Biography

His real name was Harry Illingsworth and he was an ex miner. Harry changed his surname soon after he left the RAF after the war. He started as a ventriloquist at the Mechanics Institute in Barnsley. Later, in a pantomime, he met his future wife, Kay, who suggested he went to London. This he did, auditioning with a lot of other acts for work at the Windmll Theatre. Only three acts got taken on, him, Tony Hancock and Morecambe and Wise. He then appeared in six shows for BBC television called The Trouble With Harry. He then found himself with a six-minute spot on the first televised Royal Command Performance.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tonyman 5

In 1952 he was touring with Laurel and Hardy doing a ventriloquist act. Stan advised him to drop the dummy and concentrate on his humorous asides which Stan thought had more potential. Harry took Stan's advice but was so nervous when he did the new act that he came across as bumbling and hesitant which the audience found amusing.

On 20th July 2010 a plaque was unveiled by comedian Jimmy Cricket on 47 Fitzwilliam Street, Hoyland Common commemorating that it was where Harry was born.