Carson became a popular performer on Irish television, before moving to England to work as a stand-up club comedian. He had success on the long-running television music-hall revival show, "The Good Old Days". He then went on to win the peak-viewing national favourite talent show "Opportunity Knocks", presented by Hughie Green, three times. He was one of the more prominent acts on "The Comedians" alongside the likes of Charlie Williams, Bernard Manning, Mike Reid and Jim Bowen. The show consisted of 30 minutes of non-stop stand-up comedy from several comedians in each show, became a ratings hit in the United Kingdom and helped establish Carson's performing career.