The surreal sketch group played a hugely important role in the development of Alternative Comedy. 

Founded by Martin Soan and soon after joined by the late, great Godfather of Alternative Comedy Malcolm Hardee. The Legs were a regular feature at Hardee's Tunnel Palladium in Woolwich, alongside the likes of Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson. Soon afterwards, in 1979, The Comedy Store opened in Soho and The Greatest Show on Legs became regulars there, too. Their breakthrough came in 1982, when they performed their naked balloon dance on Chris Tarrant's anarchic late-night TV show O.T.T.

The Greatest Show on Legs was originally a one man Punch & Judy Show started by Martin Soan as a teenager. The name came about because Martin found that if he wore his puppet booth over his shoulders and had his stockinged legs sticking out of the bottom he could easily carry the show from pub to pub. This bizarre arrangement gave a very distinctive look but also enabled him to scarper from the law if necessary. Malcolm Hardee, fresh out of jail, became Martin's bottle man and driver and the The Legs soon evolved into a surreal sketch comedy group with an ever changing line up.

Honorary Legs include: Simon Munnery, Keith Allen, Dave Bagpipe Brookes, Chris Lynam, Arthur Smith, Sir Ralph, Keith Chegwin, Terry Alderton, Adam Bloom, Steve Bowditch etc. 

The legs are regularly asked to reform for events such as Up The Creek’s 20th Birthday, Stewart Lee’s celecration of Alternative Comedy at Royal Festival Hall, PBH Free Fringe launch at Bloomsbury Theatre, Leicester Square Theatre etc. The Balloon Dance is a staple of the Legs but Martin Soan continues write and perform many new sketches... The latter day legs have included some of the latest alternative freaks such as Dr Brown, Bob Slayer, Holly Burn etc

The Greatest Show On Legs first appearance on OTT.

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