Jimmy Clitheroe - Revision history

Kurt at 21:53, 20 December 2022

2022-12-20T21:53:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:53, 20 December 2022
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	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2017}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=May 2012}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Jimmy Clitheroe		\| name = Jimmy Clitheroe
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	\| caption = Jimmy Clitheroe		\| caption = Jimmy Clitheroe
	\| birth_name = James Robinson Clitheroe		\| birth_name = James Robinson Clitheroe
	\| birth_date = {{birth date~~\|df=y~~\|1921\|12\|24}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1921\|12\|24\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[Clitheroe]], [[Lancashire]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Clitheroe]], [[w:Lancashire\|Lancashire]], England
	\| death_date = {{death date and age~~\|df=y~~\|1973\|06\|06\|1921\|12\|24}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1973\|06\|06\|1921\|12\|24\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = [[Blackpool]], Lancashire, England		\| death_place = [[w:Blackpool\|Blackpool]], Lancashire, England
	\| resting_place = [[Carleton Crematorium and Cemetery]], Blackpool, Lancashire, England		\| resting_place = [[w:Carleton Crematorium and Cemetery\|Carleton Crematorium and Cemetery]], Blackpool, Lancashire, England
	\| occupation = Comedian, actor, musician		\| occupation = Comedian, actor, musician
	\| height = {{convert\|4\|ft\|2\|in\|m}}		\| height = {{convert\|4\|ft\|2\|in\|m}}
	}}		}}

	'''James Robinson Clitheroe''' (24 December 1921 – 6 June 1973) was an English comic entertainer.<ref>JIMMY CLITHEROE Popular radio entertainer. ''[[The Times]]'' Thursday, 7 June 1973; pg. 21; Issue 58802</ref> He is best remembered for his long-running [[BBC Radio]] programme, ''[[The Clitheroe Kid]]'' (1956–72).		'''James Robinson Clitheroe''' (24 December 1921 – 6 June 1973) was an English comic entertainer.<ref>JIMMY CLITHEROE Popular radio entertainer. ''[[w:The Times\|The Times]]'' Thursday, 7 June 1973; pg. 21; Issue 58802</ref> He is best remembered for his long-running [[w:BBC Radio\|BBC Radio]] programme, ''[[The Clitheroe Kid]]'' (1956–72).

	==Early years==		==Early years==
	Jimmy Clitheroe was born in [[Clitheroe]], [[Lancashire]], England on Christmas Eve 1921 to [[Weaving\|weaver]]s Emma Pye and James Robert Clitheroe, who had married in 1918. His place of birth was his maternal grandparents' home at 58 Wilkin Street (now called Highfield Road).<ref name=LT>{{Cite news \|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1405865.research_reveals_life_of_clitheroe_kid/ \|title=Research reveals life of 'Clitheroe Kid' \|author=Gill Johnson \|date=17 May 2007 \|work=Lancashire Telegraph \|publisher=Newquest \|accessdate=24 September 2015}}</ref> His childhood was spent in the mill village of [[Blacko]], near [[Nelson, Lancashire\|Nelson]],<ref name=LT/> living at 14 Spout Houses, a row of terraced houses below Blacko Tower. He attended the Council School up to the age of 12, when he transferred to [[Barrowford]] Board School for his final two years, in an era when education was compulsory only up to the age of 14.<ref name="blackpoolpostcards.co.uk">{{Cite web\|url=http://www.blackpoolpostcards.co.uk/2012/10/famous-blackpool-entertainers/\|title=Famous Blackpool Entertainers - Famous Blackpool Entertainers \|website=Blackpoolpostcards.co.uk\|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref>		Jimmy Clitheroe was born in [[w:Clitheroe\|Clitheroe]], [[w:Lancashire\|Lancashire]], England on Christmas Eve 1921 to [[w:Weaving\|weaver]]s Emma Pye and James Robert Clitheroe, who had married in 1918. His place of birth was his maternal grandparents' home at 58 Wilkin Street (now called Highfield Road).<ref name=LT>{{Cite news \|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1405865.research_reveals_life_of_clitheroe_kid/ \|title=Research reveals life of 'Clitheroe Kid' \|author=Gill Johnson \|date=17 May 2007 \|work=Lancashire Telegraph \|publisher=Newquest \|accessdate=24 September 2015}}</ref> His childhood was spent in the mill village of [[w:Blacko\|Blacko]], near [[w:Nelson, Lancashire\|Nelson]],<ref name=LT/> living at 14 Spout Houses, a row of terraced houses below Blacko Tower. He attended the Council School up to the age of 12, when he transferred to [[w:Barrowford\|Barrowford]] Board School for his final two years, in an era when education was compulsory only up to the age of 14.<ref name="blackpoolpostcards.co.uk">{{Cite web\|url=http://www.blackpoolpostcards.co.uk/2012/10/famous-blackpool-entertainers/\|title=Famous Blackpool Entertainers - Famous Blackpool Entertainers \|website=Blackpoolpostcards.co.uk\|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref>

