Hector Nicol
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Hector Nicol | |
|---|---|
 Nicol performing live in Scotland | |
| Born | 9 November 1920 Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland |
| Died | 2 July 1985 (aged 64) |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, singer, actor |
| Years active | 1935–1985 |
| Spouse | Delina (Lena) Sweetman (1948-1985) (his death) |
Hector Nicol (9 November 1920 – 2 July 1985) was a Scottish comedian, singer and actor.
Acting career
[edit]Nicol starred in few shows during his career. His most notable role was that of a dying gangster in the BBC Television play Just a Boys' Game (1979) and also in A Sense of Freedom (1981). He also starred in Take the High Road, a Scottish soap opera.[2]
Singing career
[edit]Nicol wrote and sang "The Hearts Song" for Hearts, and "Glory, Glory to the Hibees" for Hibs. He also wrote and sang "The Terrors of Tannadice" for Dundee United and "Dark Blue Of Dundee" for Dundee. However, he actually supported St Mirren. His 1984 album, Bravo Juliet!, reached number 92 for one week in the UK Albums Chart.[3]
Influence
[edit]Nicol's influence was important on Scotland's more recent crop of comedians including Billy Connolly, Des Clarke and Elaine C. Smith.[4] Other famous people who have stated they are fans of Hector include Sean Connery, John Barrowman and Tommy Sheridan.
Personal life
[edit]Nicol married Delina (Lena) P. Sweetman in 1948 and they had three sons together, two of whom died tragically. One choked to death while eating, while another was murdered in a senseless attack.[1] Stephen Nicol, age 19, was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old boy at a bus stop in Edinburgh on 8 June 1973. At trial, it was revealed that the perpetrator, George Riddell, was not motivated by any greed or anger, but had simply decided to stab someone. David Brand, Lord Brand sentenced Riddell to indefinite detention for the murder of Stephen Nicol, who had suffered from a chronic illness.[5] Nicol nearly left the entertainment business after his son's murder.[1]
Nicol, who suffered from angina, died at his home in Edinburgh, at the age of 64.[1][6] He was survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Lena (1922-2013) and his one surviving son.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Bawdy Lines | live at Chequers in Falkirk in 1981. |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Vaughan, Margaret (3 July 1985). "Hector Nicol, comic king of clubland is dead". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ "Filmography- Hector Nicol". IMDB.com. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 394. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Gillies, Charles (24 February 1978). "Billy Connolly says of the Scots fun men he avoids: 'I don't think many of them are any good'". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ "Murder case shocks Judge". The Guardian. 28 September 1973. p. 7. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ Young, Andrew (6 July 1985). "Hector Nicol's Last full house". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
External links
[edit]- Hector Nicol at IMDb
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- 1920 births
- 1985 deaths
- Scottish male comedians
- Scottish male film actors
- Scottish male soap opera actors
- Scottish male television actors
- Male actors from Paisley, Renfrewshire
- 20th-century Scottish male singers
- Scottish male songwriters
- Musicians from Paisley, Renfrewshire
- 20th-century Scottish male actors
- 20th-century Scottish musicians
- 20th-century British comedians
- British male songwriters
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