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| Ten Thousand Motels |
Un-PC Humour Brought Manning Millions
Monday June 18, 2007
Sky News
Comic legend Bernard Manning, who has died in hospital at the age of 76, was one of the most controversial names in British comedy.
His act was considered sexist and racist by many - although Manning always denied he was racist.
He learned his craft at a young age, and shot to fame in the 1970s when he appeared in the ITV stand-up show The Comedians along with Stan Boardman and Frank Carson.
But the heavyweight funny man, who suffered from diabetes, was dogged by ill-health in later life, and was being treated for kidney problems at North Manchester General Hospital.
Only five weeks ago he held his own "living wake" for a TV documentary and told the audience: "I'm going to be with you for a long time yet, so don't you worry about me."
Earlier this month, he cancelled a gig for the first time in 60 years as he was rushed to hospital with a kidney problem.
His world revolved around his home in Alkrington, Greater Manchester, where he owned the Embassy Club.
He was forced to close the club for a few months in 1999 due to illness and was delighted when his son, the 'younger' Bernard, as he likes to be known, took over and saved it from extinction.
The son of a greengrocer, Manning was born in 1930 in Ancoats, one of Manchester's poorest suburbs.
Manning, who was the second of three brothers and two sisters, once recalled: "We had absolutely nothing. One cold water tap in the house, no bath, outside toilet".
Raised as an altar boy, he lived with his parents and two brothers in Blackley where the family slept five in a bed.
Manning left the Roman Catholic Mount Carmel School when he was 14 to work in a cigarette factory, and between 1948 and 1950 was stationed in Berlin during his stint of National Service.
It was during this time that he began doing stand-up shows to entertain the troops, and was also a lead vocalist for The Oscar Rabin Band.
In 1959 he bought the World Famous Embassy Club, on Rochdale Road, with his father, and for 40 years performed three or four stand-up shows a week with his unique brand of humour.
But it was not until talent scouts spotted him in the club in 1971 that he made the big time, and made his TV debut.
He went on to become one of Britain's richest stand up comedians, amassing a multi-million pound fortune.
Because of his style of humour, he found himself banned from venues up and down the country, with organisers fearing a backlash if they were seen to be associated with his sometimes contentious views.
He leaves a son, Bernard, and three grandchildren.
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| Joey |
RIP |
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| JaggerLips |
RIP |
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| gimmekeef |
Thought he was starting at QB for the Browns this year? |
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