Tony Hannan

A hugely detailed look at the origins of northern comedy which surprises and delights in every chapter. I downloaded the Kindle version of this book whilst the author was doing a piece to camera in a recently-transmitted TV programme about Morecambe & Wise, and I'm so glad I did.

This book shows the connections between music-hall turns of yesteryear like Frank Randle and the comedy greats of today, like Peter Kay. It has alerted me to many missed comedy gems, as well, and I am particularly looking forward to seeing the DVD of "Funny Bones" which I have ordered on the strength of the comments in this book about the performances of the northern comedians who appear as minor characters in the film.

A delightful work, both comprehensive and nostalgic. It cheered me up no end. I say "it cheered me up no end"!… (meer)

I enjoyed this biography of the late Eddie Waring. The author, Tony Hannan, provides a series of insights into Eddie's background and life. Rugby league features prominently, as you would expect, but there is other material as well, including several descriptions of places in the north of England, pen portraits of Eddie's colleagues and, for me, a moving chapter on the early effects of Alzheimer's disease. The book is very well indexed, and there is a lovely postscript by Eddie's nephew Harry Waring as well.… (meer)