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1-50 of 191
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Kenny Baker was born on 24 August 1934 in Birmingham, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Time Bandits (1981), Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) and The Elephant Man (1980). He was married to Eileen Baker. He died on 13 August 2016 in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK.- Jacqueline Pearce was born on 20 December 1943 in Byfleet, Surrey, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Blake's 7 (1978), Doctor Who (1963) and David Copperfield (1974). She was married to Drewe Henley and Michael Rudman. She died on 3 September 2018 in Lancashire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Don Estelle was born on 22 May 1933 in Manchester, England, UK. He was an actor, known for It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1974), Not Now, Comrade (1976) and Dad's Army (1968). He was married to Elizabeth Amy Brent and Mary Heywood. He died on 2 August 2003 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, UK.- Ray Mort was born on 10 January 1926 in Bury, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982), The Good Companions (1980) and Doomwatch (1970). He died on 4 July 1994 in Bury, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Music Department
- Writer
Born George Hoy Booth in Wigan, Lancashire on 26 May 1904, he later took his father's stage name of George Formby. He briefly attended school where he failed to learn to read or write so was removed from formal education and sent to become a stable boy in Middleham, North Yorkshire, where he later became an apprentice jockey. In 1915 with the closure of the English racing season because of the First World War he moved to Ireland and continued as a jockey until the end of hostilities. Returning to England he raced for Lord Derby's Newmarket stables where he never won a race. Following his father's death in 1921 he gave his professional two week appearance at the Hippodrome in Lancashire where he was paid £5 a week and soon after hired to appear on the Moss Empire chain of theatres at £17 10 shillings a week. Touring around venues in Northern England his act didn't go down well resulting in bouts of unemployment. In 1923 he made two career changing decisions - he bought a ukulele and married Beryl Ingham, an Acrington, Lancashire, born champion champion clog dancer and actress who transformed his act. She insisted he appear on stage formally dressed and introduce his ukulele to his performance.. By June 1926 he'd started his recording career and from 1934 he was increasingly working in films developing into a major star by the late '30's and becoming the U.K.'s most popular and highest paid entertainer. During WWII he worked extensively for the ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) entertaining civilians and troops and touring factories, theatres and concert halls. By 1946 it was estimated that he had performed in front of three million service personnel. After the war his career declined although he toured the commonwealth and continued to appear in variety and pantomime. His last television appearance was in December 1960, two weeks before the death of Beryl. Seven weeks after her funeral he announced his engagement to a school teacher but died in Preston three weeks later at the age of 56. He was buried in Warrington alongside his father.- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Robert Harper (Bobby Ball) and Thomas Derbyshire (Tommy Cannon) were both born in Oldham. They met in the early 1960s while working as welders in the same factory. Becoming friends, they formed a club act known as "Bobby and Stevie Rhythm", which became the Sherrell Brothers, then The Harper Brothers. Initially they were a vocal duo, but over time started to introduce more comedy into their act. They turned professional in the late 1960s, and eventually changed their name to Cannon and Ball.
Their first TV appearance was on "Opportunity Knocks" in 1968, where they came in last. Other early TV work included appearances on The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club (1974) during the 1970s. However, during this time their work remained predominantly in clubs and theaters. Their last TV series was in 1991, by which time tastes had changed and they were not as popular on TV. They continued their theatre summer seasons and pantomimes, where they still drew large audiences. Guest appearances on television continued.
Although things seemed to be going well in the 1980s, things off-stage were darker. Over the years they had gradually estranged to the extent that they no longer spoke to one another except when work demanded. Bobby was drinking heavily, womanizing, and had gained a reputation for violence. In 1986, Ball became a Christian, as did Cannon in 1992. During the 1990s and 2000s, the duo continued working, with theatre tours, summer shows, pantomimes and TV appearances keeping them busy. They performed regular Christian concerts and "evening with..." shows where they spoke about their lives and faith.- John Comer was born on 1 March 1924 in Manchester, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Last of the Summer Wine (1973), Emmerdale Farm (1972) and The Family Way (1966). He died on 11 February 1984 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Derek Acorah was born on 27 January 1950 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Big Fat Gypsy Gangster (2011), Doctor Who (2005) and Crispy's Curse (2017). He was married to Gwen Acorah, Barbara Keeton and Joan Hughes. He died on 3 January 2020 in Bootle, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Bunny Doyle was born in 1895 in Hull, Humberside, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Facing the Music (1941) and Hard Up and Happy (1937). He died on 27 August 1955 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Roderick Shaw was born on 30 June 1958 in Chelsea, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Adventures of Black Beauty (1972), The Pallisers (1974) and Journey to the Unknown (1968). He died in April 1996 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Tony Melody played character parts in many of Britain's most popular TV shows, including Coronation Street (1960), Emmerdale Farm (1972) and Last of the Summer Wine (1973). For 15 years he played the neighbour, Mr. Higginbottom, in The Clitheroe Kid on BBC radio. Melody's long, hangdog face also earned him comedy cameos in Steptoe and Son (1962), Heartbeat (1992), City Central (1998), and Where the Heart Is (1997). Melody also worked in stage shows and films. His big break came with Yanks (1979) starring Richard Gere. Sudden fame came his way when he appeared in a TV McDonald's campaign in 2002. His broadcasting break came in the BBC's North Region in 1955 with What Makes A Star? - a showcase for new talent. His first network television was in 1957 in the Hylda Baker comedy series Be Soon (1957). In the 1980s he was regular on Bergerac (1981), Dalziel and Pascoe (1996). An unassuming man who was shy offscreen and rarely gave interviews. Melody's first marriage was dissolved and in 1972 he married Maggie, a former dancer he met in Skegness. They lived happily ever after.
