Jack Howarth

John Aubrey Conway Howarth (19 February 1896 – 31 March 1984) was an English actor primarily known to television audiences, though he also worked across stage, radio and film. Howarth went to school with the singer and actress Gracie Fields. As a child, he sold theatre programmes at the Theatre Royal, Rochdale.

Career Theatre Howarth made his theatre debut in 1908 at the age of twelve playing juvenile roles on stage alongside his father. He joined the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1915 and served in France and Belgium in the First World War, after which he found work running a small cinema.

Career Theatre Howarth's first theatre appearance was in Bram Stokers Dracula in 1924, in a company run by Hamilton Dean.

Television, radio and film In 1947 Howarth became one of the first television performers at Alexandra Palace. He recalled, "I once played Humpty Dumpty when the director decided I had to wear a costume like a big egg, with little arms and legs. It was very hot and uncomfortable and when I got to the Jabberwocky poem I dried up, but kept talking. When we did the repeat later, I dried up at exactly the same place." Reflecting on his role as Albert, Howarth said he would never have joined the cast of Coronation Street had he known it would run so long. However, when he was awarded the MBE in 1983, he stated that he had no intention of leaving the series, and he remained with the show until his death aged 88. Producer Mervyn Watson stated he was most likely at that time the oldest working actor in England. The couple were married for almost 55 years until Howarth's death, and had a son, John Murgatroyd Howarth, in Rochdale, in 1930. It was reported that Howarth bought his wife so much jewellery that she had to keep it in the bank. The couple had a flat in London and a suite at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, which he used while he was filming Coronation Street. His interests included travel and paintings along with cricket and circuses.

Prior to his death, Howarth had a lengthy absence from filming Coronation Street, explained by a storyline of Albert visiting his daughter. There was press speculation in several newspapers that Howarth was due to leave Coronation Street and his contract would not be renewed in November 1984. However, these were disputed by Granada, stating that he was due to return to filming at the end of April 1984. His wife was reported as saying just over a month before his death "Jack has no intention of resigning. He will be in Coronation Street for as long as Granada want him."

His death meant that William Roache, who played Albert Tatlock's nephew-in-law, Ken Barlow, was the only original actor left on Coronation Street at that time.

Howarth's son died on 4 January 2016, aged 85.

Filmography

Permanent role YearTitleRoleNotes1960–1984 Coronation Street Albert Tatlock 1304 episodes, (final appearance)

Charity work and honours Howarth was the subject of This Is Your Life in November 1974 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews on the set of Coronation Street. When Andrews said, "I'm taking you to London", Howarth replied "Oh no, you're not, you know." He was eventually persuaded to appear on the show, joined by the cast of Coronation Street, with tributes from stars including Bryan Mosley, Betty Driver, Eileen Derbyshire, Margot Bryant, Thora Hird and Arthur Lowe.

Howarth was made an MBE in January 1983 for his charity work, especially for supporting the disabled and children with general learning difficulties. He was national vice-president for Scope and left them £250 in his will. Howarth had raised more than £50,000 for the charity by collecting a donation each time he signed an autograph.