MORE THAN JUST CHUCKLES IN CHURCH

Martin Handley remembers Derek Nimmo who, although best known for portraying bumbling clerics, did so much more on stage and screen

- Martin Handley

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the market in eccentric ecclesiastics on British television was dominated by Derek Nimmo. All Gas and Gaiters, Oh, Brother! and Oh, Father! brought humour into households but consternation to senior clergy. However, there was much more to Derek than chuckles in church.

Born at 26 Springbourne Road, Liverpool on 19 September 1930, Derek’s father Henry was an insurance agent. After education at Booker Street Junior School, eight-year-old Derek spent the next nine years at Quarry Bank High School for Boys. John Lennon went there a decade later. It’s now known as Calderstones.

After joining his father in insurance, Derek considered the priesthood before abandoning premiums for paint. He earned £12 a week as a sales executive for a paint company. His National Service was served as a corporal in the intelligence division in Cyprus. Meanwhile, a secretary at the paint company had heard of Derek’s thespian leanings and – unbeknown to him – wrote to three repertory companies on his behalf. From these came an introduction to Lew Grade, for whom Derek became personal assistant. After this, he acted as road manager for the popular American singer Al Martino on a UK tour.

Now in his early 20s, Derek’s personal life was similarly gaining ground. He met future wife Patricia at a dance in a disused church hall. Their first date was in a shelter on Penny Lane – yes, the one referred to in the Beatles song. They were married on 9 April 1955. Three children followed – Timothy (1956), Piers (1957) and Amanda (1959).