Stan Stennett

Stanley Llewelyn Stennett MBE (30 July 1925 – 26 November 2013) was a Welsh comedian, actor and jazz musician.

Stan Stennett
MBE
Stennett in 2008
Born
Stanley Llewelyn Stennett

(1925-07-30)30 July 1925
Pencoed, Bridgend, Wales, UK
Died26 November 2013(2013-11-26) (aged 88)
Cardiff, Wales, UK
OccupationMusician, comedian, actor

Biography

Stennett was born in Pencoed, Bridgend.[1] During World War II, he served in the army and also worked as an entertainer. He made his professional stage debut with a group called the Harmaniacs. In 1940, he became resident comedian on variety radio show, Welsh Rarebit, and he gained further success as one of the regular comedy guests on The Black and White Minstrel Show.[1]

In the 1990s Stennett presented a country music show on Pontypridd Community Radio Station GTFM, having been introduced by former Valleys Radio/BBC presenter Steve Powell.

Television

Although primarily a comedian, who appeared in variety shows and pantomime throughout the UK, Stennett played "straight" acting roles in television programmes such as Coronation Street and Casualty. He was best known as Sid Hooper in the ITV soap opera, Crossroads, before taking a lease in 1980 on the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.[1]

Stennett was a friend of Eric Morecambe, and hosted a show at The Roses that was to be Morecambe's final appearance, on 27 May 1984, immediately after which Morecambe died of a heart attack.[2] Stennett played trumpet and guitar. In his 80s he was still performing onstage. His autobiography, Fully Booked, was published in 2010.[3]

Honours

Stennett was initiated into the exclusive fraternity, the Grand Order of Water Rats in 1959 and was a Fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.[4] He was awarded an MBE in the 1979 honours list.

Death

Stennett died at the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff on 26 November 2013, at the age of 88.[5]

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References
  1. Dennis Barker (26 November 2013). "Stan Stennett obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  2. "Poignant tribute to Eric". Chortle. 27 May 1984. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  3. "Welsh Icons: profile of Stan Stennett". Archived from the original on 27 July 2011.
  4. "Biography of a Water Rat". Gowr.co.uk.
  5. "Entertainer Stan Stennett dies aged 88". Bbc.co.uk. 26 November 2013.
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