ADA SHUFFLEBOTHAM T-SHIRT

A classic comedy t-shirt available in black or white cotton.

In curlers, cardigans, and whispered scandal, Ada Shufflebotham became a legend of British comedy — the no-nonsense northern matron immortalised by Les Dawson in his brilliant double act with Roy Barraclough. Alongside her friend Cissie Braithwaite, Ada turned gossip into theatre and innuendo into art. Their kitchen-table confessions and pursed-lip pauses became national treasures — sketches that managed to be both wildly funny and deeply human.

The Ada Shufflebotham T-Shirt pays tribute to Dawson’s masterful creation — a celebration of the drag tradition done with warmth, intelligence, and perfect comedic precision. Behind the jokes and gentle smut lay a love letter to real working-class women — mothers, neighbours, and friends who made humour their survival strategy.

“The pause… the look… the sheer filth of it — all done with dignity.” — Les Dawson on Cissie & Ada

Hellwood’s design captures that essence perfectly: part BBC nostalgia, part cabaret cheek, with a vintage typographic flourish that wouldn’t look out of place on a 1970s variety show poster. It’s a salute to a vanished era of comedy — when timing was everything, the audience was in on the joke, and laughter came with a wink.

For fans of Les Dawson, classic sketch comedy, and the glorious absurdity of the “Cissie and Ada” sketches, this tee is pure heritage humour — sharp, loving, and unmistakably British.

💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Q1: Who was Ada Shufflebotham?
A1: Ada Shufflebotham was a beloved comedy character portrayed by Les Dawson. Alongside Roy Barraclough’s Cissie Braithwaite, she appeared in numerous sketches on British TV from the 1970s to the 1990s, parodying northern working-class women with affectionate precision.

Q2: What made the “Cissie and Ada” sketches so iconic?
A2: The duo’s exaggerated gossip sessions, subtle innuendo, and perfect comic timing became hallmarks of British humour — a camp yet compassionate celebration of everyday conversation and character.

Q3: Why does Hellwood celebrate Ada Shufflebotham?
A3: Because Ada represents the best of British wit: sharp, honest, and human. She’s the bridge between music hall tradition and modern satire — the kind of character who could silence a room with a raised eyebrow.