Danny Ross (comedian)

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 in the long running BBC Radio comedy show The Clitheroe Kid (1957–1973).^[1][2][3]

Publicity photo of Danny Ross

Early life

Danny Ross was born in Oldham, Lancashire, 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).

Career

In The Clitheroe Kid, Ross played the part of Alfie Hall, the dim-witted, mismatched boyfriend of Jimmy's posh sister Susan (Diana Day).^[4] Alfie Hall was a name 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).^[5] The phrase "I'm not bothered..." was occasionally used by Ross in The Clitheroe Kid as a catchphrase, in indecisive (but not unfriendly) responses when given a decision by girlfriend Susan.

Ross had made his reputation in comedy by starring alongside Arthur Askey and Glenn Melvyn in The Love Match, 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.^[6][7] He had also starred in the lead role in the revival of the stage musical Zip Goes a Million, and later made a pop record of "The Old Bazaar in Cairo".^[8]

Personal life and death

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

Filmography

• Just Jimmy (TV series) (ABC-tv) as Cousin Danny (51 episodes, 1964–1968)

• Friends and Neighbours (1959) as Sebastian Green

• The Anne Shelton Show (1 episode, 1959)
  • Episode dated 19 January 1959 (1959) TV episode

• Living It Up as Danny, props boy (2 episodes, 1957–1958)
  • Episode No.2.1 (1958) TV episode as Danny, props boy
  • Episode No.1.3 (1957) TV episode as Danny, props boy

• I'm Not Bothered (TV series) as Alf Hall (7 episodes, 1956)
  • Episode No.1.26 (1956) TV episode as Alf Hall
  • Episode No.1.10 (1956) TV episode as Alf Hall
  • Episode No.1.9 (1956) TV episode as Alf Hall
  • Episode No.1.8 (1956) TV episode as Alf Hall
  • Episode No.1.7 (1956) TV episode as Alf Hall

• Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956) as Danny

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

• The Love Match (1955) as Alf Hall