Published November 7, 2010 | 
For much of the time, news seems to travel at the speed of light, so I can’t believe that it’s taken me over 4 weeks to find out about the passing of Norman Wisdom. To the younger generation, this news will be but a small footnote, a old person who was once famous, to me however the news came as a something of an unpleasant shock, akin to finding out that a favourite uncle has passed away.
Now to some, this may seem a bit mellow dramatic, but to me, he was someone who was very much part of my childhood. His movies were always on the TV, especially during the school holidays. The downtrodden working class man, in the suit, just that little on the wrong side of fitting and the flat cap, slightly askew, always at odds with his boss, or superior. These movies were pure magic and while they weren’t exactly Oscar nomination candidates, they are filled with golden memories. Although 95 when he passed away on October 7th, Norman was never far from the public eye, enjoying a brief stint on Coronation Street, in 2000.
It was only upon watching a documentary celebrating his life, that I found out what a truly unpleasant childhood he had. He managed to struggle through a father who turned his back on him and living off the street, to join the army at 14, and from that point on, he finally began to find purpose and I think finally started to be happy and live his life.
Even more incredible was his amazing talent with music. To many people, the fact that he could play 12 or more instruments was a feat in itself, that he could play them with amazing dexterity and skill, was a testament to his skill at entertaining.
So to Norman Wisdom, I say thank you for entertaining me all these years, you will be truly missed.
