{{Short description|English comedian and actor (1918–1989)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} '''Tom Mennard''' (11 February 1918 – 2 November 1989) was an English comedian and actor. He had a long career in variety, radio and television.
==Life and career== Mennard was born in Beeston, Leeds, the son of an undertaker.<ref name="Hudd">Roy Hudd & Philip Hindin, ''Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts: A Who Was Who of Light Entertainment 1945–60'', Robson Books, 1997, p. 119.</ref> He subsequently settled in Brighton where he worked as bus driver.<ref name="Worth">[http://www.harryworth.co.uk/#/tom-mennard/4516970295 Tom Mennard] on Harry Worth site</ref> Whilst in Brighton, he became involved in an amateur revue company where his performances attracted the attention of singer Donald Peers, who was appearing in variety in the town.<ref name="Hudd"/> On Peers' recommendation, Mennard got an audition for the BBC and as a result was given a spot on ''The Centre Show'', a television programme for new talent presented by Benny Hill.<ref name="Hudd"/>
Following Hill's advice, he auditioned for the Windmill Theatre in London and, after two rejections, was accepted with a routine in which he played a road sweeper.<ref name="Hudd"/> His first appearances at the theatre were alongside Bill Waddington and Jill Summers.<ref name="Worth"/> Variety and theatre work followed, including a tour with Harold Fielding's ''Music for the Millions'' during which Mennard worked with his idol Robb Wilton, whose slow, deliberate style of story-telling was the main influence on Mennard's own delivery style.<ref name="Hudd"/> He also made several appearances on BBC TV's long-running variety programme, ''The Good Old Days'', at The City Varieties Theatre in Leeds, his home town.
Mennard became a regular feature on Mike Craig's radio shows in Manchester and these helped him to reach a wider national audience.<ref>Hudd & Hindin, pp. 119–120.</ref> His radio work included his own show, ''Local Tales''.<ref name="Worth"/> He also managed a handful of film appearances, including the horror ''The Flesh and Blood Show'' and the sexploitation film ''Four Dimensions of Greta''.<ref name="Worth"/>
His television appearances include ''Dad's Army'', ''Open All Hours'', ''Bergerac'' and the Harry Worth vehicle ''Oh Happy Band!''.<ref name="Worth"/> In 1985, he joined the cast of ''Coronation Street'' in the role of Sam Tindall, remaining in the part irregularly until 1989, with his real life dog Dougal also featuring as the character's pet.<ref name="Worth"/>
==Death== Mennard died from cancer in 1989 at Salisbury hospital, aged 71.<ref name="Worth"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|0579718|Tom Mennard}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mennard, Tom}} Category:1918 births Category:1989 deaths Category:20th-century English comedians Category:20th-century English male actors Category:Comedians from Brighton and Hove Category:Comedians from Leeds Category:Deaths from cancer in England Category:English male comedians Category:English male soap opera actors Category:English male stage actors Category:English radio personalities Category:Male actors from Brighton Category:Male actors from Leeds Category:People from Beeston, Leeds