14 Facts About Albert Whelan

The son of an immigrant Polish Jewish pawnbroker, Whelan was born in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1875.

Albert Whelan worked as an accountant and mechanic before moving with a friend in 1898 to the goldfields at Coolgardie, Western Australia, where the pair entertained the prospectors and miners by singing and dancing.

Albert Whelan emigrated to Britain in 1901, making his debut in a novelty dance act at the Empire, Leicester Square, and later appearing in the musical The Belle of New York.

Albert Whelan rapidly honed his act, and settled on a style which would vary little over his career.

Albert Whelan was an excellent mimic, and adapted easily to changing vocal styles.

Albert Whelan was acknowledged as one of the first entertainers to have a signature tune, appearing on-stage whistling Robert Vollstedt's waltz from Die Lustige Bruder.

Albert Whelan toured the United States in 1908, and after its success returned the next year, billed as "The Australian Entertainer".

Albert Whelan later made several tours of both the US and Australia, and introduced audiences there to the song "Show Me the Way to Go Home".

Albert Whelan's recording career spanned the first half of the 20th century, from "The Whistling Bowery Boy" on cylinder in 1905, to his final recordings on LP in 1960.

Albert Whelan had minor roles in a number of British films of the 1930s and 1940s.

Albert Whelan was a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats and served as "King Rat" in 1948.

Albert Whelan was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1957 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.

Albert Whelan was married three times and had three sons from his first marriage, including the actor Ronald Whelan and pianist Gordon Whelan.

Albert Whelan's second wife, Doris Chard, was an entertainer known as "Dainty Doris".