Hector Nicol

Hector Nicol (1920 – 2 July 1985) was a Scottish comedian, singer and actor.

Hector Nicol
Hector performing live in Scotland
Born1920
Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Died2 July 1985 (age 65)
Edinburgh, Scotland[1]
OccupationComedian, actor, singer
Years active1935-1985

Acting career

Nicol starred in few shows during his career. His most notable role was that of a dying gangster in the BBC Television play Just a Boys' Game (1979) and also in A Sense of Freedom (1981). He also starred in Take the High Road, a Scottish soap opera.[2]

Singing career

Nicol wrote and sang "The Hearts Song" for Hearts, and "Glory, Glory to the Hibees" for Hibs. He also wrote and sang "The Terrors of Tannadice" for Dundee United and "Dark Blue Of Dundee" for Dundee. However, he actually supported St Mirren. His 1984 album, Bravo Juliet!, reached number 92 for one week in the UK Albums Chart.[3]

Influence

His influence was important on Scotland's more recent crop of comedians including Billy Connolly, Des Clarke and Elaine C. Smith.[4]

There are many other famous people who have stated they are fans of Hector including Sean Connery, John Barrowman and Tommy Sheridan.

Personal life

Nicol had three sons, two of whom died tragically. One choked to death while eating, while another was murdered in a senseless attack.[1] Stephen Nicol, age 19, was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old boy at a bus stop in Edinburgh on 8 June 1973. At trial, it was revealed that the perpetrator, George Riddell, was not motivated by any greed or anger, but had simply decided to stab someone. David Brand, Lord Brand sentenced Riddell to indefinite detention for the murder of Stephen Nicol, who had suffered from a chronic illness.[5] Nicol nearly left the entertainment business after his son's murder.[1]

Nicol, who suffered from angina, died at his home in Edinburgh, age 64 or 65.[1][6]

Filmography
Year Title Notes
1981 Bawdy Lines live at Chequers in Falkirk in 1981.

References
  1. Vaughan, Margaret (3 July 1985). "Hector Nicol, comic king of clubland is dead". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  2. "Filmography- Hector Nicol". IMDB.com. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 394. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. Gillies, Charles (24 February 1978). "Billy Connolly says of the Scots fun men he avoids: 'I don't think many of them are any good'". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  5. "Murder case shocks Judge". The Guardian. 28 September 1973. p. 7. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  6. Young, Andrew (6 July 1985). "Hector Nicol's Last full house". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 1 August 2017.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.