Stan Stennett

Stanley Llewelyn "Stan" Stennett (30 July 1925 – 26 November 2013) 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 (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. Stennett played trumpet and guitar. In his 80s he was still performing onstage. His autobiography, Fully Booked, was published in 2010.