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Kenny Baker was born on 24 August 1934 in Birmingham, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005), Time Bandits (1981) and The Elephant Man (1980). He was married to Eileen Baker. He died on 13 August 2016 in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK.

Jacqueline Pearce was born on 20 December 1943 in Byfleet, Surrey, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Blake's 7 (1978), David Copperfield (1974) and Doctor Who (1963). She was married to Drewe Henley and Michael Rudman. She died on 3 September 2018 in Lancashire, England, UK.

Ray Mort was born on 10 January 1926 in Bury, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982), The Good Companions (1980) and Doomwatch (1970). He died on 4 July 1994 in Bury, Lancashire, England, UK.

John Comer was born on 1 March 1924 in Manchester, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Last of the Summer Wine (1973), The Family Way (1966) and Murder Most English: A Flaxborough Chronicle (1977). He died on 11 February 1984 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.

Robert Harper (Bobby Ball) and Thomas Derbyshire (Tommy Cannon) were both born in Oldham. They met in the early 1960s while working as welders in the same factory. Becoming friends, they formed a club act known as "Bobby and Stevie Rhythm", which became the Sherrell Brothers, then The Harper Brothers. Initially they were a vocal duo, but over time started to introduce more comedy into their act. They turned professional in the late 1960s, and eventually changed their name to Cannon and Ball.

Their first TV appearance was on "Opportunity Knocks" in 1968, where they came in last. Other early TV work included appearances on The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club (1974) during the 1970s. However, during this time their work remained predominantly in clubs and theaters. Their last TV series was in 1991, by which time tastes had changed and they were not as popular on TV. They continued their theatre summer seasons and pantomimes, where they still drew large audiences. Guest appearances on television continued.

Although things seemed to be going well in the 1980s, things off-stage were darker. Over the years they had gradually estranged to the extent that they no longer spoke to one another except when work demanded. Bobby was drinking heavily, womanizing, and had gained a reputation for violence. In 1986, Ball became a Christian, as did Cannon in 1992. During the 1990s and 2000s, the duo continued working, with theatre tours, summer shows, pantomimes and TV appearances keeping them busy. They performed regular Christian concerts and "evening with..." shows where they spoke about their lives and faith.

Don Estelle was born on 22 May 1933 in Manchester, England, UK. He was an actor, known for It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1974), Not Now, Comrade (1976) and Dad's Army (1968). He was married to Elizabeth Amy Brent and Mary Heywood. He died on 2 August 2003 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, UK.

Elizabeth Lax was born on 8 February 1950 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Likely Lads (1976), Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (1973) and Coronation Street (1960). She was married to Christopher Buckley. She died on 25 June 1996 in Newhey, Rochdale, Lancashire, England, UK.

Born George Hoy Booth in Wigan, Lancashire on 26 May 1904, he later took his father's stage name of George Formby. He briefly attended school where he failed to learn to read or write so was removed from formal education and sent to become a stable boy in Middleham, North Yorkshire, where he later became an apprentice jockey. In 1915 with the closure of the English racing season because of the First World War he moved to Ireland and continued as a jockey until the end of hostilities. Returning to England he raced for Lord Derby's Newmarket stables where he never won a race. Following his father's death in 1921 he gave his professional two week appearance at the Hippodrome in Lancashire where he was paid £5 a week and soon after hired to appear on the Moss Empire chain of theatres at £17 10 shillings a week. Touring around venues in Northern England his act didn't go down well resulting in bouts of unemployment. In 1923 he made two career changing decisions - he bought a ukulele and married Beryl Ingham, an Acrington, Lancashire, born champion champion clog dancer and actress who transformed his act. She insisted he appear on stage formally dressed and introduce his ukulele to his performance.. By June 1926 he'd started his recording career and from 1934 he was increasingly working in films developing into a major star by the late '30's and becoming the U.K.'s most popular and highest paid entertainer. During WWII he worked extensively for the ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) entertaining civilians and troops and touring factories, theatres and concert halls. By 1946 it was estimated that he had performed in front of three million service personnel. After the war his career declined although he toured the commonwealth and continued to appear in variety and pantomime. His last television appearance was in December 1960, two weeks before the death of Beryl. Seven weeks after her funeral he announced his engagement to a school teacher but died in Preston three weeks later at the age of 56. He was buried in Warrington alongside his father.

Derek Acorah was born on 27 January 1950 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Big Fat Gypsy Gangster (2011), Doctor Who (2005) and Crispy's Curse (2017). He was married to Gwen Acorah, Barbara Keeton and Joan Hughes. He died on 3 January 2020 in Bootle, Lancashire, England, UK.

