Stan Stennett

Who was Stan Stennett?

Stanley Llewelyn Stennett was a Welsh comedian, actor and jazz musician.

Stennett was born in Pencoed, Bridgend. During World War II, he served in the army and also worked as an entertainer. He made his professional stage debut with a group called the Harmaniacs. He later became resident comedian on a radio show, Welsh Rarebit, but his break was being chosen as one of the regular comedy guests on The Black and White Minstrel Show.

Although primarily a comedian, who appeared in variety shows and pantomime throughout the UK, Stennett played "straight" acting roles in television programmes such as Coronation Street and Casualty. He was best known as Sid Hooper in the ITV soap opera, Crossroads, before taking a lease in 1980 on the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

Stennett was a friend of Eric Morecambe, and hosted the show that was to be Morecambe's final performance on 27 May 1984, immediately after which Morecambe died of a heart attack. He played trumpet and guitar, and in his eighties still performed on stage. His autobiography, Fully Booked, was published in 2010.