Titter ye not, it’s Frankie’s story

11:51am Friday 30th November 2007

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A magazine and exhibition are celebrating the life of Frankie Howerd. MARK CHANDLER finds out about the late comedian's time growing up in Eltham.

FRANKIE Howerd's partner and manager, Dennis Heymer, will be commemorating the 90th anniversary of the star's birth with an exhibition next year.

The funnyman died of a heart attack on April 19, 1992, aged 75, after a career spanning five decades.

He had a host of films and TV programmes to his name including appearances in the Carry On films and the hugely popular sitcom, Up Pompeii.

Chris Byrne, who cares for Mr Heymer, is interested in hearing from anyone who has memories of Frankie or his family during their time in south east London.

Letters received with memories will be displayed at an exhibition at his country house next year.

Born Francis Alick Howard on March 6, 1917, a name later changed to Howerd, Frankie moved from Yorkshire to Eltham with his family at the age of three.

Mr Byrne says Frankie grew up in a terraced house in Arbroath Road, with his mother, Edith, father Frank, sister Bettina and brother Sidney.

The family later moved to Eltham High Street where Frankie and a neighbour used to put on concerts in his back garden.

Charging children a farthing each for admission, the enterprise only ended when his mother found out and made him return the money.

Frankie went to Gordon Elementary School, Grange Hill Road, Eltham, before winning a scholarship at Woolwich County School, Red Lion Lane, Woolwich, now Shooter's Hill School.

At the school, despite being a shy boy, he was praised in school reports for his theatrical skills.

Mr Byrne says Frankie fell in love with showbusiness on a Boxing Day trip to the Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, at Woolwich Artillery Theatre.

Afterwards he started attending the dramatic society at the Church of St Barnabas, and later enrolled for acting lessons at evening classes run by the London County Council.

One of his teachers was the actress Mary Hope, who made him join the council dramatic society.

But after leaving school and failing an audition for drama school RADA, Frankie was forced to find a job.

He started work as a filing clerk in Tooley Street in London's Docklands, but carried on treading the boards in his spare time until he finally hit the big time.

A limited edition magazine called Star Life Now has been launched about his life and country home, Wavering Down House in Somerset.

Anyone who buys the magazine will be entered into a free draw to win a private visit for four to the house, including a fish and chips supper on the lawns.

To order a copy of the magazine, send your name, address and telephone number with a cheque made payable to RedPR for £6.99 to LifeTimes Publications, The Maltings, Old Coach Road, Cross, Somerset BS26 2EH.

Any memories of Frankie and his family can also be sent to the same address.

For more details visit lifetimespublications.

com