Rentaghost with limited success, to involve the ghosts in his latest business enterprise. When actor Michael Darbyshire (who played the role of Davenport) died in 1979, Anthony Jackson (Mumford) declined to appear in the next series, leaving Michael Staniforth's Claypole the sole original ghost; Davenport and Mumford's absences were explained at the start of the series by the pair having gone on an extended tour of stately home hauntings. After Mumford's departure, the business was taken over by Harold Meaker and his wife Ethel, who suffered from the various problems the ghosts brought to their lives. The long-suffering neighbours of Rentaghost
Black Jester was identified as a contender for major honours in 1914. In the 2000 Guineas over Newmarket's Rowley Mile course, Black Jester finished third of the eighteen runners, beaten a short head and two lengths by Kennymore and Corcyra. Shortly afterwards, Black Jester won the St George Stakes at Liverpool to confirm his position as a contender for the Epsom Derby. At Epsom on 29 May, Black Jester started the 10/1 second favourite for the Derby, which attracted an estimated 400,000 spectators, including the King and Queen. The race was delayed by the behaviour of Kennymore who became extremely agitated and