Comedian George Roper was best known for his television appearances on
ITV's long running series The Comedians, first shown in the UK in the
early 1970s. Roper's jokes were clean, inoffensive and usually centres
around 'wellies' (wellington boots). His fascination for 'wellies'
stemmed from a brief spell working as a builder's labourer.
Born in Liverpool, Roper was the son of a window cleaner. On leaving
school he joined the Merchant Navy, working as a galley boy and then a
steward.
He joined the RAF as a drill instructor and while stationed in Holland
began entertaining troops at a forces concert party. After leaving the
RAF he worked in various manual jobs and singing and telling jokes in
clubs at night. The music hall comedian Sandy Powell encouraged him to
become a professional entertainer.
He moved to Manchester in the 1960s and whilst working in cabaret was
spotted by Johnny Hamp, creator of The Comedians. Hamp booked him for
the first series in 1971.
When The Comedians finished in the 1980s Roper was still in demand in
clubs and summer shows and for some years appeared in cabaret in
Benidorm, Spain.