Merseyside Mirth Makers - Eddie Colinton

Merseyside entertainers

There had now started a period of stand-up comics coming from Merseyside who were joke tellers and we've already mentioned the likes of Johnny Hackett, Stevie Faye and George Roper. Many others were also very good such as Lee Brennan, Bobby Kaye, Bobby Shack and Hal Nolan who, although well known in the local area, never became as well known nationwide. One who did slightly make a break through was a very funny man called Eddie Colinton.

Eddie Colinton

Eddie Colinton was born in 1936 in Colinton Road, Wavertree, Liverpool, as Edward Vaill before moving to Skelmersdale later in life to settle down. He grew up in Wavertree, not far from Wavertree Cricket Club, and took his stage name from the name of the street where he lived.

A former firefighter, Eddie became a comic in his early 40s and soon became a hit on the club circuit at home and abroad appearing at Valentines Nightclub, Benidorm as well as the Fred Olsen Cruise liner MS Braemar. He made a big impact with a guest spot on the BBC's Wogan in 1986 and later made regular appearances on Sky TV. However his biggest break came in 1992 on the Granada TV show 'The Comedians'.

 

This heavyweight comic was self deprecating and happily put himself down, telling audiences: "I'm only five-foot eight tall. In fact, I'm taller when I'm lying down." He famously persuaded airlines and bus companies to remove arm rests to let him spread his frame across two seats as he weighed 22 stone. He made an appearance on the TV show Celebrity Squares in 1995.

 

 

When Eddie passed away in 2002 Ken Dodd said of him: "Eddie was a brilliant comedian, great personality and a very nice man. He was a big man in every way - a lot of people will be unaware, for example, that he and his wife Margaret fostered well over 100 children. It is a very sad loss."

Ricky Tomlinson said: "I loved him; he was a smashing fella. And I used to love one of his opening lines on stage; 'I'll just move this microphone stand, so you can see me'. He will be dearly missed.''

Radio Merseyside DJ Billy Butler said: "He loved taking the mickey out of himself. He was once asked if he'd been out with many women and replied;`Well, I've squashed a few'. While other entertainers left the area, Eddie was one of those who kept Merseyside laughing.''

Comic Micky Finn said, "Eddie was a gentleman - and a fine comic. He was well-known for always being immaculately dressed - although I remember him saying 'I paid £80 for this pair of shoes - and I haven't even seen them yet!"

Eddie died aged 66 on December 28, 2002 of heart failure in Ormskirk, Lancashire.

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