Clubland favourite Danny James dies aged 90

By day he ran a driving school with wife Mollie.

By night he thrilled audiences throughout South Yorkshire and beyond and appeared with some of the biggest names in showbusiness.

He also forged a neat “sideline” as an extra in many top TV programmes including Coronation Street, Emmerdale and even a speaking part in All Creatures Great and Small.

And it all happened because he didn’t like life down the pit.

“He hated it and couldn’t wait to get out,” said son David.

“And going on the clubs was one way to do just that. He wanted to do something different and was always making workmates laugh — so much so that they mentioned he ought to go on the clubs.”

Danny (real name David James Clark) told the Advertiser in 1990: “I went around with a gang of lads when I was young and there was always someone acting the fool.

“I suppose I was one of them.”

He did well in talent shows and theatres and never looked back, developing an act which proved increasingly popular.”

But in the early days it wasn’t easy.

Danny, of Hungerhill Road, Kimberworth, said: “It was difficult at first. It took me about 18 months to get established.”

He was careful about his material and didn’t like blue jokes.

But wife Mollie came in for a bit of stick.

One of his favourite gags was: “I’ve not brought my wife tonight. She’s got blood poisoning — she bit her tongue!” But in reality she was his rock.

Eventually he developed a drunk man character who smoked.

“That really was amazing because he never drank a drop and never smoked,” said David.

Danny once said: “If you saw me on stage you’d think I was drunk.

A lot of people in clubs have said: ‘He shouldn’t be allowed to come in here telling jokes, he’s drunk’.

And he added: “I shouldn’t be doing this at my age.” (he was 64 then).

“I wouldn’t have to if there were enough new comics around.”

Among the big names he appeared with was Danny La Rue at the famous City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds.

But Danny never turned professional — and never regretted it.

He said: “I’m most bothered about my family.

“I’ve done very well out of the act. I’ve been to places I wouldn’t have otherwise and I’ve met a lot of interesting people.”

David says in many ways it is surprising he did so well in the tough northern clubs “because dad was quite shy off stage”.