Name Arthur Tolcher | Role Musical Artist | |
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Died March 1987, Bloxwich, United Kingdom | ||
R4: Not Now Arthur
Arthur Tolcher (9 April 1922 – March 1987), born Arthur John Stone-Tolcher in Bloxwich, Staffordshire, England, was a virtuoso British harmonica player and child star who started his career in the British Music halls in the 1930s. He appeared at the London Palladium at 15 and was an early friend and colleague of Morecambe and Wise. Tolcher was managed by his mother Beatrice ("Beef"), who knew Eric Morecambe's mother well. When the double act became successful, Eric and Ernie did not forget their friend and he appeared for many years in their TV shows. He would come onstage in evening wear and start to play his harmonica (always España cañí/Spanish Gypsy Dance), only to be stopped by Eric and Ernie saying, "Not now, Arthur!" He also played in some longer sketches on their show.
In a BBC Radio 4 programme in August 2007, Tolcher's life story was narrated by Stewart Henderson. Although he had applied to work many times for the BBC in the 1950s, he was dismissed as being "amateurish". This did not stop him from performing many backing tracks on hit records for singers such as Frank Ifield.
Tolcher often worked away, but his home was in Bloxwich for many years. In 1965, he became godfather to Anthony, the grandson of his and his Mother's next door neighbours in Broad Lane.
Tolcher, who was a lifelong and devout Roman Catholic, died in March 1987.