Arthur Tolcher

Background

Arthur was managed by his mother Beatrice ("Beef"), who knew Eric Morecambe"s mother well.

Career

When the double act became successful, Eric and Ernie did not forget their friend and he appeared for many years in their television shows. He would come onstage in evening wear and start to play his harmonica (always España cañí/Spanish Gypsy Dance), only to be stopped by Eric and Ernie saying, "Not now, Arthur!" He also played in some longer sketches on their show. In a British Broadcasting Corporation Radio 4 programme in August 2007, Arthur"s life story was narrated by Stewart Henderson.

Although he had applied to work many times for the British Broadcasting Corporation in the 1950s, he was dismissed as being "amateurish".

This did not stop him from performing many backing tracks on hit records for singers such as Frank Ifield. Arthur often worked away, but his home was in Bloxwich for many years.

In 1965, he became godfather to Anthony, the grandson of his and his Mother"s next door neighbours in Broad Lane. Arthur Tolcher, who was a lifelong and devout Roman Catholic, died in March 1987.

Connections

Friend:

London Palladium