	An only child, he was named after his mother's younger brother, James Robinson Pye, who had been born in Clitheroe in 1894 and was killed in action in the [[First World War]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://lancs-local-resources.talis.com/engage/showrecord/1287878827167 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723141539/http://lancs-local-resources.talis.com/engage/showrecord/1287878827167 \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=23 July 2012 \|title=Lancashire Lantern community history – East Lancashire Regiment \|publisher=Lancs-local-resources.talis.com \|date=30 March 1917 \|accessdate=4 July 2012 }}</ref>		An only child, he was named after his mother's younger brother, James Robinson Pye, who had been born in Clitheroe in 1894 and was killed in action in the [[w:First World War\|First World War]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://lancs-local-resources.talis.com/engage/showrecord/1287878827167 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723141539/http://lancs-local-resources.talis.com/engage/showrecord/1287878827167 \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=23 July 2012 \|title=Lancashire Lantern community history – East Lancashire Regiment \|publisher=Lancs-local-resources.talis.com \|date=30 March 1917 \|accessdate=4 July 2012 }}</ref>

	According to newspapers in 1938, at the age of 16 he was {{convert\|3\|ft\|6.5\|in\|2}} tall. Although his father was over {{convert\|6\|ft}} tall, Jimmy never grew any taller than {{convert\|4\|ft\|2\|in}} – about average for an eight or nine-year-old boy. His small size was thought to be caused by his [[thyroid gland]] being damaged at birth during a [[forceps]] delivery. According to Robert Ross, Jimmy's small size was due to a rare genetic disorder.<Ref>Forgotten Heroes of Comedy: An Encyclopedia of the Comedy Underdog (2021)</ref> and until later life, he could easily pass for an 11-year-old, which was the character he played on stage, in his early films, and on radio and television.<ref name=":0" /><!--<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.JimmyClitheroe.co.uk\|title=Jimmy Clitheroe, The Kid Himself \|website=Jimmyclitheroe.co.uk \|accessdate=4 July 2012}}</ref>-->		According to newspapers in 1938, at the age of 16 he was {{convert\|3\|ft\|6.5\|in\|2}} tall. Although his father was over {{convert\|6\|ft}} tall, Jimmy never grew any taller than {{convert\|4\|ft\|2\|in}} – about average for an eight or nine-year-old boy. His small size was thought to be caused by his [[w:thyroid gland\|thyroid gland]] being damaged at birth during a [[w:forceps\|forceps]] delivery. According to Robert Ross, Jimmy's small size was due to a rare genetic disorder.<Ref>Forgotten Heroes of Comedy: An Encyclopedia of the Comedy Underdog (2021)</ref> and until later life, he could easily pass for an 11-year-old, which was the character he played on stage, in his early films, and on radio and television.<ref name=":0" /><!--<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.JimmyClitheroe.co.uk\|title=Jimmy Clitheroe, The Kid Himself \|website=Jimmyclitheroe.co.uk \|accessdate=4 July 2012}}</ref>-->

	==Career==		==Career==
	Being unable to work in the weaving sheds with his parents, as he was too short to reach the looms,<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1405865.research-reveals-life-clitheroe-kid/\|title=Research reveals life of 'Clitheroe Kid'\|newspaper=[[w:Lancashire Telegraph\|Lancashire Telegraph]]\|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> Clitheroe worked for a time in a bakery in Nelson, but was also touring the [[w:variety show\|variety theatres]] in Yorkshire and Lancashire from 1937 as a boy [[w:accordion\|accordion]]ist, and also played the [[w:xylophone\|xylophone]] and [[w:saxophone\|saxophone]]. Later, he bought a caravan to live in whilst touring the various towns in whose theatres he appeared.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/uk.music.folk/1VZ33u5XiG4\|title=Google Groups\|website=Groups.google.com\|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> He made his first [[w:pantomime\|pantomime]] appearance in 1938, alongside the bumptious "Two Ton" [[Tessie O'Shea]]. In pantomime he was usually cast as Buttons, Tom Thumb, or Wishee Washee.<ref name="blackpoolpostcards.co.uk"/> He moved into films from 1940 (thanks to a chance meeting with top of the bill stars [[Arthur Lucan]] and [[Kitty McShane]]) and radio from 1954 (initially on the BBC's regional Home Service North, and subsequently on the nationwide [[BBC Light Programme]], then television (with ITV, produced by [[w:ABC Weekend TV\|ABC Television]] in their Manchester studios) from 1963.		Being unable to work in the weaving sheds with his parents, as he was too short to reach the looms,<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1405865.research-reveals-life-clitheroe-kid/\|title=Research reveals life of 'Clitheroe Kid'\|newspaper=[[w:Lancashire Telegraph\|Lancashire Telegraph]]\|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> Clitheroe worked for a time in a bakery in Nelson, but was also touring the [[w:variety show\|variety theatres]] in Yorkshire and Lancashire from 1937 as a boy [[w:accordion\|accordion]]ist, and also played the [[w:xylophone\|xylophone]] and [[w:saxophone\|saxophone]]. Later, he bought a caravan to live in whilst touring the various towns in whose theatres he appeared.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/uk.music.folk/1VZ33u5XiG4\|title=Google Groups\|website=Groups.google.com\|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> He made his first [[w:pantomime\|pantomime]] appearance in 1938, alongside the bumptious "Two Ton" [[Tessie O'Shea]]. In pantomime he was usually cast as Buttons, Tom Thumb, or Wishee Washee.<ref name="blackpoolpostcards.co.uk"/> He moved into films from 1940 (thanks to a chance meeting with top of the bill stars [[Arthur Lucan]] and [[Kitty McShane]]) and radio from 1954 (initially on the BBC's regional Home Service North, and subsequently on the nationwide [[w:BBC Light Programme\|BBC Light Programme]], then television (with ITV, produced by [[w:ABC Weekend TV\|ABC Television]] in their Manchester studios) from 1963.

