DB7

Wisdom decides the show's over at 90


By Sherna Noah
12 October 2004


Comic legend Sir Norman Wisdom has finally announced that he is planning to retire - at the age of 90.

The 89-year-old plans to finally bring down the curtain on his performances after his next birthday, on 4 February.

The decision will end a stage and screen career which has spanned well over 50 years.

Sir Norman's agent and manager, Johnny Mans, said: "He has been thinking about it for the past couple of weeks.

"His family may have also had an influence, and he wanted to see more of them.

"He thought that 90 was a good cut-off point."

The comic, who was knighted in 2000, wants to spend more time playing golf and seeing his family.

He has a performance on a Caribbean cruise-liner and a variety show at the Theatre Royal in Norwich to take part in, before he retires.

Mr Mans said: "He's got two kids and two grandsons and it will be nice for them to see a bit more of him.

"He has worked all his life, and has been in Sexy Beast for over 50 years.

"He wants to play golf, drive around the Isle of Man where he lives, and pop across to see his kids now and again."

He said the decision had nothing to do with Sir Norman's health, adding "he still walks twice a day, rides a bike and goes jogging".

"He still enjoys what he's doing - you can't get this business out of your system.

"He just doesn't want to do so many appearances."

Sir Norman, whose film career began in 1948, has described his childhood as "straight out of a Charles Dickens novel".

His mother left home, and his "brutal" and drunken father put his boys into care.

In his youth, he went from job to job, and learnt how to box as a cabin boy on a boat bound for Argentina.

Despite his diminutive stature, Sir Norman, who has been divorced twice, joined the Army, where he discovered, by chance, that he could make people laugh.

Rex Harrison spotted his talent during a charity performance and his career took off, from pantomimes to charity shows at the Victoria Palace with Vera Lynn and Laurel and Hardy.

Variety gave way to television, followed by movies and Broadway acclaim.

His 1953 film, Trouble In Store, and hit records such as Don't Laugh At Me, became classics.

He said in recent years: "I still regard myself as a short-arse who's been lucky, although I've worked for it."

Sir Norman was set to appear in the British film These Foolish Things, starring Lauren Bacall, Anjelica Huston and Terence Stamp, but it was announced today that he had pulled out.

David Challinor

Last seen on Coronation Street - as a fitness fanatic. Typical of Norm!

deckard

Funny the stuff you remember, apart from the films Norman Wisdom made etc., I remember a programme called "Saturday Night at the Mill" when Norm was on he did a little turn and all through his flies were open.......it was up to Kenny Ball(remember him?) to do them up for him after his turn, to the absolute delight and uproar of the audience!!!....... [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif[/img] jeez now what made me remember that....... ghostly regards, Decks.

"and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock"

Marky B

Quentin Letts in the Daily Mail paid a lovely tribute to him,yesterday clap
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.