Trivia

A highly popular radio and TV performer in South Africa who began his career entertaining the troops as a stand-up comic in England during WWII.

Started life in extremely humble surroundings. One of five siblings, he was the only one to survive childhood. His father, Sam, was a petty crook and drunkard and his mother, Nell, a Cockney from the east end of London, was an usherette at the Alhambra theatre in Cape Town.

A character player known for his bushy brows and ornery demeanor, he moved to South Africa in 1967 after filming The Cape Town Affair (1967).

He was married twice and had three sons - Sean, Matthew and Jamie.

Acted in several West End productions including the musicals "Guys and Dolls" and "Kiss Me Kate", the latter in which he did a double act highlight with comedian Sidney James, singing the show stopper "Brush up your Shakespeare".

His first wife and Bruce Forsyth's first wife were sisters.