- Actor
- Writer
Jim Bowen is an English actor, stand-up comedian and TV personality.
He is best known as the long-time host of the ITV game show Bullseye, which he hosted from its beginning in September 1981 until the end of its 14th series in July 1995.
Bowen has also appeared in TV dramas and comedies. He played a crooked accountant in ITV's 1982 drama Muck and Brass, and later guest starred in BBC1's Jonathan Creek and Channel 4's Phoenix Nights.
In 1999, Bowen began presenting on BBC Radio Lancashire.- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Violet Carson was born on 1 September 1898 in German Street, Ancoats, Manchester, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Coronation Street (1960), An Age of Kings (1960) and Hilda Lessways (1959). She was married to George Frederick Peploe. She died on 26 December 1983 in Cleveleys, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.- Eileen Baker was born on 11 June 1947 in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) and Wombling Free (1977). She was married to Kenny Baker. She died on 23 September 1993 in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Keith started in show business at the early age of 9 in a comedy act with his father. Two years later when his father retired Keith couldn't find a partner to be a straight man so decided to be a ventriloquist. His father bought him his first 'doll' but after the string broke in the middle of his act he decided to make his own characters. he's had Orville since 1977 and Cuddles since 1967.- Colin Bean was born on 15 April 1926 in Wigan, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Dad's Army (1971), The Gnomes of Dulwich (1969) and Dad's Army (1968). He died on 20 June 2009 in Wigan, Lancashire, England, UK.
- He was in a play at Stockport's Theatre Royal when he met 'Teddy', who had been training at the Manchester Ballet School, and had gone back stage . They were married some months later when he was in rep in Halifax. He was called up for war service in June 1940, just after their 3rd child had been born, and spent 5 years with the 1st Battalion Loyals Regiment serving in North Africa and Demobbed as a corporal he returned to rep but with productions often not being forth coming was forced to take other work such as working on building sites, and in an ice cream factory, 3 years delivering bread and a year running a Manchester pub, which was a disaster. In between he managed to get small parts on television then in 1958 he got a staff job with Granada Television as an announcer and did the first announcement for the opening episode of Coronation Street little knowing that some years hence he would be appearing in it. He's married with 5 children - Brian,Ann,Peter, Diana and Michael. His father was a diamond cutter with a jewellery firm.
- Kay Purcell was born on 6 December 1963 in Leyland, Lancashire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Emmerdale Farm (1972), Tracy Beaker Returns (2010) and Coronation Street (1960). She died on 23 December 2020 in Lancashire, England, UK.
- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Peter Eckersley was born on 7 April 1936 in Leigh, Lancashire, England, UK. He was a producer and writer, known for Wood and Walters (1981), Coronation Street (1960) and Hard Times (1977). He was married to Anne Reid and Eileen Wilson. He died on 27 August 1981 in Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK.- Gordon Langford Rowe was born on 23 September 1936 in Chorley, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Emmerdale Farm (1972), The Advocate (1993) and Coronation Street (1960). He was married to Dorothy Rowe. He died on 26 August 2007 in Chorley, Lancashire, England, UK.
