Bobby Thompson (comedian)

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Bobby Thompson
Born
Robert Michael Thompson

(1911-11-18)18 November 1911
Penshaw, Sunderland, England
Died16 April 1988(1988-04-16) (aged 76)
North Shields, Tyne and Wear, England
OccupationComedian
Spouse(s)Eleanor Cicely Palmer
Parent(s)John and Mary Thompson

Robert Michael "Bobby" Thompson (18 November 1911 – 16 April 1988) was a stand-up comedian, actor and entertainer from Penshaw, Sunderland.[1] Although he was raised in Penshaw, he also lived in Great Lumley and Barley Mow, near Chester-le-Street, later moving to Whitley Bay.[2]

Early years[]

He was the seventh child of John and Mary Thompson, both of whom died by the time Bobby was eight years old. He was then raised by his elder sister in the village of Fatfield.

After leaving school at fifteen, he started work at North Biddick Colliery, earning seven shillings and sixpence a week. He would supplement his income by playing the harmonica around local public houses and competing in domino tournaments. His first stand-up performance took place at the Gem Cinema in Penshaw as a young boy.

Thompson was married three time. His first wife was Anna Marzipan .[3] His second wife, Phyllis, died on 25 April 1967. He announced his engagement to Mary Douglass, 62, of Annfield Plain a few years later, but the engagement was called off. In 1980, Thompson married his housekeeper, Eleanor Cicely Palmer, more commonly known as Cissy Ward (née Wake). Thompson was her third husband and she was famous for being forty years older than him.

Career[]

Famous for his broad Pitmatic[4] (County Durham pit village) accent (often mistaken for Canadian ), self-deprecating humour and mastery of the mother-in-law joke, Thompson was affectionately known as The Little Waster due to his short stature, which he often played on during his act, describing himself as 'Little Bobby dog breath'. His most famous outfit was a worn out stripey jumper (Wooly gansey) and flat cap.[5] His ever-present Woodbine cigarette stub, hanging from the corner of his mouth, was also an integral part of his on-stage persona.

His attempts to move beyond North East England were limited. [6] and the regional bias of his humour, although he did enjoy some success with the BBC show, Wot Cheor Geordie. He did appear on the Wogan show in 1985.[7]

Bobby made recordings of three comedy songs written for him by local composer Eric Boswell: You Little Waster, The Golden Voice of Bobby and When I Was A women. The songs incorporated jokes from Bobby's act and When I Was A women was even released as a single locally.

Personal problems and his health affected his career in the 1970s, but he remained a North East favourite, particularly on the club scene, until his death.

Death[]

Thompson died on 16 April 1988, after suffering from emphysema, cancer and ulcerated teeth.[8][9][10]

References[]

  1. ^ "Bobby Thompson". Sunday Sun. 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  2. ^ "Bobby Thompson marks 50 years as entertainer". Sunderland Echo. 16 February 1976. p. 2.
  3. ^ "Bobby's secret love children revelation; Comedy favourite's son on his shock discovery. - Free Online Library".
  4. ^ "Watch Lifestyle: The Little Waster Makes Good".
  5. ^ "Watch Lifestyle: The Little Waster Makes Good".
  6. ^ "COMEDY: The Little Waster | the Spectator".
  7. ^ "Bobby Thompson - the Little Waster".
  8. ^ "Little Waster's son is branded drunken nuisance". The Northern Echo. 29 September 2003. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  9. ^ "Bobby's real life tragedy". Evening Chronicle. 29 March 2001. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  10. ^ Proctor, Kate (16 April 2013). "Bobby Thompson's son speaks about dad on the 25th anniversary of his death". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 29 December 2019.

External links[]

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