Picture a British comedian who turned mother-in-law jokes into an art form and penned novels with the wit of a literary maestro—meet Les Dawson! Born in Manchester’s working-class Collyhurst in 1931, Dawson’s journey from a bricklayer’s son to a beloved TV star and writer is a tale of grit, gags, and genius. His deadpan humor and curmudgeonly charm made him a household name, blending lowbrow laughs with highbrow wordplay.
The Making of Les Dawson
Les Dawson grew up in poverty, dodging rent collectors and changing schools often. Despite his tough start, young Les showed a knack for words, secretly writing poetry inspired by 19th-century essayist Charles Lamb. After stints as an apprentice electrician and a Parisian pianist (or so he claimed in his colorful autobiography), Dawson found his calling in northern England’s working men’s clubs. His big break came in 1967 on Opportunity Knocks, where his lugubrious delivery and piano-playing gags won hearts overnight.
Les Dawson’s Unforgettable Works
Dawson’s television career was a masterclass in comedy. His ITV show Sez Les (1969–76) showcased his iconic Cissie and Ada sketches, where he and Roy Barraclough played gossiping Lancashire women with a nod to pantomime dames. These routines, full of innuendo and ‘mee-mawing’ (mouthing indelicate words), captured the earthy spirit of northern life. On BBC’s The Les Dawson Show (1978–89), he introduced the Roly Polys, a troupe of plus-sized dancers, proving his knack for subversive charm. As host of Blankety Blank (1984–90), Dawson’s cheeky banter turned a simple quiz show into comedy gold.
Beyond the screen, Dawson’s literary talents shone. His autobiography, A Clown Too Many, revealed a sensitive soul beneath the gruff exterior, while his Chandler-esque novel Well Fared, My Lovely blended hard-boiled detective tropes with humor. His sci-fi novel A Time Before Genesis tackled wild themes like UFOs and the Second Coming, showing his fearless versatility. Dawson’s writing, laced with poetic flourishes and wordplay, reflected his love for language and his refusal to be pigeonholed as ‘just’ a comedian.
Why Les Dawson Matters
Les Dawson’s impact on British comedy is undeniable. His ability to marry working-class humor with intellectual wit paved the way for comedians like Peter Kay and Johnny Vegas. His Cissie and Ada sketches, rooted in real-life northern women, preserved a slice of cultural history with warmth and authenticity. Dawson’s novels, though less celebrated, showcased a literary depth that surprised critics and inspired writers to defy expectations. His legacy lives on in reruns, tribute shows like 2013’s An Audience with That Never Was, and a bronze statue in St Anne’s-on-Sea, unveiled in 2008. Ranked 37th in Channel 4’s Comedian’s Comedian in 2005, Dawson remains a towering figure in British entertainment.
- Born: February 2, 1931, Collyhurst, Manchester
- Key Works: Sez Les, Blankety Blank, A Clown Too Many, Well Fared, My Lovely
- Awards: British Comedy Award for Best Variety Performer (1992)
- Died: June 10, 1993, Manchester
Grab A Clown Too Many or catch a Sez Les rerun to dive into Les Dawson’s world of wit and warmth!