The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #61830   Message #995843
Posted By: Fiolar
03-Aug-03 - 05:27 AM
Thread Name: Obit: Don Estelle - RIP
Subject: Obit: Don Estelle - RIP
Sad to hear of the death of Don Estelle age 70. The Manchester born comedian and singer came to prominence in the TV sitcom "It Ain't Half Mum" which ran from 1973 to 1981 where he had the part of "Lofty Sugden." He made his stage debut with a group called the Manchester Kentucky Minstrels and later toured music halls and theatres with Windsor Davies who also starred in the TV series. Don who was under five feet in height had a beautiful singing voice and went to number one in the British charts in June 1975 with his version of the Inkspots number "Whispering Grass" where he was accompanied by Windsor. An album called "Sing Lofty" was later released and sold some 80,000 copies. Re-released it sold a further 250,000 making it one of EMI's top twenty best sellers. Hope it "ain't hot" where you are Don.