Former stand-up comedian who turned to straight acting in the 1960s.
Reached number 35 in the UK singles chart with a
version of "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life", on which he was
backed by the Coronation Street (1960) cast. The song was released to celebrate the
series' 35th anniversary. (December 1995)
When he was a ukelele-playing comedian (who featured on BBC radio shows such as "Ack Ack Beer Beer" for the anti-aircraft and barrage balloon sections of the armed forces during WWII), Bill's agent was the legendary impresario Lew Grade.