13 Facts About Charlie Cairoli

Hubert Jean Charles Cairoli was an Italian-English clown, impressionist and musician.

Charlie Cairoli met Violetta Fratellini, who was from a circus family, in 1934 when they were both working at the Cirque Medrano at Montmartre: he was with his father, Jean-Marie Cairoli, in a clown act as The Cairoli Brothers, and she was in a knockabout acrobatic act, The Tomboys Girls.

Charlie Cairoli chose to stay in the town, where he lived for the rest of his life.

Charlie Cairoli appeared on the American television variety show on ABC The Hollywood Palace twice in 1966, first on 8 January, performing as Charles Cairoli and Company then on 7 May when he was introduced as a "British Comic Pantomimist".

Charlie Cairoli was possibly the best-known clown on British television at one time, and had a career that spanned well over forty years.

Charlie Cairoli was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1970 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at London's Wembley Arena.

Charlie Cairoli performed at Blackpool Tower Circus every summer season for forty years, a world record for the most performances at a single venue.

In February 2000 in Blackpool, Charlie Cairoli was awarded a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award from the World's Fair circus newspaper.

Charlie Cairoli died peacefully in his sleep at his home, 129 Warley Road, North Shore, Blackpool, on 17 February 1980, aged 70.

Charlie Cairoli's name entered popular usage as a reference for clowns in general.

Charlie Cairoli has never been truly recognised for his massive contribution to Blackpool and we should honour our local heroes.

Charlie Cairoli is mentioned in the 2014 television film Marvellous due to his friendship with the film's subject Neil Baldwin.

In October 2018 Cairoli was honoured with his own Blackpool Heritage Tram - Boatcar 227 in red and ivory livery restored by the Civic Trust to its 1934 condition, with an image of his face on it, and nicknamed "Charlie's Tram".