Allan Smethurst

Allan Francis Smethurst (19 November 1927 – 22 December 2000), the son of Allan and Gladys Mabel (née Curson), Smethurst was raised in Sheringham, Norfolk, from the age of 11. His mother came from the village of Stiffkey, 15 miles to the west. It is often thought that he became a postman in Lavenham, Suffolk, but photos of him in the area are just promotional material. Smethurst joined the Post Office in 1953,

In 1966, the Singing Postman's best known hit "Hev Yew Gotta Loight, Boy?" won Smethurst the Ivor Novello Award for best novelty song of the year. He was cremated at Grimsby Crematorium.

In September 2010, a BBC Radio 4 programme, In Search of the Singing Postman was broadcast; it was written and presented by D. J. Taylor.

Discography Albums The Singing Postman's Year (RTP, 1966)

Recorded Delivery (Parlophone, 1966) The Sound Barrier (Parlophone, 1967)

The Best of the Singing Postman (Starline, 1967) First Class Male (1971, Gemini) Hev Yew Gotta Loight, Boy? (Parlophone, 2005)

Singles and EPs "First Delivery EP" (EMI, 1966) "Second Delivery EP" (Parlophone, 1966) "Third Delivery EP" (Parlophone, 1966) "Fourth Delivery EP" (Parlophone, 1966) "Ladies Darts Team" / "Roundabout" (Parlophone, 1966) "Mind How You Go" (Parlophone, 1967) "Please Mr. Postman" (Parlophone, 1967) "Fertilising Lisa" / "Ballad of A Ten Bob Note" (President PVK.005, 1977) "Hey the Bottom Dropped Owt" (Ralph Tuck, 1997)