Jimmy Clitheroe
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| James Robinson Clitheroe | |
| Born | December 24, 1921 Clitheroe, Lancashire, England |
|---|---|
| Died | June 6, 1973 (aged 51) Blackpool, Lancashire |
| Cause of death | Accidental overdose of sleeping tablets |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Comedian |
James Robinson Clitheroe (December 24, 1921 - June 6, 1973), aka The Clitheroe Kid, was the son of James Robert Clitheroe and Emma Pye who married in 1918. Jimmy was named after Emma's brother James Robinson Pye (b. 1894 Clitheroe). Jimmy was born in Clitheroe, Lancashire, England, but raised in Blacko, near Nelson. His career spanned five decades. He never grew any taller than 4 foot 3 inches all his life, and could easily pass for an 11 year old boy.
He started out in variety and theatre, but moved into records, films and then pantomime and radio, and finally television. Many people today who remember him do so from his long-running radio programme on the BBC, The Clitheroe Kid.
He never married, and lived quietly with his mother in Blackpool. He died from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills on the day of her funeral, aged 51. His funeral was held at Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool, where he is commemorated by memorial tree no. 3.
Morrissey the former lead singer with The Smiths is a passionate fan of Jimmy Clitheroe.
The modern day act 'The Krankies' is based on Jimmy Clitheroe's schoolboy character, and the catchphrase 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em', used as the title of a 1970s BBC sitcom starring Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice, was also originally coined by Jimmy.
Stephen Poppitt and Sandra Skuse are currently writing a biography of Jimmy Clitheroe for publication in 2008.
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