William Joseph Waddington (10 June 1916 â€" 9 September 2000) was an
English music hall performer, actor, comedian and co-author who was
born in Oldham, Lancashire. In later life he achieved stardom as the
pompous ex-serviceman Percy Sugden in Granada Television's
long-running soap opera Coronation Street.Waddington played the
ukulele and became a member of a group called the Blue Pencils,
recruited to entertain forces during the Second World War.After the
war "Waddy" became a comedian, often appearing on the same bill as
Jill Summers, who would eventually play Phyllis Pearce, Percy Sugden's
foil in Granada TV's Coronation Street. In 1955 Bill was chosen for
the Royal Variety Performance, and when American stars such as Frankie
Laine, Lena Horne, Billy Daniels and Dorothy Lamour toured Britain he
was the opening comedian in their shows. His agent was Lew
Grade.Waddington appeared in more than 800 variety and comedy
programmes on radio, and made his mark on television, starring with
Margaret Lockwood as early as 1946. In the 1970s he enjoyed a stage
partnership with Sid James, only ended by James's death in 1976.
English music hall performer, actor, comedian and co-author who was
born in Oldham, Lancashire. In later life he achieved stardom as the
pompous ex-serviceman Percy Sugden in Granada Television's
long-running soap opera Coronation Street.Waddington played the
ukulele and became a member of a group called the Blue Pencils,
recruited to entertain forces during the Second World War.After the
war "Waddy" became a comedian, often appearing on the same bill as
Jill Summers, who would eventually play Phyllis Pearce, Percy Sugden's
foil in Granada TV's Coronation Street. In 1955 Bill was chosen for
the Royal Variety Performance, and when American stars such as Frankie
Laine, Lena Horne, Billy Daniels and Dorothy Lamour toured Britain he
was the opening comedian in their shows. His agent was Lew
Grade.Waddington appeared in more than 800 variety and comedy
programmes on radio, and made his mark on television, starring with
Margaret Lockwood as early as 1946. In the 1970s he enjoyed a stage
partnership with Sid James, only ended by James's death in 1976.
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