Jack Howarth (actor)

John Aubrey Conway Howarth, MBE (19 February 1896 – 31 March 1984) was an English stage, radio and television actor, best remembered for his role as grumpy but likeable elderly war veteran Albert Tatlock; an original cast member in the TV series Coronation Street between 1960 and 1984. Prior to his work with Coronation Street, he had a lengthy career in theatre, and in the radio soap opera Mrs. Dale's Diary.

Jack Howarth

MBE
Born
John Aubrey Conway Howarth

(1896-02-19)19 February 1896
Rochdale, Lancashire, England
Died31 March 1984(1984-03-31) (aged 88)
Llandudno, Gwynedd, Wales
Resting placeAshes buried in Colwyn Bay
OccupationActor
Years active1908–1984
Spouse(s)
Sarah Murgatroyd
​
(m. 1929)​
Children1

Biography

Early and personal life

Born at 96 Mitchell Street, Rochdale, Lancashire, Howarth was the son of comedian Bert Howarth, and went to school with the singer and actress Gracie Fields.

As a child he sold theatre programmes at the Theatre Royal, Rochdale, and in 1908 at the age of twelve he began playing juvenile roles on stage. He joined the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1914 and served in France and Belgium in World War I.[1]

He married Sarah E. "Betty" Murgatroyd at St Mary and St Peter Parish Church, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire,[2] on 25 July 1929. They were married until his death 55 years later. They had a son, John Jr. (born 1930).

Career

Howarth ran a small cinema after the outbreak of the First World War, having been a member of the Lancashire Fusiliers during that war. From 1935, he also ran his own theatre in Colwyn Bay, taking most of the male roles himself, due to the lack of men available to play the parts.

He toured the country in theatre performances where he met and married his wife Betty in Hull in July 1929. He also appeared in a number of films including The Man in the White Suit (1951) and Hobson's Choice (1954).

Howarth made his Coronation Street debut in the first episode in December 1960 and appeared in over 1,300 episodes until his final appearance on 25 January 1984. He was not written out, but was having a spell of time away and was due to return to the set in late April 1984.

Death

On 31 March 1984, Howarth died in Llandudno General Hospital from kidney failure and pneumonia, aged 88, with his wife and son John at his bedside. He was cremated six days later at Colwyn Bay.

His death meant that Bill Roache, who played Albert Tatlock's nephew-in-law, Ken Barlow, was the only original actor left on Coronation Street at that time. Albert Tatlock was written out shortly after Howarth's real life death, dying off-screen in the episode aired on 14 May 1984.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1946JeanniePorterTV movie
1947Mine Own ExecutionerParty GuestUncredited
1948The Men from the MinistryTV movie
1949Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland and Through the Looking GlassHumpty DumptyTV movie
1949Under the CounterMr. BurrouughsTV movie
1949The Bear and the Barrier PigeonLukaTV Short
1949When We Are MarriedAlderman Joseph HelliwellTV movie
1949The Cure for LoveHunter
1950The MagnetAuction bidderUncredited
1950-1956BBC Sunday Night TheatreTimothy "Tubby" Wadlow / Mr Bullamy / Cast member 'The Island of Cipango' / Harry Wall / Amos Entwhistle / Ted Munter / Joe Robinson / Sam Ramsdale8 episodes
1951The Man in the White SuitReceptionist at Corland Mill
1951A Legend in ChinaOn the Plate: Second ServantTV movie
1952Francis and JuniperMerchantTV Short
1952Exercise HushTed, the postmanTV movie
1952The Secret GardenPedlerEpisode: "The Door in the Wall"
1952Scotland Yard InspectorMinor roleUncredited
1952The Pickwick PapersStout CricketerEpisode: "The Second Paper"
1953The Great GameMinor roleUncredited
1953The Shadow ManLandlordUncredited
1953Stand By To ShootTug WilsonEpisode: "Falling Star"
1953The Persian KittenMr ClayTV movie
1954Hobson's ChoiceTubby Wadlow
1954What Every Woman WantsPub Customer
1955The Prince and the PauperConstableEpisode: "Hendon Hall"
1955Postmark for DangerHotel PorterUncredited
1956My Sister and IGrandfather6 episodes
1956Vanity FairWaiter at Vauchhall Gardens1 episode
1957Nathanial TitlarkCroom - Garage ownerEpisode: "O Woodman, Spare That Tree"
1957Final at FernellJoe TrubshawTV Short
1957The Mail van MurderCleanerShort, Uncredited
1957Professor TimVillager
1957-1958Be Soon3 episodes
1958Champion RoadMr Briggs2 episodes
1959ITV Play of the WeekMr FowleEpisode: "The Younger Generation"
1959The Artful DodgerEpisode: "Going, Going, Gone!"
1959The Man From Room 5143PublicanEpisode: "The Man Who Made Keys: Part 1"
1959GlencannonMr. ToothEpisode: "Pearl of Panama"
1960Probation OfficerMr Boyd1 episode
1960YorkyMr SellbyEpisode: "What's in a Name?"
1960Emergency - Ward 10Bertie Wallsaw1 episode
1960BBC Sunday-Night PlayHarryEpisode: "Pay Day"
1960Knight Errand LimitedBootleEpisode: "The Conspirators"
1960The Balloon and the BarronMr BrownTV movie
1961Armchair TheatreUncle FredEpisode: "Honeymoon Postponed"
1969All-Star Comedy CarnivalAlbert TatlockTV movie
1970Spring and Port Wine2nd bowler

Permanent role
Year Title Role Notes
1960–1984Coronation StreetAlbert Tatlock1305 episodes, (final appearance)

Honours

Howarth was the subject of This Is Your Life in November 1974 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews on the set of Coronation Street.

Howarth was made an MBE in 1983 for his charity work, especially for supporting the disabled and children with general learning difficulties.

References
  1. Daily Mirror - 12 November 1980
  2. http://www.yorkshirebmd.org.uk/cgi/marrind.cgi
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