Norman Collier RIP

Much-loved eccentric Yorkshire comedian, dead at 87, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease

He first came to national media attention after a successful appearance at the Royal Variety Command Performance in 1971. Though occasionally appearing on television thereafter, he made his main reputation on the northern club circuit, and was highly regarded by many fellow comics (notably Frank Carson, Les Dawson, and Little and Large, who were regular house guests). Jimmy Tarbuck dubbed him 'the comedian's comedian'.

To casual television viewers, he was best known for two routines: one in the guise of a northern club compere whose microphone is working intermittently; another adopting the noises, gestures and movements of a chicken, using his outturned jacket to suggest the fowl's wings.

They don't make 'em like this anymore

His love of stupid props was brilliant. His sketch with the car window was one of the best ever. The dodgy mike routine, so good. R.I.P. Norman.

87? n v r kn w (is this thing working) he w s t at old.


Good innings, funny bloke.

Probably got out before some compo claimer accused him of somehting or other.

(15-03-2013 20:35 )SOCATOA Wrote:  His love of stupid props was brilliant. His sketch with the car window was one of the best ever. The dodgy mike routine, so good. R.I.P. Norman.

Got to agree with that. Very underrated but could be very funny. Love his sketch about the Robin Reliant with the car door prop.
Also when said he was going to rob a bank. Put on a pair of tights over his head, then whipped them off straight away and made the jibe
"Phew the wife's tights"
Sad loss

His mic routine was very funny

Thanks for all the laughs Norman

R RR RRR R I P Mate

R.I.P Norman.....Think Storm TV must be a big fan of his intermittent microphone gag.

if there was one comedian who could make you could fall about laughing, it was Norman
the mike gags are timeless!! I don't think any other comedian could perfect that like he did.

Shame that Parkinsons disease has claimed a very wonderful character and the comedy world will be poorer without him.

R I P Norman, heaven is goin to love you!!

For younger viewers who don't not know the skill of this mike thing.