Tom Mennard: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|English comedian and actor}} | {{Short description|English comedian and actor}} | ||
{{ | {{Infobox person | ||
| name = <!-- defaults to article title when left blank --> | |||
| image = Tom Mennard and Dougal.jpg | |||
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | |||
| caption = Tom Mennard and Dougal | |||
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | |||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1918|02|11|df=y}} | |||
| birth_place = [[w:Beeston, Leeds|Beeston, Leeds]] | |||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1989|11|02|1918|02|11|df=y}} | |||
| death_place = [[w:Salisbury|Salisbury]], [[w:Wiltshire|Wiltshire]] | |||
| other_names = | |||
| occupation = | |||
| years_active = | |||
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}} | |||
'''Tom Mennard''' (11 February 1918 – 2 November 1989) was an English comedian and actor. Mennard had a long career in variety, radio and television. | '''Tom Mennard''' (11 February 1918 – 2 November 1989) was an English comedian and actor. Mennard had a long career in variety, radio and television. | ||
Mennard was born in [[Beeston, Leeds]], the son of an undertaker.<ref name="Hudd">[[Roy Hudd]] & Philip Hindin, ''Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts: A Who Was Who of Light Entertainment 1945-60'', Robson Books, 1997, p. 119</ref> He subsequently settled in Brighton where he worked as bus driver.<ref name="Worth">[http://www.harryworth.co.uk/#/tom-mennard/4516970295 Tom Mennard] on Harry Worth site</ref> Whilst in Brighton he became involved in an amateur revue company where his performances attracted the attention of singer [[Donald Peers]], who was appearing in variety in the town.<ref name="Hudd"/> On Peers' recommendation Mennard got an audition for the [[BBC]] and as a result was given a spot on ''The Centre Show'', a television programme for new talent presented by [[Benny Hill]].<ref name="Hudd"/> | Mennard was born in [[w:Beeston, Leeds|Beeston, Leeds]], the son of an undertaker.<ref name="Hudd">[[Roy Hudd]] & Philip Hindin, ''Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts: A Who Was Who of Light Entertainment 1945-60'', Robson Books, 1997, p. 119</ref> He subsequently settled in Brighton where he worked as bus driver.<ref name="Worth">[http://www.harryworth.co.uk/#/tom-mennard/4516970295 Tom Mennard] on Harry Worth site</ref> Whilst in Brighton he became involved in an amateur revue company where his performances attracted the attention of singer [[w:Donald Peers|Donald Peers]], who was appearing in variety in the town.<ref name="Hudd"/> On Peers' recommendation Mennard got an audition for the [[w:BBC|BBC]] and as a result was given a spot on ''The Centre Show'', a television programme for new talent presented by [[Benny Hill]].<ref name="Hudd"/> | ||
Following Hill's advice he auditioned for the [[Windmill Theatre]] and, after two rejections, was accepted with a routine in which he played a road sweeper.<ref name="Hudd"/> His first appearances at the theatre were alongside [[Bill Waddington]] and [[Jill Summers]].<ref name="Worth"/> Variety and theatre work followed, including a tour with [[Harold Fielding]]'s ''Music for the Millions'' during which Mennard worked with his idol [[Robb Wilton]], whose slow, deliberate style of story-telling was the main influence on Mennard's own delivery style.<ref name="Hudd"/> He also made several appearances on BBC TV's long running variety programme, ''[[The Good Old Days (UK TV series)|The Good Old Days]]'', at The City Varieties Theatre in Leeds, his home town. | Following Hill's advice he auditioned for the [[w:Windmill Theatre|Windmill Theatre]] and, after two rejections, was accepted with a routine in which he played a road sweeper.<ref name="Hudd"/> His first appearances at the theatre were alongside [[Bill Waddington]] and [[Jill Summers]].<ref name="Worth"/> Variety and theatre work followed, including a tour with [[w:Harold Fielding|Harold Fielding]]'s ''Music for the Millions'' during which Mennard worked with his idol [[Robb Wilton]], whose slow, deliberate style of story-telling was the main influence on Mennard's own delivery style.<ref name="Hudd"/> He also made several appearances on BBC TV's long running variety programme, ''[[w:The Good Old Days (UK TV series)|The Good Old Days]]'', at The City Varieties Theatre in Leeds, his home town. | ||
