Fully Booked

by TerryGrandin (Author), StanStennett (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2010

  $3.45

  Fully Booked tells the incredible story of Stan Stennett, actor, comedian, compare and jazz musician extraordinaire. Known for his role as Sid Hooper in the cult soap Crossroads as well as appearances in Coronation Street and Casualty, Stan's show business aspirations began watching Gene Autry cowboy films in the 1930s. Time spent touring Europe with the Combined Services Entertainments Unit after the War proved invaluable as he honed the skills that would see him top the bill in theatres all over the country-though he could have ended up in a military prison after losing the lorry he was driving through Belgium. After appearing on Welsh Rarebit he toured with the Harmaniacs before going solo and then joined the Black and White Minstrels Show as compere and linkman. A number of appearances at the London Palladium followed where he out-gagged the great Bob Hope in 1956 when billed as 'Certified Insanely Funny'. A year later he entertained the troops in Cyprus-without the six-guns from his cowboy outfit when they were confiscated by the local customs. While topping the bill in pantomimes and summer shows he began acting and was one of the first to appear in both Coronation Street and Crossroads. To this day, his love of pantomime continues and he stars in his own pantos as well as producing and appearing in shows such as Bless Em All and Flying Solo. That he is still 'packing them in' at theatres while an octogenarian is testament to his success.