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The Official Harry Worth Website
 * About Harry
   * Biography
   * Harry On Video
   * Harry Worth Blue Plaque
   * Watch & Listen To Harry
   * Available Media
   * Links
 * Co Stars
   * Edwin Apps
   * Lally Bowers
   * Ronnie Brody
   * Billy Burden
   * Fanny Carby
   * Jonathan Cecil
   * Debbie Cumming
   * Paddy Edwards
   * Sonia Graham
   * Geoffrey Hibbert
   * Noel Hood
   * John Horsley
   * Reginald Marsh
   * Tom Mennard
   * Patrick Newell
   * Ivor Salter
   * Vi Stevens
   * Giles Watling
   * Richard Wattis
   * Jack Woolgar
 * About
   * Contact Us


HARRY WORTH


THE STORY OF ONE OF BRITAIN'S BEST LOVED COMEDIANS

 

 

On November 20th 1917 at 47 Fitzwilliam Street, Hoyland Common, Near Barnsley
the world was introduced to Harry Bourlon Illingsworth. Little did his parents
know then that any confusion, mayhem or disruption he may have caused entering
this world would pale in to insignificance to that which was to follow in later
years.
Harrys flair for show business became evident when, armed with a Magic Lantern,
he used to put on shows in his shed, charging other children to watch. While at
school a visiting ventriloquist gave a show and Harry was immediately hooked.
On leaving school he worked at the Silkstone mine and while down the pit he was
constantly practicing his voice throwing skills. The practicing paid off when he
won an amateur concert at the Alhambra Theatre, Barnsley as a Ventriloquist.
Although it was tradition to work down the pit the attraction of the footlights
was beckoning so in 1938 he became a full time entertainer and worked the local
Working Mens Clubs.
During the war he entered the RAF as a fitter and on being de-mobed he got an
engagement at West Cliff Gardens, Clacton where he was billed as The Versatile
Vent. It was here he met Kay Flynn who was to later become his wife. In 1952 he
toured with Laurel & Hardy and it was them that persuaded him to try his act
without the ventriloquist dummies. It paid off and due to his nervousness his
bumbling hesitant manner was born.
In 1958 he was spotted by producer John Ammonds and was given his first TV show.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Harry continued to work right up until a few months before his death in 1989.
The whole story is now available in a book. Click the biography link for
details.
Click here to see an interview with Harry's daughter Jo about his appearance on
This Is Your Life


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