	During the 1940s, Clitheroe appeared in pantomime and summer season dates, and in films, with stars of the day including Arthur Lucan (as [[Old Mother Riley]]), [[George Formby]], [[Vera Lynn]], and [[Frank Randle]].<ref>''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''.</ref> In 1959, Clitheroe was invited to take part in the Royal Command variety show, in the presence of the [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother\|Queen Mother]].		During the 1940s, Clitheroe appeared in pantomime and summer season dates, and in films, with stars of the day including Arthur Lucan (as [[Old Mother Riley]]), [[George Formby]], [[w:Vera Lynn\|Vera Lynn]], and [[Frank Randle]].<ref>''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''.</ref> In 1959, Clitheroe was invited to take part in the Royal Command variety show, in the presence of the [[w:Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother\|Queen Mother]].

	His long-running radio programme on the [[w:BBC\|BBC]], ''[[The Clitheroe Kid]]'', was broadcast from 1956 until August 1972. His catchphrase was "Don't some mothers 'ave 'em!"<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|title = Born in the 60s\|last = Glynne-Jones \|first=Tim \|publisher=Arcturus Publishing \|year=2014 \|isbn=978-1-90940-978-1}}</ref> Two versions of the radio series were produced for television on the ITV network: ''[[That's My Boy (1963 TV series)\|That's My Boy!]]'' (which ran for seven episodes in 1963), and ''Just Jimmy'' (which ran for 5 years, between 1964 and 1968). [[Mollie Sugden]], who had worked with Clitheroe in his stage shows, played his mother in the latter series.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.teletronic.co.uk/pages/interview_mollie_sugden.html\|title=Lives and Times: Mollie Sugden\|website=Teletronic.co.uk\|date=2004\|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>		His long-running radio programme on the [[w:BBC\|BBC]], ''[[The Clitheroe Kid]]'', was broadcast from 1956 until August 1972. His catchphrase was "Don't some mothers 'ave 'em!"<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|title = Born in the 60s\|last = Glynne-Jones \|first=Tim \|publisher=Arcturus Publishing \|year=2014 \|isbn=978-1-90940-978-1}}</ref> Two versions of the radio series were produced for television on the ITV network: ''[[That's My Boy (1963 TV series)\|That's My Boy!]]'' (which ran for seven episodes in 1963), and ''Just Jimmy'' (which ran for 5 years, between 1964 and 1968). [[Mollie Sugden]], who had worked with Clitheroe in his stage shows, played his mother in the latter series.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.teletronic.co.uk/pages/interview_mollie_sugden.html\|title=Lives and Times: Mollie Sugden\|website=Teletronic.co.uk\|date=2004\|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>

