Comedian and impersonator Mike Yarwood dies, Royal Variety Charity says

Comedian and impersonator Mike Yarwood has died aged 82, the Royal Variety Charity has mentioned.

He grew to become a family identify within the Nineteen Sixties and Nineteen Seventies, attracting enormous TV audiences for his impersonations of politicians and different public figures.

“The Mike Yarwood Show (1977) holds the record for the largest single Christmas Day audience of 21.4 million viewers,” the charity mentioned in an announcement.

He spent his “latter years” on the charity’s care house, Brinsworth House in Twickenham, southwest London,

“He leaves behind an immeasurable void in the entertainment industry,” the organisation mentioned.

The topics of Yarwood’s impressions included former Labour prime minister Harold Wilson, his Tory rival Ted Heath, political interviewer Robin Day, rugby league commentator Eddie Waring and soccer supervisor Brian Clough.

His preliminary success got here on Sunday Night on the London Palladium, on which he first appeared in 1964.

Yarwood “quickly rose to prominence for his exceptional ability to mimic the voices and mannerisms of countless celebrities and public figures”, the Royal Variety Charity mentioned.

“His talent for impersonation brought smiles to the faces of millions and his unique ability to capture the essence of his subjects made him an icon in the comedy world.”

Comedian Kate Robbins mentioned Yarwood was the “guv’nor of impressionists”.

Posting on X, previously often known as Twitter, she mentioned: “So sad to hear the great Mike Yarwood has died. I was lucky enough to work with him in the 80s.

“When I used to be Sarah Brightman to his Cliff Richard we might hardly get something finished for laughing a lot.”

Yarwood was born on 4 June 1941 in Bredbury, Cheshire.

After attending a secondary trendy college, he labored as a messenger after which as a salesman at a garment warehouse.

He was a lifelong supporter of Stockport County Football Club.