17 Facts About Jimmy Clitheroe

James Robinson Clitheroe was an English comic entertainer.

Jimmy Clitheroe is best remembered for his long-running BBC Radio programme, The Clitheroe Kid.

Jimmy Clitheroe was born in Clitheroe, Lancashire, England on Christmas Eve, 1921 to weavers Emma Pye and James Robert Clitheroe, who had married in 1918.

Jimmy Clitheroe's childhood was spent in the mill village of Blacko, near Nelson, living at 14 Spout Houses, a row of terraced houses below Blacko Tower.

Jimmy Clitheroe 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.

Jimmy Clitheroe made his first pantomime appearance in 1938, alongside the bumptious "Two Ton" Tessie O'Shea.

In 1959, Jimmy Clitheroe was invited to take part in the Royal Command variety show, in the presence of the Queen Mother.

Jimmy Clitheroe owned a bookmaker's shop on Springfield Road, Blackpool, and the Fernhill Hotel at Preesall.

Jimmy Clitheroe appeared on the Blackpool stage from 1936 until 1971.

In September 1972, The Jimmy Clitheroe Kid was cancelled by the BBC after a 16-year run.

From 1960 onwards, Jimmy Clitheroe lived in a bungalow at 118 Bispham Road in Blackpool with his mother, to whom he was devoted.

Jimmy Clitheroe's father had died on 9 January 1951, from complications arising from injuries sustained in the First World War.

On 30 March 1973, Jimmy Clitheroe collapsed in his hotel room in Plymouth, while touring in a variety show, and spent four days in hospital.

Jimmy Clitheroe died on Wednesday, 6 June 1973 from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, combined with seven brandies, on the day of his mother's funeral.

Jimmy Clitheroe was found unconscious in bed by relatives and died later that day in hospital in Blackpool.

Jimmy Clitheroe's mother had died five days before, aged 84.

Jimmy Clitheroe's 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.