Les Dawson wasn’t like other comedians. More accurately, he was an artist.
A secret poet, voracious reader, distinguished writer, adroit musician, versatile actor and charming presenter, Dawson’s talents ran the entire creative gamut.
He just happened to be riotously funny as well.
2 February marks the birthday of one of the greatest performers that Britain has ever seen: A dexterous, sharp-witted national treasure who was taken from us too soon.
Born in Collyhurst in 1931, Dawson first caught the public eye during an appearance on Opportunity Knocks in the 1960s, quickly turning into one of the country’s most popular stage personas.
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Introducing regional northern humour to the wider masses, Dawson would make the kind of jokes most people could relate to – favouring a gruff, deadpan delivery and purposely playing the wrong notes on the piano during performances, grumbling about his mistakes to the chuckling crowd.
Impeccable comic timing aside, Dawson also had a knack for slapstick – boasting a bizarre ability to pull mangled faces that sent audiences into fits of giggles (an old injury meant he could fold his jaw right up over his lip).
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He created characters for his comic routines, too – teaming up with fellow comic Roy Barraclough to portray two gossipy millworkers Cissie Braithwaite and Ada Shufflebotham.
For the more risque subjects, the duo would mouth any rude words to one another – much in the same way that Lancashire women of old used to do amid the racket of the northern mills.
Les Dawson was born in Collyhurst on 2 February 1931 / Credit: BBC
By the sixties, Dawson had become one of the most prevalent faces in British comedy. But he took the scenic route to reach the stage.
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In his youth, he had dreams of becoming a novelist – and temporarily swapped his humble surroundings of Collyhurst to mingle with the art crowd in the illustrious French capital .
This early part of his life was portrayed in an episode of Sky Art series Urban Myths in 2020 – revealing how Dawson was ultimately waylaid during his time in Paris and found himself plonked at the seat of a piano in a local brothel.
It was here, seemingly, that Dawson found he could make punters laugh – deliberately striking incorrect keys and throwing some jokes in for good measure.
After finding his feet on the comedy circuit, Dawson would go on to enjoy long television career that included credits for Fast Friends, Blankety Blank, Sez Les and Dawson’s Weekly.
He married twice and had four children – including Charlotte who went on to become a reality TV star.
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Dawson developed his first set of serious health problems in the eighties, and after awaiting medical results at Whalley Range Hospital in 1993, the comedian suddenly collapsed and died of a heart attack.
He was 62.
In 2008, a statue of Dawson was placed in the gardens by St Anne’s-on-Sea pier in Lancashire – where he had lived for several years.
The statue of comedian Les Dawson / Image: Steve Daniels – Geograph
Wherever he went, whoever he played to, he’d often get the whole room laughing.
Featured Image – BBC
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Paul Merson slams ‘pathetic’ plans for Manchester United’s new stadium
Danny Jones
Ex-footballer and pundit Paul Merson has branded the recently revealed plans for Manchester United’s new stadium as “pathetic” in a recent interview.
The former Arsenal and Aston Villa turned manager, commentator and TV personality spoke to Sky Sports this week after the CGIs for what some supporters are already dubbing ‘New Trafford’ were shown to the world on Tuesday.
Now, while it’s fair to say the designs have been pretty divisive, for Merson it’s still a headscratcher as to why United supporters want to leave such a historic ground and one that is still the second-largest football stadium in the country for something new and so different.
The 56-year-old didn’t hold back when giving his opinion on the matter, insisting, “If I was a Man United fan I’d be fuming.”
"I think it's pathetic…if I'm a Man United fan, I'll be fuming"
Paul Merson shares his honest opinion on Manchester United's new stadium plans 😨 pic.twitter.com/A74xeKwkpG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 13, 2025
As you can see, ‘Merse’ begins by saying he has “no interest at all”, adding that he thinks “It’s pathetic […] they’ve got one of the biggest stadiums in the Premier League” and therefore aren’t necessarily crying out for more seats, nor an entirely new sporting arena.
It’s worth noting that Old Trafford’s capacity hasn’t necessarily been the issue or priority in recent years: dated facilities, lack of technology such as screens for VAR and the infamous leaking roof, which has been taken into account by architects Foster + Partners.
“Why would you need a new stadium?”, he asks, before going on to suggest that they “need new players” instead and should be more worried about the team and finishing in the top six, “let alone Champions League.”
It’s no secret that the Red Devils’ steady slump out of the premier European competition has cost them significantly in recent years, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe delivering some alarming revelations about the state of the club’s finances in an interview with Gary Neville prior to the stadium reveal.
Merson summarises his opinion by saying, “I can’t believe what I’ve been seeing over the last couple of days – I’m flabbergasted.” Meanwhile, many people are chiefly concerned with how the stadium is going to be paid for, despite Mayor Andy Burnham’s reassurance that “no public money” will be used.
‘New Trafford’ is set to cost £2 billion and could be completed within five years.
Merson might have very strong opinions on Man United building a new stadium, to begin with, but what we’ve really enjoyed is seeing people’s reactions to the admittedly striking design.
Stockport-born Michelle Keegan, who also starred in Coronation Street, has been flooded with well-wishes after sharing the news of the arrival of their baby.
The official Coronation Street account wrote: “Congratulations to you both. Love from everyone here at Corrie x”
In a comment directed at Mark, Joe Wicks said: “Ffs I’m crying over here. I know how much you’ve wanted to be a dad and you’ll be an amazing dad too. This is the most beautiful thing to see. So happy for you both.”