Mennard became a regular feature on Mike Craig's radio shows in [[Manchester]] and these helped him to reach a wider national audience.<ref>Hudd & Hindin, pp. 119-120</ref> His radio work included his own show, ''Local Tales''.<ref name="Worth"/> He also managed a handful of film appearances, including the horror ''[[The Flesh and Blood Show]]'' and the sexploitation film ''[[Four Dimensions of Greta]]''.<ref name="Worth"/> | Mennard became a regular feature on Mike Craig's radio shows in [[w:Manchester|Manchester]] and these helped him to reach a wider national audience.<ref>Hudd & Hindin, pp. 119-120</ref> His radio work included his own show, ''Local Tales''.<ref name="Worth"/> He also managed a handful of film appearances, including the horror ''[[w:The Flesh and Blood Show|The Flesh and Blood Show]]'' and the sexploitation film ''[[Four Dimensions of Greta]]''.<ref name="Worth"/> | ||
On television he made appearances in ''[[Dad's Army]]'', ''[[Open All Hours]]'' and [[Harry Worth]] vehicle ''[[Oh Happy Band!]]'', amongst others.<ref name="Worth"/> In 1985 he joined the cast of ''[[Coronation Street]]'' in the role of Sam Tindall, remaining in the part irregularly until 1989, with his real life dog Dougal also featuring as the character's pet.<ref name="Worth"/> | On television he made appearances in ''[[Dad's Army]]'', ''[[Open All Hours]]'' and [[Harry Worth]] vehicle ''[[Oh Happy Band!]]'', amongst others.<ref name="Worth"/> In 1985 he joined the cast of ''[[w:Coronation Street|Coronation Street]]'' in the role of Sam Tindall, remaining in the part irregularly until 1989, with his real life dog Dougal also featuring as the character's pet.<ref name="Worth"/> | ||
Mennard died from cancer in 1989 at Salisbury hospital. He was 71.<ref name="Worth"/> | Mennard died from cancer in 1989 at Salisbury hospital. He was 71.<ref name="Worth"/> | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mennard, Tom}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Mennard, Tom}} | ||
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[[Category:Male actors from Leeds]] | [[Category:Male actors from Leeds]] | ||
[[Category:People from Beeston, Leeds]] | [[Category:People from Beeston, Leeds]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century English comedians]] | [[Category:20th-century English comedians]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:10, 26 January 2023
Tom Mennard | |
|---|---|
 Tom Mennard and Dougal | |
| Born | 11 February 1918 |
| Died | 2 November 1989 (aged 71) |
Tom Mennard (11 February 1918 – 2 November 1989) was an English comedian and actor. Mennard had a long career in variety, radio and television.
Mennard was born in Beeston, Leeds, the son of an undertaker.[1] He subsequently settled in Brighton where he worked as bus driver.[2] Whilst in Brighton he became involved in an amateur revue company where his performances attracted the attention of singer Donald Peers, who was appearing in variety in the town.[1] On Peers' recommendation Mennard got an audition for the BBC and as a result was given a spot on The Centre Show, a television programme for new talent presented by Benny Hill.[1]
Following Hill's advice he auditioned for the Windmill Theatre and, after two rejections, was accepted with a routine in which he played a road sweeper.[1] His first appearances at the theatre were alongside Bill Waddington and Jill Summers.[2] Variety and theatre work followed, including a tour with Harold Fielding's Music for the Millions during which Mennard worked with his idol Robb Wilton, whose slow, deliberate style of story-telling was the main influence on Mennard's own delivery style.[1] He also made several appearances on BBC TV's long running variety programme, The Good Old Days, at The City Varieties Theatre in Leeds, his home town.
Mennard became a regular feature on Mike Craig's radio shows in Manchester and these helped him to reach a wider national audience.[3] His radio work included his own show, Local Tales.[2] He also managed a handful of film appearances, including the horror The Flesh and Blood Show and the sexploitation film Four Dimensions of Greta.[2]
On television he made appearances in Dad's Army, Open All Hours and Harry Worth vehicle Oh Happy Band!, amongst others.[2] In 1985 he joined the cast of Coronation Street in the role of Sam Tindall, remaining in the part irregularly until 1989, with his real life dog Dougal also featuring as the character's pet.[2]
Mennard died from cancer in 1989 at Salisbury hospital. He was 71.[2]
External links
- Tom Mennard at IMDb
