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Hector Nicol | |
|---|---|
 Nicol performing live in Scotland | |
| Born | (1920-11-09)9 November 1920 Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland |
| Died | 2 July 1985(1985-07-02) (aged 64) Edinburgh, Scotland[1] |
| Occupations | Comedian, singer, actor |
| Years active | 1935–1985 |
| Spouse |
Delina Sweetman (m. 1948) |
| Children | 3 |
Hector Nicol (9 November 1920 – 2 July 1985) was a Scottish comedian, singer and actor.
Acting career
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
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 F.C.. His 1984 album, Bravo Juliet!, reached number 92 for one week in the UK Albums Chart.[3]
Influence
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
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
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Just a Boys' Game | Granda | BBC Play for Today |
| 1981 | A Sense of Freedom | Uncle Jodie | ITV |
Television
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 - 1985 | Take the High Road | Fraser Ramsay | BBC Television |
Comedy Specials & Albums
| Year | Title | Notes | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Scotch and Full of it | Recorded Live at Tartan Arms, Bannockburn in 1978. | Vinyl/Cassette/CD |
| 1978 | Laffin Room Only | Recorded Live at the Greenfield Club, Hamilton in 1978. | Vinyl/Cassette/CD |
| 1979 | Cop of the North | Recorded Live at the Clover Leaf, Aberdeen in 1979. | Vinyl/Cassette |
| 1979 | Lady and the Tramp | Recorded Live at the Venture Lounge, Linwood in 1979. | Vinyl/Cassette |
| 1979 | Queen of the Road | Recorded Live at the Baird & Scottish Social Club, Coatbridge in 1979. | Vinyl/Cassette |
| 1980 | Hobo Sexual? | Recorded Live at the Baron Suite, Edinburgh in 1980. | Vinyl/Cassette |
| 1981 | Bawdy Lines | Recorded Live at Chequers, Falkirk in 1981. | Vinyl/Cassette/VHS |
| 1982 | I'm a Country Member | Recorded Live at Hasties Farm, Blantyre in 1982. | Vinyl/Cassette/CD |
| 1983 | Greatest B**bs | Recorded Live at Dean Park Hotel in 1983. | Vinyl/Cassette/VHS |
| 1984 | Bravo Juliet! | Recorded Live at Rankin Park, Greenock in 1984. | Vinyl/Cassette |
| 1984 | The Tartan Tinker | Recorded Live at Marco's, Edinburgh in 1984. | Vinyl/Cassette/VHS |
References
- ^ 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
- Hector Nicol at IMDb
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