I saw Bernard several times at the Embassy in the early 90s and he put on a good night. He gave new cabaret turns an opportunity to try out and he wasn't a bad singer himself. His reputation for racist jokes was well founded but he wasn't a 'one trick pony' and the audience was always quite diverse; mixed parties, female groups and members of the BAME community. One night he introduced two members of the audience as Falklands veterans who fought valiantly at Goose Green. Everyone went wild, applauding the two bemused Pakistani boys he'd pointed out in the crowd. As the applause died down he said, "mind you, they're fcuking Argentinian." The place erupted and they both got a free pint on the house.
He didn't confine his humour to race. The following are a few examples:
1. Pointing out a crucifix in a Catholic Club, Bernard says, "I see you caught the ba5tard who burgled the place last month."
2. Addressing two middle-aged women in the audience, Bernard says, "If you combined all the c0ck these two girls have had, you could make a hand rail for the Isle of Man."
3. Addressing a man in the audience with a big nose who is suffering with a cold, Bernard says, "If you need to blow your nose again, let me know because I'm closer than you."
Race, religion, gender, big noses, Bernard didn't leave anyone out.