovery was the biggest challenge.