- John Pedrick was born on 27 November 1947 in Hackney, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983), The Sign of Four (1983) and Meet Ricky Gervais (2000). He died on 12 December 2005 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Meg Johnson was born on 30 September 1936 in Manchester, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Emmerdale Farm (1972), The Good Companions (1980) and Coronation Street (1960). She was married to Charles Foster and (Arthur) Hibbert Johnson. She died on 1 July 2023 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Producer
- Editor
- Director
John Irwin was born on 13 December 1912 in Dublin, Ireland. He was a producer and editor, known for Badger's Green (1949), A Piece of Cake (1948) and Kaleidoscope (1946). He was married to Philippa Hiatt. He died on 23 October 1976 in Salford, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK.- Norman McGlen was born on 17 June 1911 in Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Tomorrow People (1973), Moviemakers (1971) and Casanova (1971). He died on 6 May 1976 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Elizabeth Lax was born on 8 February 1950 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Likely Lads (1976), Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (1973) and Coronation Street (1960). She was married to Christopher Buckley. She died on 25 June 1996 in Newhey, Rochdale, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Bert Palmer was born on 22 April 1900 in Easingwold, Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for A Kind of Loving (1962), The Avengers (1961) and Nearest and Dearest (1968). He was married to Lynne Carol. He died on 15 January 1980 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Frank Carson was born on 11 June 1926 in Belfast, County Down, Northern Ireland, UK. He was an actor, known for Wild About Harry (2000), Dick Dickman P.I. (2008) and Under and Over (1971). He was married to Ruth Carson. He died on 22 February 2012 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Tony Tenser was born on 10 August 1920 in London, England, UK. He was a producer and writer, known for Repulsion (1965), Cul-de-sac (1966) and The Tomcat (1967). He died on 5 December 2007 in Southport, Lancashire, England, UK.- Thomas Gallagher was born in 1898 in Germany. He was an actor, known for The Plank (1967), The Saint's Girl Friday (1953) and BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950). He was married to Rose Power. He died on 28 October 1967 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Joan St. Clair was born on 29 June 1925 in Streatham, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Paris Express (1952). She was married to Mark Raffles. She died on 25 December 2009 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Paul Rosebury was born on 21 March 1955 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Quatermass Conclusion (1979), Quatermass (1979) and Emmerdale Farm (1972). He died in 1995 in Garstang, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Lynne Carol was born on 29 June 1914 in Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. She was an actress, known for Coronation Street (1960), The War of Darkie Pilbeam (1968) and Yanks (1979). She was married to Bert Palmer. She died on 30 June 1990 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Harry Graves was born on 16 November 1913 in Romford, Essex, England, UK. He died on 24 August 1994 in Lancashire, England, UK.
- Reiss Jarvis was born in September 2000 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Murdered for Being Different (2017). He died on 10 November 2021 in Delph, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Frank Randle was born on 30 January 1901 in Wigan, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Somewhere in Civvies (1943), It's a Grand Life (1953) and Somewhere in England (1940). He was married to May Annie Victoria Douglas. He died on 7 July 1957 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.- Mo Moreland was born on 30 November 1936 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Coronation Street (1960), New Faces (1973) and The Little and Large Show (1978). She was married to Roy Moreland. She died on 15 December 2023 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Dan Cunningham was born on 1 January 1917 in Beverly, Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Mulberry Accelerator (1955), Richard III (1955) and The Six Proud Walkers (1954). He was married to Rosalie Crutchley. He died in September 2001 in Lancashire, England, UK.
- Animation Department
- Director
- Producer
John was wounded in WWII, while serving in the British Army "Desert Rats", in North Africa. Being a graphic artist, on return to England, he started as asst. art director at Pinewood Studio, with David Lean. Seeing a note on the studio notice board asking for cartoonists and artists to apply at GBA, Cookham, for work as animators, John applied, and was accepted. Here, under David Hand, (ex Disney director of Snow-White, Bambi), he worked for four years, becoming a first rate animator and director. GBA closed, John moved to US, and Disney, working on Peter Pan, and Lady & the Tramp, in Les Clark's unit. In 1954 he left Disney to start Fine Arts Films producing Petroushka (1956) with I. Stravinsky, winning five international awards, starting a new artistic direction in the use of animation. Journey to the Stars, (1961), seen by 7 million visitors to the Seattle World's Fair, was a major step, and animating Irma La Douce (trailer), for Billy Wilder, made it possible to enjoy the artistic merits of Paris hookers. He started John Wilson Prods., for Aussie TV in Melbourne, 1963, in a brief visit down under. Back with FAF, in '64, John got the Peabody award for NBC's Exploring, as the Best Kid's Show. This led to ten years work for US-TV, (CBS, ABC, NBC) in children's and primetime entertainment. In 1971 he produced and directed the animated feature Shinbone Alley (1970), a literary and musical success based on the works of poet Don Marquis. This received the Golden Phoenix Award at the Atlanta Film Festival, (Best of Fest). For the next ten years, John produced many award-winning TV series, (Madeline-DIC), Bucky O'Hare and Peter Pan for FOX-TV. Stanley the Ugly Duckling (1/2 Hour Musical for ABC-TV. Returning to OZ, in '83, John set Ferngully for AFC, as an animated feature, which successfully protected the rainforests, released by Warner Bros. At present, John is working on the musical version of Peer Gynt.- Herbert Ramskill was born on 29 May 1913 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Red Letter Day (1976), Emmerdale Farm (1972) and A Divorce (1976). He was married to Valerie Patricia Roskams. He died on 4 June 1977 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Beginning 2 years after his death, Smith has been the subject of various reports and investigations into alleged sexual abuse of young boys. The BBC reports that he was alleged to have abused youngsters who were residents of various children's homes, including in London, and his own home town of Rochdale, for which he was the MP.