Kurt: /* Career */

2022-12-20T21:45:13Z

Career

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:45, 20 December 2022
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	==Career==		==Career==
	Being unable to work in the weaving sheds with his parents, as he was too short to reach the looms,<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1405865.research-reveals-life-clitheroe-kid/\|title=Research reveals life of 'Clitheroe Kid'\|newspaper=[[Lancashire Telegraph]]\|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> Clitheroe worked for a time in a bakery in Nelson, but was also touring the [[variety show\|variety theatres]] in Yorkshire and Lancashire from 1937 as a boy [[accordion]]ist, and also played the [[xylophone]] and [[saxophone]]. Later, he bought a caravan to live in whilst touring the various towns in whose theatres he appeared.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/uk.music.folk/1VZ33u5XiG4\|title=Google Groups\|website=Groups.google.com\|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> He made his first [[pantomime]] appearance in 1938, alongside the bumptious "Two Ton" [[Tessie O'Shea]]. In pantomime he was usually cast as Buttons, Tom Thumb, or Wishee Washee.<ref name="blackpoolpostcards.co.uk"/> He moved into films from 1940 (thanks to a chance meeting with top of the bill stars [[Arthur Lucan]] and [[Kitty McShane]]) and radio from 1954 (initially on the BBC's regional Home Service North, and subsequently on the nationwide [[BBC Light Programme]], then television (with ITV, produced by [[ABC Weekend TV\|ABC Television]] in their Manchester studios) from 1963.		Being unable to work in the weaving sheds with his parents, as he was too short to reach the looms,<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1405865.research-reveals-life-clitheroe-kid/\|title=Research reveals life of 'Clitheroe Kid'\|newspaper=[[w:Lancashire Telegraph\|Lancashire Telegraph]]\|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> Clitheroe worked for a time in a bakery in Nelson, but was also touring the [[w:variety show\|variety theatres]] in Yorkshire and Lancashire from 1937 as a boy [[w:accordion\|accordion]]ist, and also played the [[w:xylophone\|xylophone]] and [[w:saxophone\|saxophone]]. Later, he bought a caravan to live in whilst touring the various towns in whose theatres he appeared.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/uk.music.folk/1VZ33u5XiG4\|title=Google Groups\|website=Groups.google.com\|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> He made his first [[w:pantomime\|pantomime]] appearance in 1938, alongside the bumptious "Two Ton" [[Tessie O'Shea]]. In pantomime he was usually cast as Buttons, Tom Thumb, or Wishee Washee.<ref name="blackpoolpostcards.co.uk"/> He moved into films from 1940 (thanks to a chance meeting with top of the bill stars [[Arthur Lucan]] and [[Kitty McShane]]) and radio from 1954 (initially on the BBC's regional Home Service North, and subsequently on the nationwide [[BBC Light Programme]], then television (with ITV, produced by [[w:ABC Weekend TV\|ABC Television]] in their Manchester studios) from 1963.

	During the 1940s, Clitheroe appeared in pantomime and summer season dates, and in films, with stars of the day including Arthur Lucan (as [[Old Mother Riley]]), [[George Formby]], [[Vera Lynn]], and [[Frank Randle]].<ref>''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''.</ref> In 1959, Clitheroe was invited to take part in the Royal Command variety show, in the presence of the [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother\|Queen Mother]].		During the 1940s, Clitheroe appeared in pantomime and summer season dates, and in films, with stars of the day including Arthur Lucan (as [[Old Mother Riley]]), [[George Formby]], [[Vera Lynn]], and [[Frank Randle]].<ref>''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''.</ref> In 1959, Clitheroe was invited to take part in the Royal Command variety show, in the presence of the [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother\|Queen Mother]].

	His long-running radio programme on the [[BBC]], ''[[The Clitheroe Kid]]'', was broadcast from 1956 until August 1972. His catchphrase was "Don't some mothers 'ave 'em!"<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|title = Born in the 60s\|last = Glynne-Jones \|first=Tim \|publisher=Arcturus Publishing \|year=2014 \|isbn=978-1-90940-978-1}}</ref> Two versions of the radio series were produced for television on the ITV network: ''[[That's My Boy (1963 TV series)\|That's My Boy!]]'' (which ran for seven episodes in 1963), and ''Just Jimmy'' (which ran for 5 years, between 1964 and 1968). [[Mollie Sugden]], who had worked with Clitheroe in his stage shows, played his mother in the latter series.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.teletronic.co.uk/pages/interview_mollie_sugden.html\|title=Lives and Times: Mollie Sugden\|website=Teletronic.co.uk\|date=2004\|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>		His long-running radio programme on the [[w:BBC\|BBC]], ''[[The Clitheroe Kid]]'', was broadcast from 1956 until August 1972. His catchphrase was "Don't some mothers 'ave 'em!"<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|title = Born in the 60s\|last = Glynne-Jones \|first=Tim \|publisher=Arcturus Publishing \|year=2014 \|isbn=978-1-90940-978-1}}</ref> Two versions of the radio series were produced for television on the ITV network: ''[[That's My Boy (1963 TV series)\|That's My Boy!]]'' (which ran for seven episodes in 1963), and ''Just Jimmy'' (which ran for 5 years, between 1964 and 1968). [[Mollie Sugden]], who had worked with Clitheroe in his stage shows, played his mother in the latter series.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.teletronic.co.uk/pages/interview_mollie_sugden.html\|title=Lives and Times: Mollie Sugden\|website=Teletronic.co.uk\|date=2004\|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>

