Bobby Thompson, born at 4 The Staithes, Penshaw, Co Durham was to become one of the most famous of modern North East comedians. After World War II, he appeared in the fondly-remembered radio show 'What Cheor Geordie', and in E.J. Hinge's 'Merry Magpies' of 1951. Hinge owned the Grand Theatre, Byker and the Civic theatre, Darlington.
A great favourite in North East clubs, Thompson was a master of timing and played to perfection the role of the feckless Geordie surviving in the crevices of the system. He also harked back to World War II a good deal, a focal point in the lives of so many of his audiences. Like other Geordie comedians then and now, he introduced a surreal dimension into his performance, conjuring up hilarious scenes involving Neville Chamberlain (or his wife, busy boiling the potatoes in 10 Downing Street), or Adolf Hitler in the chip-shop: 'He likes his bit of batter. If he doesn't get it there'll be war on.' There was a notion that Thompson's humour would not travel well, but this was much exaggerated. He played the London Palladium at the age of 74.
Bobby Thompson died at the Preston Hospital in North Shields and was cremated. The splendid story that his tombstone advises 'Pay Nobody' seems, alas to be unfounded.