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Charlie Chester (1914-1997), Comedian and singer

Cecil Victor ('Charlie') Chester

Sitter associated with 11 portraits
'Cheerful Charlie' Chester was born Cecil Victor Manser, the son an Eastbourne cinema sign-painter and and a mother who sang. Starting at age 7 he won over 82 talent competitions before turning professional whilst still a teenager. His sixty year career was spent primarily as a radio star ranging from his war time success in Stand Easy followed by shows such as Keep Smiling, Come to Charlie (a sitcom) and A Proper Charlie making him a major 1950s top radio and variety name. In 1969 started his long-running radio programme Sunday Soapbox reflected his concern for less fortunate members of society.

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