	Clitheroe owned a bookmaker's shop on Springfield Road, [[Blackpool]], and the Fernhill Hotel at [[Preesall]]. He appeared on the Blackpool stage for many years, from 1936 until 1971. In September 1972 ''The Clitheroe Kid'' was cancelled by the BBC after a 16-year run.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://www.delabole.com/acrobat/2013/Slate+May+2013.pdf \|title=Archived copy \|access-date=4 September 2020 \|archive-date=3 August 2021 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803200717/http://www.delabole.com/acrobat/2013/Slate+May+2013.pdf \|url-status=dead }}</ref>		Clitheroe owned a bookmaker's shop on Springfield Road, [[w:Blackpool\|Blackpool]], and the Fernhill Hotel at [[w:Preesall\|Preesall]]. He appeared on the Blackpool stage for many years, from 1936 until 1971. In September 1972 ''The Clitheroe Kid'' was cancelled by the BBC after a 16-year run.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://www.delabole.com/acrobat/2013/Slate+May+2013.pdf \|title=Archived copy \|access-date=4 September 2020 \|archive-date=3 August 2021 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803200717/http://www.delabole.com/acrobat/2013/Slate+May+2013.pdf \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

	==Personal life==		==Personal life==

Kurt: /* External links */

2022-12-20T21:43:04Z

External links

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	* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120220091430/http://www.jimmyclitheroe.co.uk/index.htm Jimmy Clitheroe website] (archived version) (2012)		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120220091430/http://www.jimmyclitheroe.co.uk/index.htm Jimmy Clitheroe website] (archived version) (2012)
	* [http://solie.org/alibrary/JimmyClitheroe.html Jimmy Clitheroe's ITV television shows] at Uncle Earl's Classic TV Channel		* [http://solie.org/alibrary/JimmyClitheroe.html Jimmy Clitheroe's ITV television shows] at Uncle Earl's Classic TV Channel

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Clitheroe, Jimmy}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Clitheroe, Jimmy}}
	[[Category:1921 births]]		[[Category:1921 births]]
	[[Category:1973 deaths]]		[[Category:1973 deaths]]
	~~[[Category:Drug-related deaths in England]]~~
	~~[[Category:Accidental deaths in England]]~~
	[[Category:20th-century British comedians]]		[[Category:20th-century British comedians]]
	[[Category:English male comedians]]		[[Category:English male comedians]]
	[[Category:Music hall performers]]		[[Category:Music hall performers]]
	[[Category:People from Clitheroe]]		[[Category:People from Clitheroe]]

Kurt: /* Filmography */

2022-09-23T16:25:01Z

Filmography

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	* ''[[Old Mother Riley in Society]]'' (1940) with [[Old Mother Riley\|Lucan and McShane]] – as Boots		* ''[[Old Mother Riley in Society]]'' (1940) with [[Old Mother Riley\|Lucan and McShane]] – as Boots
	* ''[[Much Too Shy]]'' (1942) with [[George Formby]] – as Jimmy		* ''[[Much Too Shy]]'' (1942) with [[George Formby]] – as Jimmy
	* ''[[w:Rhythm Serenade\|Rhythm Serenade]]'' (1943) with [[Vera Lynn\|Dame Vera Lynn]]<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036310/ Rhythm Serenade] at the Internet Movie DataBase</ref> – as Joey		* ''[[w:Rhythm Serenade\|Rhythm Serenade]]'' (1943) with [[w:Vera Lynn\|Dame Vera Lynn]]<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036310/ Rhythm Serenade] at the Internet Movie DataBase</ref> – as Joey
	* ''[[Somewhere in Politics]]'' (1948) with [[Frank Randle]] – as Sonny		* ''[[Somewhere in Politics]]'' (1948) with [[Frank Randle]] – as Sonny
	* ''[[School for Randle]]'' (1949) with [[Frank Randle]] – as Jimmy		* ''[[School for Randle]]'' (1949) with [[Frank Randle]] – as Jimmy
	* ''[[Stars in Your Eyes]]'' (1956) with [[Nat Jackley]] – as Joey		* ''[[w:Stars in Your Eyes\|Stars in Your Eyes]]'' (1956) with [[Nat Jackley]] – as Joey
	* ''[[Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon]]'' (1967) with [[Burl Ives]] – as General Tom Thumb		* ''[[Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon]]'' (1967) with [[w:Burl Ives\|Burl Ives]] – as General Tom Thumb

	==References==		==References==

Kurt: /* Filmography */

2022-09-23T16:24:13Z

Filmography

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:24, 23 September 2022
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	* ''[[Old Mother Riley in Society]]'' (1940) with [[Old Mother Riley\|Lucan and McShane]] – as Boots		* ''[[Old Mother Riley in Society]]'' (1940) with [[Old Mother Riley\|Lucan and McShane]] – as Boots
	* ''[[Much Too Shy]]'' (1942) with [[George Formby]] – as Jimmy		* ''[[Much Too Shy]]'' (1942) with [[George Formby]] – as Jimmy
	* ''[[Rhythm Serenade]]'' (1943) with [[Vera Lynn\|Dame Vera Lynn]]<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036310/ Rhythm Serenade] at the Internet Movie DataBase</ref> – as Joey		* ''[[w:Rhythm Serenade\|Rhythm Serenade]]'' (1943) with [[Vera Lynn\|Dame Vera Lynn]]<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036310/ Rhythm Serenade] at the Internet Movie DataBase</ref> – as Joey
	* ''[[Somewhere in Politics]]'' (1948) with [[Frank Randle]] – as Sonny		* ''[[Somewhere in Politics]]'' (1948) with [[Frank Randle]] – as Sonny
	* ''[[School for Randle]]'' (1949) with [[Frank Randle]] – as Jimmy		* ''[[School for Randle]]'' (1949) with [[Frank Randle]] – as Jimmy

