Frankie Howerd (1917 - 1992)
Frankie Howerd Carry On Films
"Nay, Nay & Thirce Nay!"- Frankie Howerd
Frankie Howerd Carry On
Francis Alick "Frankie" Howerd, OBE  was born on 6th March 1917. His career described by fellow comedian Barry Cryer as "a series of comebacks", spanned six decades.

Frankie guest starred in two 'Carry On' films -  as 'Francis Bigger', one of the lead characters in 1967's 'Carry On Doctor' & as 'Professor Tinkle' in 'Carry On Up the Jungle' in 1970. He also appeared in 'Carry On Christmas' (1969) as 'Robert Browning'  & the 'Fairy Godmother'.

The success of the film version of Up Pompeii in 1971 saw British exhibitors vote him the ninth most popular star at the British box office that year. He would play versions of the character Lurkio in 'Up the Chastity Belt' (Lurkalot), also in 1971 and 'Up the Front' (Boot Boy Lurk) in 1972.
He was awarded an OBE in 1977. Throughout his career, Howerd hid his potentially career-destroying homosexuality from both his audience and his mother, Edith. In 1958, he met wine waiter Dennis Heymer at the Dorchester Hotel while dining with Sir John Mills; Howerd was 40 and Heymer was 28. Heymer became his lover as well as manager, and stayed with him for more than thirty years, until Howerd's death, with Heymer helping to revive Howerd's flagging career in the 1960s. However, the two had to remain discreet as Howerd feared being blackmailed if anyone beyond his immediate circle found out. The relationship was explored in 2008 in a drama for BBC Four, 'Rather You Than Me', starring David Walliams and Rafe Spall.

Backstage, Howerd was notoriously bold in his advances, and was known for his promiscuity. A few years ago I was chatting by chance with a man who had been part of a Scout group who had been to see Frankie in a show. His recollection of the time (which I had decided not to include out of respect) certainly adds credibility to this claim.

One of Howerd's former boyfriends was comic actor Lee Young who created the TV sitcom Whoops Baghdad (1973) for him. Howerd's uncomfortable relationship with his sexuality – he once said to Cilla Black, "I wish to God I wasn't gay" – as well as his depressive mental state, led him to seek resolution through a series of different methods. Heymer would often drop Howerd off on Friday at his psychiatrist, who would ply him with LSD over the weekend. This experience was later the subject of the March 2015 BBC Radio 4 drama 'Frankie Takes a Trip'.

In his early career Howerd suffered from a stutter, which caused him some distress. Close friend Cilla Black said in 2008: "That devastated him" adding, "Often he'd be physically ill with stage fright."
Whilst Frankie slipped into the 'Carry On' films well due to his comedic style being well suited to the films on the two appearances that he made there were underlying issues with some of the cast, notably Kenneth Connor. He had previously had a rift with Connor during a stage production some years before and things had been sour between the two for some time. When the two were paired up again for 'Carry On Up the Jungle' a close eye was kept on both parties to avoid further clashes during the making of 'Jungle' according to sources close to the pair at the time.
There are further details of this rift in the book 'Life with Kenneth Connor' by Jeremy Connor.
Frankie Howerd Caricature
Despite many highs and lows in his career, including going several years with little or no work, he continued to perform right up until his death in 1992. One of his last performances, broadcast on ITV and available on YouTube is of his one man show in front of the Oxford University Union in 1990. Sadly in 1991 whilst on a trip to the Amazon Frankie contracted a virus and he suffered respiratory problems at the beginning of April 1992 and was rushed to a clinic in London's Harley Street. He was discharged at Easter to enjoy his last few days at home.  He collapsed and died of heart failure two weeks afterwards, on the morning of 19 April 1992, aged 75. Two hours before he died, he was speaking on the telephone to his TV producer about new ideas for his next show.
Carry On Columbus Frankie Howerd
It is fairly well known that Frankie had been approached to star in the revival 'Carry On' film - 'Carry On Columbus' in 1992. Despite his part as Ferdinand, King of Spain secured he sadly died before he was able to film his part. His part was then offered to Bernard Bresslaw who declined it and subsequently the role went to fellow 'Carry On' legend Leslie Phillips. In 2018 I attempted to recreate a section of the 'Carry On Columbus' film poster to reflect what it might have looked like if all the planned stars had been able to take part or had wanted to take part (see above right).
Frankie and Dennis lived for the last twenty or so years of his life in 'Wavering Down', a house in the village of Cross, Somerset, under the Mendip Hills. After Frankie's death, Dennis  Heymer curated Frankie's collection of memorabilia until his own death in 2009. Up until 2009 when Dennis died their house at Wavering Down was periodically opened a few days in the summer for the public to visit. There are more details available via the The Frankie Howerd OBE Trust website: http://www.frankiehowerdobetrust.org/pages/wavering.php

As well as 'Wavering Down' Frankie also had a home in Edwardes Square in London. I visited the house in early 2018 to see his 'blue plaque'. Later that Spring I discovered that Frankie also had a blue plaque dedicated to him at the Grand Opera House in York and there had also been a campaign back in 2010, by a local heritage champion, for a memorial plaque to be erected at Frankie's childhood home in York. This finally came to fruition in July 2016. Full Monty actor and York’s Cultural Ambassador Mark Addy conducted the unveiling with York's Lord Mayor Dave Taylor at 53 Hartoft Street, where Howerd was born in 1917. Frankie was to be allocated the title 'Son of York'. The full story can be viewed here: https://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/2943/news-frankie-howerds-blue-plaque-erected.
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