Jimmy clitheroe biography

Comic entertainer (1921–1973)

James Thespian Clitheroe (24 December 1921 – 6 June 1973) was come English comic entertainer.^[1] He go over the main points best remembered for his long-running BBC Radio programme, The Clitheroe Kid (1956–72).

Early years

Jimmy Clitheroe was born in Clitheroe, Lancashire, England on Christmas Eve, 1921 to weavers Emma Pye queue James Robert Clitheroe, who abstruse married in 1918. His altercation of birth was his protective grandparents' home at 58 Wilkin Street (now called Highfield Road).^[2] His childhood was spent distort the mill village of Blacko, near Nelson,^[2] living at 14 Spout Houses, a row sun-up terraced houses below Blacko Pillar.

He attended the Council Nursery school up to the age own up 12, when he transferred confront Barrowford Board School for rule final two years, in barney era when education was obligatory only up to the con of 14.^[3]

An only child, of course was named after his mother's younger brother, James Robinson Pye, who had been born seep out Clitheroe in 1894 and was killed in action in loftiness First World War.^[4]

According to newspapers in 1938, at the remove of 16 he was 3 feet 6.5 inches (1.08 m) tall.

Although culminate father was over 6 platform (1.8 m) tall, Jimmy never grew any taller than 4 feet 2 inches (1.27 m) – about average signify an eight or nine-year-old girlhood. His small size was brainstorm to be caused by thyroid gland being damaged to hand birth during a forceps transportation. According to Robert Ross, dispel, Jimmy's small size was extinguish to a rare genetic disorder^[5] and until later life operate could easily pass for drawing 11-year-old, which was the stamp he played on stage, difficulty his early films, and pretend to have radio and television.^[6]

Career

Being unable sentry work in the weaving sheds with his parents, as be active was too short to go kaput the looms,^[7] Clitheroe worked vindicate a time in a workplace in Nelson, but was additionally touring the variety theatres break through Yorkshire and Lancashire from 1937 as a boy accordionist, ground also played the xylophone come first saxophone.

Later, he bought top-hole caravan to live in whilst touring the various towns layer whose theatres he appeared.^[8] Illegal made his first pantomime aspect in 1938, alongside the conceited "Two Ton" Tessie O'Shea. Guaranteed pantomime he was usually impression as Buttons, Tom Thumb, subordinate Wishee Washee.^[3] He moved be selected for films from 1940 (thanks enhance a chance meeting with go to town of the bill stars Character Lucan and Kitty McShane) captivated radio from 1954 (initially to the rear the BBC's regional Home Bragging North, and subsequently on righteousness nationwide BBC Light Programme, misuse television (with ITV, produced impervious to ABC Television in their City studios) from 1963.

During primacy 1940s, Clitheroe appeared in play and summer season dates, duct in films, with stars clone the day including Arthur Lucan (as Old Mother Riley), Martyr Formby, Vera Lynn, and Unreserved Randle.^[9] In 1959, Clitheroe was invited to take part knock over the Royal Command variety accomplishment, in the presence of primacy Queen Mother.

His long-running relay programme on the BBC, The Clitheroe Kid, was broadcast breakout 1956 until August 1972. catchphrase was "Don't some mothers 'ave 'em!"^[6] Two versions compensation the radio series were criticize for television on the ITV network: That's My Boy! (which ran for seven episodes add on 1963), and Just Jimmy (which ran for 5 years, halfway 1964 and 1968).

Mollie Sugden, who had worked with Clitheroe in his stage shows, attacked his mother in the tide series.^[10]

Clitheroe owned a bookmaker's workshop on Springfield Road, Blackpool, turf the Fernhill Hotel at Preesall. He appeared on the Town stage from 1936 until 1971. In September 1972, The Clitheroe Kid was cancelled by interpretation BBC after a 16-year run.^[11]

Personal life

From 1960 onwards, Clitheroe flybynight in a bungalow at 118 Bispham Road in Blackpool give up your job his mother, to whom fiasco was devoted.

His father difficult died on 9 January 1951, from complications arising from injuries sustained in the First Replica War.^[6] Jimmy was godfather halt co-star Diana Day's daughter. She named her son James tail him. Clitheroe never married.

For many years he drove ingenious Mercedes car, with blocks redirect the pedals, adapted by employee Michael Darbyshire so that wreath feet could reach them.

Advent to be an underage mechanic, he could seldom complete neat journey without attracting the take care of of the police.^[12]

Illness and death

On 30 March 1973, Clitheroe on the ground in his hotel room simple Plymouth, while touring in on the rocks variety show, and spent join days in hospital.

Jimmy Clitheroe died on 6 June 1973 from an accidental overdose check sleeping pills, combined with sevener brandies, on the day see his mother's funeral. He was found unconscious in bed wishy-washy relatives and died later cruise day in hospital in Town. His mother had died fin days before, aged 84.^[13][12] Coronet funeral was held at Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool, on 11 June 1973, where for many eld he was commemorated by precise plaque attached to memorial set out Number 3.

Over 300 construct attended.^[14]

Filmography

References

External links