Kurt: /* Illness and death */

2022-09-23T15:50:55Z

Illness and death

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:50, 23 September 2022
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	==Illness and death==		==Illness and death==
	On 30 March 1973, Clitheroe collapsed in his hotel room in [[Plymouth]], while touring in a variety show, and spent four days in hospital.		On 30 March 1973, Clitheroe collapsed in his hotel room in [[w:Plymouth\|Plymouth]], while touring in a variety show, and spent four days in hospital.

	Jimmy Clitheroe died on 6 June 1973 from an accidental overdose of [[sleeping pills]], combined with seven brandies, on the day of his mother's funeral. He was found unconscious in bed by relatives, and died later that day in hospital in Blackpool. His mother had died five days before, aged 84.<ref name="Stevens">{{cite book \|last=Stevens \|first=Christopher \|title=Born Brilliant: The Life Of Kenneth Williams \|publisher=John Murray \|year=2010 \|isbn=1-84854-195-3 \|pages=412/3 }}</ref><ref name=BG>{{Cite news \|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/tragic-end-of-blackpool-comic-genius-1-426503 \|title=Tragic end of Blackpool comic genius \|date=2 May 2008 \|newspaper=[[Blackpool Gazette]]\|accessdate=24 September 2015}}</ref> His funeral was held at [[Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool]], on 11 June 1973, where for many years he was commemorated by a plaque attached to memorial tree Number 3. Over 300 people attended.<ref>Newcastle Journal - 12 June 1973</ref>		Jimmy Clitheroe died on 6 June 1973 from an accidental overdose of [[w:sleeping pills\|sleeping pills]], combined with seven brandies, on the day of his mother's funeral. He was found unconscious in bed by relatives, and died later that day in hospital in [[w:Blackpool\|Blackpool]]. His mother had died five days before, aged 84.<ref name="Stevens">{{cite book \|last=Stevens \|first=Christopher \|title=Born Brilliant: The Life Of Kenneth Williams \|publisher=John Murray \|year=2010 \|isbn=1-84854-195-3 \|pages=412/3 }}</ref><ref name=BG>{{Cite news \|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/tragic-end-of-blackpool-comic-genius-1-426503 \|title=Tragic end of Blackpool comic genius \|date=2 May 2008 \|newspaper=[[w:Blackpool Gazette\|Blackpool Gazette]]\|accessdate=24 September 2015}}</ref> His funeral was held at [[w:Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool\|Carleton Crematorium]], on 11 June 1973, where for many years he was commemorated by a plaque attached to memorial tree Number 3. Over 300 people attended.<ref>Newcastle Journal - 12 June 1973</ref>

	==Filmography==		==Filmography==

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Personal life

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	==Personal life==		==Personal life==
			[[File:Jimmy Clitheroe.jpg\|thumb\|right]]
	From 1960 onwards, Clitheroe lived with his mother, to whom he was devoted, in a bungalow, 118 Bispham Road in Blackpool. His father had died on 9 January 1951, from complications arising from injuries sustained in the First World War.<ref name=":0" /> Jimmy was godfather to co-star Diana Day's daughter. She named her son James after him. Clitheroe himself never married.		From 1960 onwards, Clitheroe lived with his mother, to whom he was devoted, in a bungalow, 118 Bispham Road in Blackpool. His father had died on 9 January 1951, from complications arising from injuries sustained in the First World War.<ref name=":0" /> Jimmy was godfather to co-star Diana Day's daughter. She named her son James after him. Clitheroe himself never married.

	For many years he drove a [[Mercedes-Benz\|Mercedes]] car, with blocks on the pedals, adapted by mechanic Michael Darbyshire so that his feet could reach them. Appearing to be an underage driver, he could seldom complete a journey without attracting the attention of the police.<ref name=BG/>		For many years he drove a [[w:Mercedes-Benz\|Mercedes]] car, with blocks on the pedals, adapted by mechanic Michael Darbyshire so that his feet could reach them. Appearing to be an underage driver, he could seldom complete a journey without attracting the attention of the police.<ref name=BG/>

	==Illness and death==		==Illness and death==

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	\| name = Jimmy Clitheroe		\| name = Jimmy Clitheroe
	\| image = Jimmy_Clitheroe.jpg		\| image = Jimmy_Clitheroe (promo).jpg
	\| image_size =		\| image_size =
	\| caption = Jimmy Clitheroe		\| caption = Jimmy Clitheroe

