Thomas Edward Trinder CBE ( 24 March, 1909 – 10 July, 1989) known as Tommy Trinder, was an English stage, screen and radio comedian of the pre and post war years whose catchphrase was 'You lucky people'.

Born at 54 Wellfield Road, Streatham, South London, (a plaque from the Streatham Society marks the spot) on 24 March, 1909, the son of a London tram driver, Tommy Trinder was one of the best-loved comedians in Britain during the period from the late 1930s, until the 1960s.

He was fast-talking and quick-witted and well-suited to stand up comedy in front of a live audience. His catch phrases, 'You lucky people!' and 'If it's laughter you're after, Trinder's the name', combined with his trademarks; the pork-pie hat, the leering smile and the wagging finger were almost universally recognised in Britain.

He left school early for a job as an errand boy but by the age of 12 was on stage. He toured South Africa with a revue company in 1921 and appeared as a boy vocalist at Collins' Music Hall the following year. Minor successes in music hall, revues and working men's clubs followed.

By 1926, aged 17, Trinder was the star of Archie Pitt's travelling variety comedy shows.

National recognition began to come in 1937 with the revues Tune In and In Town Tonight. By World War Two he was one of Britain's foremost entertainers and his shows brought welcome relief during the darkest days of the war.

Ealing Studios signed him up to films during the war. His most famous was the comedy Sailors Three in which he, Claude Hulbert and Michael Wilding capture a German pocket battleship.

He also took straight acting parts in The Foreman Went to France, Bells Go Down, a tribute to the work done by firemen in London during the Blitz; and Bitter Springs about a family fighting to make a new life in the Australian Outback.

He is believed to have originated "Trinder's Impossibility" - a "bar bet" where the mark is presented with a ten shilling note, partly torn through in two places at right angles to the long side and challenged to hold the two corners of the torn edge and tear it into three pieces. It cannot be done.

After the war, as a national figure he was soon recruited to television. In 1955, he became the first compere for the new ITV television programme Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

He hosted his own TV series, Trinder Box on BBC, in 1959.

He was a lifelong devoted supporter of Fulham Football Club and was chairman of the club between 1959 and 1976. During that time he hired and fired Bobby Robson

In 1979 he appeared in an edition of The Old Boy Network, doing his stand-up routine and presenting a condensed history of his life and career.

Confined to a wheelchair following a stroke in 1986, he made his final television appearance in I Like The Girls Who Do recalling his contemporary Max Miller.

Always a favourite with the Royal family (he made six appearances in Royal Variety Performances between 1945 and 1980), he was awarded a CBE in 1975. He died on 10 July, 1989.

A biography by Patrick Newley, You Lucky People! - The Tommy Trinder Story, was published in 2008 (Third Age Press).
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