Sid James attack while performing on stage at the Sunderland Empire Theatre; he died in hospital an hour later. Some, including comedian Les Dawson, claim to have seen the ghost of James at the theatre, and subsequently refused to appear at the theatre again. James was born Solomon Joel Cohen on 8 May 1913, to Jewish parents in South Africa, later changing his name to Sidney Joel Cohen, and then Sidney James. His family lived on Hancock Street in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. Upon moving to the UK later in life, he claimed various previous occupations, including diamond cutter, dance tutor and boxer; in
Jimmy James (comedian) was a sergeant in the Northumberland Fusiliers but was invalided out after being gassed on the Western Front. James appeared in Stockton as a double act with his great uncle Jimmy Howells and they were known as The Two Jimmies. James became a comedian by chance. In 1925, he took over for one night at Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, standing in when the regular comedian walked out. His next big break came when he took over from a young Max Miller who had walked out of a show. In 1929, James was talent spotted at the Sunderland Empire by impresario George Black,