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jimmy Clitheroe
| image = Jimmy_Clitheroe.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Jimmy Clitheroe
| birth_name = James Robinson Clitheroe
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1921|12|24}}
| birth_place = [[Clitheroe]], [[Lancashire]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1973|06|06|1921|12|24}}
| death_place = [[Blackpool]], Lancashire, England
| resting_place = [[Carleton Crematorium and Cemetery]], Blackpool, Lancashire, England
| occupation = Comedian, actor, musician
| height = {{convert|4|ft|2|in|m}}
}}

'''James Robinson Clitheroe''' (24 December 1921 – 6 June 1973) was an English comic entertainer.<ref>JIMMY CLITHEROE Popular radio entertainer. ''[[The Times]]'' Thursday, 7 June 1973; pg. 21; Issue 58802</ref> He is 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 [[Weaving|weaver]]s Emma Pye and James Robert Clitheroe, who had married in 1918. His place of birth was his maternal grandparents' home at 58 Wilkin Street (now called Highfield Road).<ref name=LT>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1405865.research_reveals_life_of_clitheroe_kid/ |title=Research reveals life of 'Clitheroe Kid' |author=Gill Johnson |date=17 May 2007 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |publisher=Newquest |accessdate=24 September 2015}}</ref> His childhood was spent in the mill village of [[Blacko]], near [[Nelson, Lancashire|Nelson]],<ref name=LT/> living at 14 Spout Houses, a row of terraced houses below Blacko Tower. He attended the Council School up to the age of 12, when he transferred to [[Barrowford]] Board School for his final two years, in an era when education was compulsory only up to the age of 14.<ref name="blackpoolpostcards.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolpostcards.co.uk/2012/10/famous-blackpool-entertainers/|title=Famous Blackpool Entertainers - Famous Blackpool Entertainers |website=Blackpoolpostcards.co.uk|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref>

An only child, he was named after his mother's younger brother, James Robinson Pye, who had been born in Clitheroe in 1894 and was killed in action in the [[First World War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lancs-local-resources.talis.com/engage/showrecord/1287878827167 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723141539/http://lancs-local-resources.talis.com/engage/showrecord/1287878827167 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 July 2012 |title=Lancashire Lantern community history – East Lancashire Regiment |publisher=Lancs-local-resources.talis.com |date=30 March 1917 |accessdate=4 July 2012 }}</ref>

According to newspapers in 1938, at the age of 16 he was {{convert|3|ft|6.5|in|2}} tall. Although his father was over {{convert|6|ft}} tall, Jimmy never grew any taller than {{convert|4|ft|2|in}} – about average for an eight or nine-year-old boy. His small size was thought to be caused by his [[thyroid gland]] being damaged at birth during a [[forceps]] delivery. According to Robert Ross, Jimmy's small size was due to a rare genetic disorder.<Ref>Forgotten Heroes of Comedy: An Encyclopedia of the Comedy Underdog (2021)</ref> and until later life, he could easily pass for an 11-year-old, which was the character he played on stage, in his early films, and on radio and television.<ref name=":0" />

==Career==
Being unable to work in the weaving sheds with his parents, as he was too short to reach the looms,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1405865.research-reveals-life-clitheroe-kid/|title=Research reveals life of 'Clitheroe Kid'|newspaper=[[Lancashire Telegraph]]|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> Clitheroe worked for a time in a bakery in Nelson, but was also touring the [[variety show|variety theatres]] in Yorkshire and Lancashire from 1937 as a boy [[accordion]]ist, and also played the [[xylophone]] and [[saxophone]]. Later, he bought a caravan to live in whilst touring the various towns in whose theatres he appeared.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/uk.music.folk/1VZ33u5XiG4|title=Google Groups|website=Groups.google.com|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> He made his first [[pantomime]] appearance in 1938, alongside the bumptious "Two Ton" [[Tessie O'Shea]]. In pantomime he was usually cast as Buttons, Tom Thumb, or Wishee Washee.<ref name="blackpoolpostcards.co.uk"/> He moved into films from 1940 (thanks to a chance meeting with top of the bill stars [[Arthur Lucan]] and [[Kitty McShane]]) and radio from 1954 (initially on the BBC's regional Home Service North, and subsequently on the nationwide [[BBC Light Programme]], then television (with ITV, produced by [[ABC Weekend TV|ABC Television]] in their Manchester studios) from 1963.

During the 1940s, Clitheroe appeared in pantomime and summer season dates, and in films, with stars of the day including Arthur Lucan (as [[Old Mother Riley]]), [[George Formby]], [[Vera Lynn]], and [[Frank Randle]].<ref>''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''.</ref> In 1959, Clitheroe was invited to take part in the Royal Command variety show, in the presence of the [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Queen Mother]].

