Ronald Crabtree (30 April 1930 – 2 February 1976) known by his stage name Danny Ross, was a British comedian best remembered for his role alongside

Jimmy Clitheroe James Robinson Clitheroe (24 December 1921 – 6 June 1973) was an English comic entertainer. He is best remembered for his long-running BBC Radio programme, '' The Clitheroe Kid'' (1956–72). Early years Jimmy Clitheroe was born in Clitheroe ...

in the long running BBC Radio comedy show ''

The Clitheroe Kid ''The Clitheroe Kid'' was a BBC Radio comedy show featuring diminutive Northern comic Jimmy Clitheroe in the role of a cheeky schoolboy, who lived with his family at Lilac Avenue in an unnamed town in the North of England. The pilot show, pil ...

'' (1957–1973). Ross played the part of "Alfie Hall", the dim witted, mismatched boyfriend of Jimmy's posh sister "Susan" (Diana Day). Alfie Hall was a name Danny Ross had used prior to ''The Clitheroe Kid'', including during a television series in 1956 entitled ''I'm Not Bothered...'' which followed the exploits of milkman "Alf Hall" and his stuttering mate, "Wally Binns" (Glenn Melvyn). The phrase "I'm not bothered..." was occasionally used by Danny Ross in ''The Clitheroe Kid'' as a catchphrase, in indecisive (but not unfriendly) responses when given a decision by girlfriend "Susan". Danny had made his reputation in comedy by starring alongside

Arthur Askey Arthur Bowden Askey (6 June 1900 – 16 November 1982) was an English comedian and actor. Askey was known for his short stature (5' 2", 1.58 m) and distinctive horn-rimmed glasses, and his playful humour incorporating improvisation an ...

and Glenn Melvyn in ''

The Love Match ''The Love Match'' is a 1955 British black and white comedy film directed by David Paltenghi and starring Arthur Askey, Glenn Melvyn, Thora Hird and Shirley Eaton. A football-mad railway engine driver and his fireman are desperate to get back ...

'' – a hit stage comedy presented for a summer season at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool, in 1953, that led to the spin-off TV series '' Love and Kisses''. He had also starred in the

George Formby George Formby, (born George Hoy Booth; 26 May 1904 – 6 March 1961), was an English actor, singer-songwriter and comedian who became known to a worldwide audience through his films of the 1930s and 1940s. On stage, screen and record he ...

role in the revival of the stage musical '' Zip Goes a Million'', and later made a pop record of Formby's hit song "The Old Bazaar in Cairo".

Personal life

Danny Ross was born in

Oldham Oldham is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amongst the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers River Irk, Irk and River Medlock, Medlock, southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of Manchester. It is the administrative cent ...

Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated ''Lancs'') is a ceremonial county in North West England. It is bordered by Cumbria to the north, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire to the east, Greater Manchester and Merseyside to the south, and the Irish Sea to ...

, England on 30 April 1930, the only son of John William Crabtree (1895–1964), a cotton spinner, and his wife, Martha Jane (née Grady, 23 August 1895 – 1979). He was taken ill on New Year's Day 1976, en route to London with his manager to arrange a new show. He died of a heart attack at

Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. It is located on the Irish Sea coast of the Fylde peninsula, approximately north of Liverpool and west of Preston, Lancashire, Preston. It is the main settlement in the Borough of Blackpool ...

's Victoria Hospital, on 2 February 1976 at the age of 45.

Filmography

1. "Just Jimmy (TV Series) (ABC-tv)" .... Cousin Danny (51 episodes, 1964–1968) 2. " Friends and Neighbours" (1959) .... Sebastian Green 3. "The Anne Shelton Show" (1 episode, 1959) * Episode dated 19 January 1959 (1959) TV episode 4. "

Living It Up ''Living It Up'' is a 1954 American comedy film starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis which was released by Paramount Pictures. The film was directed by Norman Taurog and produced by Paul Jones. The screenplay by Jack Rose and Melville Shavels ...

" .... Danny, props boy (2 episodes, 1957–1958) * Episode No.2.1 (1958) TV episode .... Danny, props boy * Episode No.1.3 (1957) TV episode .... Danny, props boy 5. "I'm Not Bothered (TV series)" .... Alf Hall (7 episodes, 1956) * Episode No.1.26 (1956) TV episode .... Alf Hall * Episode No.1.10 (1956) TV episode .... Alf Hall * Episode No.1.9 (1956) TV episode .... Alf Hall * Episode No.1.8 (1956) TV episode .... Alf Hall * Episode No.1.7 (1956) TV episode .... Alf Hall 6. "

Ramsbottom Rides Again ''Ramsbottom Rides Again'' is a 1956 British western comedy film produced and directed by John Baxter, starring Arthur Askey, Sid James, Shani Wallis, Betty Marsden and Jerry Desmonde. It was written by Basil Thomas and John Baxter, base ...

" (1956) .... Danny 7. " Love and Kisses" .... Alf Hall (5 episodes, 1955) * Episode No.1.1 (1955) TV episode .... Alf Hall * Episode No.1.2 (1955) TV episode .... Alf Hall * Bill Goes on the Stage (1955) TV episode .... Alf Hall * Bill Mixes More Trouble (1955) TV episode .... Alf Hall * Bill's Bright Ideas (1955) TV episode .... Alf Hall 8. "

" (1955) .... Alf Hall

References

*Information courtesy of the officia
Jimmy Clitheroe
website and th
IMDb

External links

memorial website * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Danny People from Oldham 1976 deaths British male comedians 20th-century British comedians 1930 births