I’m Adrian Uwalaka, a freelance production designer /art director for film & tv, Back in ’94 & ’95 I was the set design assistant on ‘Last Of The Summer Wine’ for BBC TV.

It was deeply an honor to meet Sir Norman on location.

I recall it was in a large hall in Slaithwaite where we filmed his ‘piano piece’ on stage as ‘Billy Ingleton’.

It was produced by John Fisher. Beginning in 1995, it followed a 2½ hour more general programme from 1992.

Robert Alan ‘Bob’ Monkhouse OBE was an English entertainer. He was a successful comedy writer, comedian and actor and was also well known on British television as a presenter and game show host. Monkhouse was famous for his one-line jokes.
 

After giving us almost six decades of laughter, it is no surprise Norman Wisdom has been named the ultimate Legend of Comedy.

Throughout this year’s Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival, the Mercury asked readers to vote for their favourite of 20 comedy greats who have performed at the event in its 20-year history.

Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth announced the Legend of Comedy winner during the festival’s annual awards ceremony last night.

He said: “This was a very popular public vote and I’m very grateful to all our readers who got involved. It’s a terrific result because Norman Wisdom was a patron of the Leicester festival from when it started and his comedy is universal.

“His work is loved by people of all ages and appeals to people all over the world, so it’s very fitting to be able to honour him in this way.”

The late Sir Norman’s manager, Johnny Mans, was present at the awards ceremony, which was held at The City Rooms, in the city centre.

Other award recipients included Romesh Ranganathan, who picked up the gong for the best show of the festival.

The former maths teacher, who was chosen by a judging panel, also claimed the title of Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year this year.

Festival organisers have a panel of comedy fans who rated almost 500 shows throughout the two-week event.

The Make Me Happy award went to comedian Rob Gee for his performance at Leicester Central Library on February 20, while the Best New Show award went to Brett Goldstein who performed at the Belmont Hotel in New Walk on February 12.

De Montfort University received a lifetime contribution award, while its radio station, Demon FM, received an award for its contribution.

Festival founder and director Geoff Rowe said: “I was a student at De Montfort University when I put on the first festival in 1994 and the university was very supportive then.

“It’s continued to be a sponsor and remains hugely committed to the festival.”

The Criterion, in Millstone Lane, was named best small venue, while Just the Tonic, in Granby Street, was named the best big venue.

Geoff said: “Just the Tonic made a good contribution to the festival this year, bringing in people like Johnny Vegas.

“The Criterion had a varied programme and there was always a great atmosphere there.”

thisisleicestershire

He has also recorded thirty-six albums and has had four top-ten singles, including a number one hit with I Pretend.

It was transmitted from the Pebble Mill studios of BBC Birmingham, and uniquely, was hosted from the centre’s main foyer area, rather than a conventional studio.

In the beginning, visitors to the studios were seen arriving in the background as the programme was transmitted.

But now everything is about to change for the 92-year-old comedy legend. His former PA and live-in carer, Ann Axe, has decided she can’t cope with looking after him all year round any more. Norman’s children, both of whom live 300 miles away in Sussex, are faced with a dilemma about what to do with their father.

From street urchin to knight of the realm: the story of Norman Wisdom, who used to be one of the biggest film stars in the UK.

Portraying a man who rarely stepped out of character in public, and whose highly individual comic style hid the private tragedy of his early life.

He also went onto say how he got part’s in certain programs and some of the funny tricks he would pull on un-suspected people.

Since speaking on Sky News Johny has released a press statement regarding Sir Norman – Click Here to read.
 
 
 

They also pay tribute to Sir Norman talking to friends and discussing he’s climb to fame and becoming a household name.

“After Charlie Chaplin, he was the biggest comedy star in Albania. I still remember his character Pitkin and his boss Mr Grimsdale,” he said.

“He was very popular with everyone from very young people to very old people and he made us laugh at a time, in the communist period, when there were not many reasons to laugh.”