The police opened an investigation in January 2013. His conduct had previously been looked into as early as 1970, with the police at the time deciding that a conviction was 'unlikely'. One of his accusers blames the political establishment for "turning a blind eye" to his conduct. - Basil Soper was born in 1937 in the UK. He was an actor, known for The Basil Brush Show (2002), The Les Dennis Laughter Show (1987) and Bad Medicine: The Human Cost of Animal Experiments (2007). He died on 1 June 2013 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Meg Dawson was born on 20 April 1937 in the UK. She was married to Les Dawson. She died on 15 April 1986 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Dorothy Boyd was born on 8 May 1907 in Sanderstead, Surrey, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Easy Virtue (1927), Virginia's Husband (1934) and The Constant Nymph (1928). She died in 1996 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.
- With his flat cap, droll line in delivery and catch-phrase "I won't take me coat off - I'm not stopping!" Ken Platt was one of the last links with music hall and variety in Great Britain. Born in Leigh, Lancashire, Platt decided to become a comedian at the age of just 15. He bought a ukelele and performed at local concert parties where he was billed as 'the Pocket George Formby', in homage to his idol.
He joined the Army in 1942 and was posted to North Africa where he appeared in a concert party, The Forest Mummers. Demobbed five years later he tried his hand at showbusiness with little succes and so, disillusioned bought a grocery store in his home town.
A chance audition with the BBC in 1950 led to him being eventually asked to be resident comedian on the BBC's popular radio show Variety Fanfare. It was on radio that Platt was in his true element with his immaculate timing, brilliant ad-libbing.
Variety Fanfare ran for two years and made Platt a household name. He was a guest comedian on numerous radio variety shows and later topped the bill in pantomimes and summer seasons throughout Great Britain. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s he was a regular guest star on television programmes such as Big Night Out, Spot the Tune and The Liver Birds. He evoked considerable nostalgia by a memorable appearance on BBC's The Good Old Days using much of his material from his days on steam radio. - Arthur Worsley was known in showbusiness circles as 'The Godfather of Ventriloquism.' A brilliant ventriloquist he topped the bills in the heydays of British variety both on stage and in numerous television shows. Unlike other vent acts who relied on cross-talk with their comic 'dummy' Worsley remained silent and let his dummy, provide the irascible patter. On stage Worsley was a faceless character with few expressions and it was his dummy, Charlie Brown, who dominated the act with his forceful personality. He would criticise Worsley's appearance and jibe him with remarks such as 'Turn me round son!' and 'Look at me when I'm talking to you!'
Worsley began performing as a ventriloquist at the age of 11 when he began appearing in variety shows in Manchester billed as 'The World's youngest ventriloquist.' By the age of 14 he had turned professional.
By the 1940s, under the management of Lew and Leslie Grade, Worsley was one of the highest paid performers in Britain. He appeared in ten variety seasons at the London Palladium sharing the bill with stars such as Max Miller, Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields and he was a favourite in cabaret at London's top hotels.
In the 1950s and 1960s he toured Australia, Canada and while in New York became an unexpected hit on television talk shows. An appearance on the top rating Ed Sullivan Show prompted the host to remark "Arthur Worsley is setting the pace - he must be the best vent in the world."
The comedian Barry Cryer persuaded Worsley to appear in several episodes of the British tv comedy show Joker's Wild. Soon after he retired to Blackpool. Fans often wrote to him simply addressing the envelope 'to The World's Greatest Ventriloquist, Blackpool.' The letters were always delivered to Worsley's home. - Roland Brand was born on 29 November 1929 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was an actor, known for Lolita (1962), BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950) and Fear Is the Key (1972). He died in 1984 in Wigan, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Ernest Tomlinson was born on 19 September 1924 in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, England, UK. He is known for Skin (2018), Driveways (2019) and Behind the Attraction (2021). He was married to Jean Garnett Lancaster. He died on 12 June 2015 in Longridge, Lancashire, England, UK.- Actor
- Music Department
- Writer
Joe Longthorne was born on 31 May 1955 in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for The Joe Longthorne Show (1988), Granada Reports (1992) and The Nineteenth Hole (1989). He was married to James Moran. He died on 3 August 2019 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.- Andrew Laurence was born on 1 December 1909 in Walesby, Lincolnshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Home Tonight (1961), Macbeth (1971) and Strangler's Morgue (1946). He was married to Ann Rye. He died on 5 June 1996 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK.
- Perceval Clarke was born on 25 November 1881 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Nance (1920). He was married to Jean Cadell. He died on 6 June 1938 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, UK.