I don't think you have to be a fan. I just knew he did a job that required skill of the type few of these people - can imagine. Yeh you gave a speech, and one night they let you flog the raffle tickets at the vegetarian folk club - I don't think you have been within a million miles of Manning's red in claw venues.

Actually the joke about south africa is cock on as a comment on that country's racism at the time.I wonder how many of these judgemental gits were banking with Barclays and buying south african fruit throughout that period. That's the thing in a way - little people like us - we don't get much chance to say anything.

I know I was working for Aveling Barfords sending dumper trucks and other equipment to the south African mines. And damned glad to have the job. Its not easy opting out.

He was all the nasty things and had all the nasty attitudes that so many of that generation had. But he would go unremarked as a thousand others in the obituary columns of your local paper with those same attitudes do - were he not talented.

he was originally I believe a singer for one of the bigger dance bands. Theres a lot of musicians humour in there - that sort of edginess that gives it its bite, from trying to crack up the band.

But as we've said you don't have to like him, or understand where he's coming from. I can't help feeling though, you're letting your critical faculties have a bit of a rest day. Nothing new about that on the cat unfortunately. However do yourself a favour occasionally - try and think outside what your 'set' want you to think.

Theres a wonderful phrase in Albert Goldman's biography of Lenny Bruce - 'the bravery of the common showbiz footsoldier'. Grossman used it in describing why Bruce succeeded when many more brilliant comics than Bruce just gave up - faced with Summer seasons in the Catskills and tours of the midwest, pissed up boorish audiences

Manning had that 'bravery of the common showbiz footsoldier' by the bucket load. Render unto Caeser....