Jimmy Clitheroe

James Robinson Clitheroe (24 December 1921 – 6 June 1973) was an English comic entertainer. He is best remembered for his long-running BBC Radio programme, The Clitheroe Kid (1956–1972).

Early years Jimmy Clitheroe was born on Christmas Eve 1921 in Clitheroe, Lancashire, England, to weavers Emma Pye and James Robert Clitheroe, who had married in 1918. His place of birth was his maternal grandparents' home at 58 Wilkin Street (now called Highfield Road). His childhood was spent in the mill village of Blacko, near Nelson,

An only child, he was named after his mother's younger brother, James Robinson Pye. Born in Clitheroe in 1894, Pye was killed in action in the First World War.

According to newspapers in 1938, Clitheroe was tall at the age of 16. Although his father was over tall, Jimmy never grew any taller than – about the average height for an eight- or nine-year-old boy. His small size was thought to be caused by his thyroid gland being damaged at birth during a forceps delivery. According to author Robert Ross, however, Jimmy's short stature was due to a rare genetic disorder, and until later life he could easily pass for an 11-year-old, which was the character he played on stage, in his early films, and on radio and television. He made his pantomime debut in 1938, alongside the bumptious "Two Ton" Tessie O'Shea. In pantomime he was usually cast as Buttons, Tom Thumb, or Wishee Washee. In 1959, he was invited to take part in the Royal Command variety show, in the presence of the Queen Mother.

His long-running radio programme on the BBC, The Clitheroe Kid, was broadcast from 1956 until August 1972. His catchphrase was "Don't some mothers 'ave 'em!" Two versions of the radio series were produced for television on the ITV network: That's My Boy! (which ran for seven episodes in 1963), followed by Just Jimmy (which ran for five years, between 1964 and 1968). His mother in Just Jimmy was played by Mollie Sugden, who had worked with Clitheroe in his stage shows.

Clitheroe owned a bookmaker's shop on Springfield Road, Blackpool, and the Fernhill Hotel at Preesall. He appeared on the Blackpool stage from 1936 until 1971. The Clitheroe Kid was cancelled by the BBC in August 1972 after a 16-year run.

Personal life From 1960 onwards, Clitheroe lived in a bungalow at 118 Bispham Road in Blackpool with his mother, to whom he was devoted. His father had died on 9 January 1951, from complications arising from injuries sustained in the First World War. His funeral was held on 11 June 1973 at Carleton Crematorium, attended by over 300 people. For many years he was commemorated there by a plaque attached to memorial tree Number 3.

Filmography Old Mother Riley in Society (1940) with Lucan and McShane – as Boots Much Too Shy (1942) with George Formby – as Jimmy Rhythm Serenade (1943) with Dame Vera Lynn – as Joey Somewhere in Politics (1948) with Frank Randle – as Sonny School for Randle (1949) with Frank Randle – as Jimmy Stars in Your Eyes (1956) with Nat Jackley – as Joey