Talbot O'Farrell

Talbot O'Farrell
Talbot O'Farrell, ready to go on stage at the 1948 Royal Variety Performance, in his characteristic dress with top hat, cane, and monocle
Born	William Parrot 27 July 1878
Died	2 September 1952(1952-09-02) (aged 74) London
Nationality	English
Other names	Jock McIver
Occupation	Music hall singer, film actor
Years active	1912–48

Talbot O'Farrell (born William Parrot; 27 July 1878 – 2 September 1952) was an English music hall singer (a tenor, whose repertoire included both sentimental and comic songs) and film actor.

He was born in the north of England, and worked as a policeman in Hull prior to a career in entertainment. and achieved moderate success as Jock McIver (Scottish comedian and singer), before adopting an Irish persona as Talbot O'Farrell around 1912. He was billed as "The greatest Irish entertainer of all time".

He possibly took part of his stage name from his wife, Minnie O'Farrell (1872–1947), who was born in Batley into a prominent West Riding of Yorkshire family, the daughter of Joseph Talbot JP and Ann Talbot. She was apparently widowed from William Lindley with three young daughters when she married O'Farrell. They were married for approximately four decades.

In 1922, he performed in Sydney, Australia. He appeared at the Royal Variety Performance in 1925, 1938 and 1948.

In 1930, he had the honour of serving as King Rat of the Grand Order of Water Rats.

He acted in several films; notably, Born Lucky (1933), Rose of Tralee (two films, of 1937 and of 1942) and Little Dolly Daydream (1938).

He made recordings, and appeared on radio. In 1938, he appeared in two episodes of the BBC Television live variety show Cabaret.

He made a successful living prior to 1928, when he was worth £10,000 (equivalent to £150,000 in 2015). The worldwide depression crippled his income from the theatre, and he was bankrupt by 1933. During the Second World War, he worked for the Entertainments National Service Association. He was able to regain his footing after the formation of the "Thanks for the Memory" company, a group of music hall veterans in the 1940s.