His long-running radio programme on the [[BBC]], ''[[The Clitheroe Kid]]'', was broadcast from 1956 until August 1972. His catchphrase was "Don't some mothers 'ave 'em!"<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title = Born in the 60s|last = Glynne-Jones |first=Tim |publisher=Arcturus Publishing |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-90940-978-1}}</ref> Two versions of the radio series were produced for television on the ITV network: ''[[That's My Boy (1963 TV series)|That's My Boy!]]'' (which ran for seven episodes in 1963), and ''Just Jimmy'' (which ran for 5 years, between 1964 and 1968). [[Mollie Sugden]], who had worked with Clitheroe in his stage shows, played his mother in the latter series.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.teletronic.co.uk/pages/interview_mollie_sugden.html|title=Lives and Times: Mollie Sugden|website=Teletronic.co.uk|date=2004|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>

Clitheroe owned a bookmaker's shop on Springfield Road, [[Blackpool]], and the Fernhill Hotel at [[Preesall]]. He appeared on the Blackpool stage for many years, from 1936 until 1971. In September 1972 ''The Clitheroe Kid'' was cancelled by the BBC after a 16-year run.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.delabole.com/acrobat/2013/Slate+May+2013.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803200717/http://www.delabole.com/acrobat/2013/Slate+May+2013.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Personal life==
From 1960 onwards, Clitheroe lived with his mother, to whom he was devoted, in a bungalow, 118 Bispham Road in Blackpool. His father had died on 9 January 1951, from complications arising from injuries sustained in the First World War.<ref name=":0" /> Jimmy was godfather to co-star Diana Day's daughter. She named her son James after him. Clitheroe himself never married.

For many years he drove a [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] car, with blocks on the pedals, adapted by mechanic Michael Darbyshire so that his feet could reach them. Appearing to be an underage driver, he could seldom complete a journey without attracting the attention of the police.<ref name=BG/>

==Illness and death==
On 30 March 1973, Clitheroe collapsed in his hotel room in [[Plymouth]], while touring in a variety show, and spent four days in hospital.

Jimmy Clitheroe died on 6 June 1973 from an accidental overdose of [[sleeping pills]], combined with seven brandies, on the day of his mother's funeral. He was found unconscious in bed by relatives, and died later that day in hospital in Blackpool. His mother had died five days before, aged 84.<ref name="Stevens">{{cite book |last=Stevens |first=Christopher |title=Born Brilliant: The Life Of Kenneth Williams |publisher=John Murray |year=2010 |isbn=1-84854-195-3 |pages=412/3 }}</ref><ref name=BG>{{Cite news |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/tragic-end-of-blackpool-comic-genius-1-426503 |title=Tragic end of Blackpool comic genius |date=2 May 2008 |newspaper=[[Blackpool Gazette]]|accessdate=24 September 2015}}</ref> His funeral was held at [[Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool]], on 11 June 1973, where for many years he was commemorated by a plaque attached to memorial tree Number 3. Over 300 people attended.<ref>Newcastle Journal - 12 June 1973</ref>

==Filmography==
* ''[[Old Mother Riley in Society]]'' (1940) with [[Old Mother Riley|Lucan and McShane]] – as Boots
* ''[[Much Too Shy]]'' (1942) with [[George Formby]] – as Jimmy
* ''[[Rhythm Serenade]]'' (1943) with [[Vera Lynn|Dame Vera Lynn]]<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036310/ Rhythm Serenade] at the Internet Movie DataBase</ref> – as Joey
* ''[[Somewhere in Politics]]'' (1948) with [[Frank Randle]] – as Sonny
* ''[[School for Randle]]'' (1949) with [[Frank Randle]] – as Jimmy
* ''[[Stars in Your Eyes]]'' (1956) with [[Nat Jackley]] – as Joey
* ''[[Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon]]'' (1967) with [[Burl Ives]] – as General Tom Thumb

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0166971}}
* [http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?order=asc&q=JIMMY+CLITHEROE#search Jimmy Clitheroe in the BBC Genome]
* [http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?order=asc&q=THE+CLITHEROE+KID#search 'The Clitheroe Kid' in the BBC Genome]
* Stephen Poppitt's [http://clitheroekid.ihostfull.com Jimmy Clitheroe website] (founded in 2001), originally at JimmyClitheroe.co.uk
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120220091430/http://www.jimmyclitheroe.co.uk/index.htm Jimmy Clitheroe website] (archived version) (2012)
* [http://solie.org/alibrary/JimmyClitheroe.html Jimmy Clitheroe's ITV television shows] at Uncle Earl's Classic TV Channel

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clitheroe, Jimmy}}
[[Category:1921 births]]
[[Category:1973 deaths]]
[[Category:Drug-related deaths in England]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths in England]]
[[Category:20th-century British comedians]]
[[Category:English male comedians]]
[[Category:Music hall performers]]
[[Category:People from Clitheroe]]