Tony Melody played character parts in many of Britain's most popular TV shows, including Coronation Street (1960), Emmerdale Farm (1972) and Last of the Summer Wine (1973). For 15 years he played the neighbour, Mr. Higginbottom, in The Clitheroe Kid on BBC radio. Melody's long, hangdog face also earned him comedy cameos in Steptoe and Son (1962), Heartbeat (1992), City Central (1998), and Where the Heart Is (1997). Melody also worked in stage shows and films. His big break came with Yanks (1979) starring Richard Gere. Sudden fame came his way when he appeared in a TV McDonald's campaign in 2002. His broadcasting break came in the BBC's North Region in 1955 with What Makes A Star? - a showcase for new talent. His first network television was in 1957 in the Hylda Baker comedy series Be Soon (1957). In the 1980s he was regular on Bergerac (1981), Dalziel and Pascoe (1996). An unassuming man who was shy offscreen and rarely gave interviews. Melody's first marriage was dissolved and in 1972 he married Maggie, a former dancer he met in Skegness. They lived happily ever after.

Violet Carson was born on 1 September 1898 in German Street, Ancoats, Manchester, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Coronation Street (1960), An Age of Kings (1960) and Hilda Lessways (1959). She was married to George Frederick Peploe. She died on 26 December 1983 in Cleveleys, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.

Jim Bowen is an English actor, stand-up comedian and TV personality.

He is best known as the long-time host of the ITV game show Bullseye, which he hosted from its beginning in September 1981 until the end of its 14th series in July 1995.

Bowen has also appeared in TV dramas and comedies. He played a crooked accountant in ITV's 1982 drama Muck and Brass, and later guest starred in BBC1's Jonathan Creek and Channel 4's Phoenix Nights.

In 1999, Bowen began presenting on BBC Radio Lancashire.

Lennie Bennett was born on 26 September 1938 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK. He was a writer and actor, known for Lennie and Jerry (1978), Names and Games (1984) and Rising Stars (1979). He was married to Teresa Jackson and Margaret Blackhouse. He died on 8 April 2009 in Lancaster, Lancashire, England, UK.

Bert Palmer was born on 22 April 1900 in Easingwold, Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for A Kind of Loving (1962), The Avengers (1961) and Nearest and Dearest (1968). He was married to Lynne Carol. He died on 15 January 1980 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.

Roderick Shaw was born on 30 June 1958 in Chelsea, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Adventures of Black Beauty (1972), The Pallisers (1974) and Journey to the Unknown (1968). He died in April 1996 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, UK.

Colin Bean was born on 15 April 1926 in Wigan, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Dad's Army (1971), The Gnomes of Dulwich (1969) and Dad's Army (1968). He died on 20 June 2009 in Wigan, Lancashire, England, UK.

Gordon Langford Rowe was born on 23 September 1936 in Chorley, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Advocate (1993), Blood & Peaches (1995) and Twisted Tales (2005). He was married to Dorothy Rowe. He died on 26 August 2007 in Chorley, Lancashire, England, UK.

Peter Eckersley was born on 7 April 1936 in Leigh, Lancashire, England, UK. He was a producer and writer, known for Wood and Walters (1981), Coronation Street (1960) and Hard Times (1977). He was married to Anne Reid and Eileen Wilson. He died on 27 August 1981 in Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK.

Keith started in show business at the early age of 9 in a comedy act with his father. Two years later when his father retired Keith couldn't find a partner to be a straight man so decided to be a ventriloquist. His father bought him his first 'doll' but after the string broke in the middle of his act he decided to make his own characters. he's had Orville since 1977 and Cuddles since 1967.

Frank Randle was born on 30 January 1901 in Wigan, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Somewhere in Civvies (1943), It's a Grand Life (1953) and Somewhere in England (1940). He was married to May Annie Victoria Douglas. He died on 7 July 1957 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.

He was in a play at Stockport's Theatre Royal when he met 'Teddy', who had been training at the Manchester Ballet School, and had gone back stage . They were married some months later when he was in rep in Halifax. He was called up for war service in June 1940, just after their 3rd child had been born, and spent 5 years with the 1st Battalion Loyals Regiment serving in North Africa and Demobbed as a corporal he returned to rep but with productions often not being forth coming was forced to take other work such as working on building sites, and in an ice cream factory, 3 years delivering bread and a year running a Manchester pub, which was a disaster. In between he managed to get small parts on television then in 1958 he got a staff job with Granada Television as an announcer and did the first announcement for the opening episode of Coronation Street little knowing that some years hence he would be appearing in it. He's married with 5 children - Brian,Ann,Peter, Diana and Michael. His father was a diamond cutter with a jewellery firm.

Kay Purcell was born on 6 December 1963 in Leyland, Lancashire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Bernard's Watch (2004), Tracy Beaker Returns (2010) and Messiah: The Harrowing (2005). She died on 23 December 2020 in Lancashire, England, UK.

Frank Carson was born on 11 June 1926 in Belfast, County Down, Northern Ireland, UK. He was an actor, known for Wild About Harry (2000), Dick Dickman P.I. (2008) and Under and Over (1971). He was married to Ruth Carson. He died on 22 February 2012 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.

Eileen Baker was born on 11 June 1947 in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) and Wombling Free (1977). She was married to Kenny Baker. She died on 23 September 1993 in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK.

Roland Brand was born on 29 November 1929 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was an actor, known for Lolita (1962), BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950) and Fear Is the Key (1972). He died in 1984 in Wigan, Lancashire, England, UK.