Mike Yarwood OBE

MIKE YARWOOD OBE

(14.06.1941 – 08.09.2023)

Cheshire born, Mike started working life as a salesman before winning a pub talent contest which encouraged him to turn professional as an entertainer, touring northern clubs. His television career took off from being a warm up comic on the show Comedy Band Box, the big break arriving in 1964 when he made a hugely well received appearance on Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

From then on he was regularly featured on British television, especially throughout the 1970s on the B.B.C. as part of Water Rat Bill Cotton’s stable of top class variety stars. His shows always attracted over 18 million viewers.

Mike specialized in hilariously accurate impressions of serious topical figures, becoming particularly famed for his lampooning of Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

Many felt that this much loved and highly talented entertainer withdrew from show business far too early, and he spent his last years in Brinsworth retirement home.