BLACK Country comedy group The Fizzogs celebrated a year of success after success by hosting a reception for their dedicated supporters.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho and his wife Jayne, were guests of honour at the bash at Dudley's Old Glasshouse on Friday (January 15) which was attended by representatives from companies across the borough who have backed the group.

The Fizzogs, founded by Sue Hawkins, Deb Nicholls and Jacky Fellows, reached a global audience during 2015 with their hilarious 'Dancing Grannies' routine which attracted 118 million views on various Facebook and YouTube accounts.

They also proved a smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last August and performed to a sell-out auditorium at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre as well taking their stage shows around the Black Country.

They even now have their own show on Black Country Radio.

Dudley's Mayor, Cllr Waltho, said: “The Fizzogs have helped put the Black Country on the map and we are very proud of them. We first saw them at Wordsley Festival last year and when they stepped on stage to do their Dancing Grannies routine they lit up the whole event.

“The great thing about them is that they are down to earth, wonderful girls off the stage but when they start to perform they are so immensely talented.”

Holden’s Brewery created a Fizzog beer last year to commemorate the group’s success and helped finance their trip to perform at the Edinburgh Festival.

Chairman Tessa Holden said: “We invited them to our 100-year celebration event and they brought the house down. They had just travelled back from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and must have been exhausted but they were absolutely wonderful.”

John Woodard, of C and D Demolition Consultancy, said: “The Black Country has a particular humour and the Fizzogs capture it perfectly. Our company is happy to support them and we are sure they will go on to further success in the future.”

Fizzog Sue Hawkins said: “This has been our most successful year and we are thrilled with all the support we have had.

“To think 118 million from all corners of the world have seen us perform. We have to find a way of capitalising on that. We are looking for extra areas of funding so we can take the success story onto a new level.

“We will be back at the Edinburgh Fringe again this year and are still available for bookings during 2016.”

During the reception the Fizzogs were presented with a painting by Black Country based artist Keith Turley who captured them on canvas as the Dancing Grannies.

Keith, from the Dudley Society of Artists, said: “I saw a picture of them on Facebook and thought they made an ideal subject. I’m delighted that they have achieved so much success.”

Other companies who have backed the group include: Ma Pardoes (The Old Swan), the Black Country Living Museum, The Meadow Lark Pub in Gornal, Black Country Kitchens, Black Country Radio, Changing Rooms, The Old Glasshouse, Brian Yeates Entertainment, Dudley Building Society, Compton Hospice and Black Country T-Shirts.

For more information about forthcoming Fizzog shows and events go to http://www.thefizzogs.com/