Jack Watson

Who was Jack Watson?

Jack Watson, was an English actor who appeared in many British films and television dramas from the 1950s onwards.

Watson was born in Thorney, Cambridgeshire, the son of a Gaiety Girl, Barbara Hughes, and music hall comedian, Nosmo King, with whom he often appeared on stage as straight man, known simply as Hubert. During World War II, he was a physical training instructor in the Royal Navy, and his physique was much in evidence in many of his subsequent screen roles. During the war he was resident compère of Navy Mixture.

After the war, his talent as an impersonator resulted in his becoming a regular on BBC radio programmes such as Take it from Here, Hancock's Half Hour and The Clitheroe Kid, gradually making the transition to television. His first major role was in Coronation Street where he became Elsie Tanner's first lover. Probably his best-known television role was as Llud, Arthur's craggy sidekick in Arthur of the Britons. His last major TV role was in the award-winning Edge of Darkness. He died 14 years later at the age of 84.

His films included Peeping Tom, This Sporting Life, Grand Prix, Tobruk, The McKenzie Break, The Devil's Brigade and The Wild Geese.