Robert McKenna

MBE Mbe may refer to: * Mbé, a town in the Republic of the Congo * Mbe Mountains Community Forest, in Nigeria * Mbe language, a language of Nigeria * Mbe' language, language of Cameroon * ''mbe'', ISO 639 code for the extinct Molala language Molal ...

(24 December 1933 – 20 July 2009) was an English comedian, better known by his stage name Bobby Knoxall.

Early life

Knoxall was born in the East End of Sunderland in 1933 and attended St Patrick's School. Illiterate after being expelled from two schools by the age of 12, he obtained a job as a

barrow boy ''Barrow boy'' is a British expression with two meanings, occupational and social. Street traders since the 19th century (and perhaps earlier) sold seasonal goods (especially vegetables) from two-wheeled barrows. London street traders were called c ...

selling fruit.

Career

Although he was mainly known in North East England, he also toured. He appeared with a group of rock 'n' roll dancers in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, before becoming a vocalist and turning his patter between songs into a comedy act. He became a cabaret star appearing alongside the likes of Johnny Mathis, Roy Orbison and Louis Armstrong. He also became popular in Africa and the Middle East, appearing on bills with

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

and

José Feliciano José Montserrate Feliciano García (born September 10, 1945) () is a Puerto Rican musician, singer and composer. He recorded many international hits, including his rendition of the Doors' "Light My Fire" and his self-penned Christmas song " F ...

. Knoxall recorded Sunderland’s

1973 FA Cup Final The 1973 FA Cup Final was the 92nd final of the FA Cup. It took place on 5 May 1973 at Wembley Stadium and was contested between Leeds United, the previous season's winners and one of the dominant teams in English football at the time, and Sund ...

record, "Sunderland All the Way". He quit performing owing to ill-health, but made a comeback in 2002. He received an MBE for services to entertainment and charity in 2004. It is estimated he raised at least £1million for charity during his 50-plus years on the stage. His autobiography, ''Stand Up!'', was released in 2003. Knoxall, who suffered from liver and kidney problems, died in July 2009 at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Knoxall, Bobby English male comedians Members of the Order of the British Empire People from Sunderland Comedians from Tyne and Wear 1933 births 2009 deaths 20th-century English comedians