George Roper

Comedian George Roper was best known for his television appearances on ITV's long running series The Comedians, first shown in the UK in the early 1970s. Roper's jokes were clean, inoffensive and usually centres around 'wellies' (wellington boots). His fascination for 'wellies' stemmed from a brief spell working as a builder's labourer. Born in Liverpool, Roper was the son of a window cleaner. On leaving school he joined the Merchant Navy, working as a galley boy and then a steward. He joined the RAF as a drill instructor and while stationed in Holland began entertaining troops at a forces concert party. After leaving the RAF he worked in various manual jobs and singing and telling jokes in clubs at night. The music hall comedian Sandy Powell encouraged him to become a professional entertainer. He moved to Manchester in the 1960s and whilst working in cabaret was spotted by Johnny Hamp, creator of The Comedians. Hamp booked him for the first series in 1971. When The Comedians finished in the 1980s Roper was still in demand in clubs and summer shows and for some years appeared in cabaret in Benidorm, Spain.