A BIOGRAPHY on East Lancashire's most famous comedian has hit a snag -- because there is not enough information on his 'grandad.'

Life-long fan Sandra Skuse has been working on the story of Jimmy Clitheroe since last year, chronicling his transformation from a childhood joker in Blacko to a massive star, whose radio shows were popular with millions.

The pint-sized comic was best-known for his cheeky schoolboy humour. His first radio show Call Me led to a weekly series called the The Clitheroe Kid, which became the longest running comedy show in the history of British radio, on air from 1957 until 1972.

Sandra, of Woking, in Surrey, has visited Jimmy's home town of Clitheroe, where he was born at Wilkin Street -- now Highfield Road -- before moving to Blacko, near Nelson, and has gleamed valuable information.

An appeal in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph last year also provided Sandra with realms of research.

But Sandra said she is struggling for information on Peter Sinclair who played Jimmy's granddad in his radio shows.

Sandra, who also runs the British Comedy Appreciation Society, said: "You can't do a book on Jimmy Clitheroe and not mention Peter Sinclair. They were so well known together.

"Peter was from Scotland and I've got some information from the Scottish Musical Society but I could do with more."

Sandra said Peter's background may not be too familiar with people in East Lancashire although appealed for anybody to help.

If anybody does have information they can log on to the website.

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The life and times of Jimmy Clitheroe

Jimmy Clitheroe was born in 1921 in Clitheroe. His surname was a complete coincidence.

Jimmy never grew any taller than 4ft 3in, allowing him to play the naughty Lancashire schoolboy character for which he was famed.

He never had a girlfriend and was loathe to reveal his true age .

Jimmy got his first big break in 1939 when he appeared alongside Britain's top music hall box office draws Arthur Lucan and Kitty McShane.

He continued to appear in panto throughout his life .

Jimmy set a record number of appearances in Blackpool summer seasons.

His most famous film roles were with George Formby in 'Much too Shy' and with Terry Thomas in 'Rocket to the Moon'.

He starred in two ITV series between 1963 and 1968 - his mother was played by Mollie Sugden.

Jimmy's radio show 'The Clitheroe Kid' ran on Radio 4 from 1958 to 1972 and at its peak attracted 10 million listeners.

A young Bob Monkhouse appeared in the 1957 pilot series as did Violet Carson and Jack Howarth, who went on to achieve fame as Ena Sharples and Albert Tatlock in Coronation Street.

His catchprases included 'I'm all there with me cough drops" (a Lancashire term for being quick-witted) and "Don't some mothers 'ave 'em?"

Jimmy was found dead at his home in Blackpool on the day of his mother's funeral in June 1973.

An inquest revealed he had taken an accidental dose of sleeping pills.