People have reportedly been seeing the spirit of Sid James at the Sunderland Empire.
The man who became famous across the world for his roles in the Carry On movie series and had the ‘dirtiest laugh on television’ has been a rumoured ‘presence’ in a dressing room he used the night he died.
The legendary comedian and star of the hit TV show Blakety Blank Les Dawson – was reportedly so freaked out when he used the room later that he point blank refused to ever set foot in the theatre.
It was also apparent that Dawson was unwilling to go into details and literally refused to say what had actually happened.
People have also claimed that Barbara Windsor, who people suggested he had a real soft spot for, would refuse to play at show if it involves going to Sunderland. The pair appeared in many movies together and were great friends on and off screen. The stories of Bab’s fear of the theatre has never been confirmed it must be said.
It was back in April 1976 when Sid’s show came to the Sunderland Empire with Sid playing big role on stage, as you would come to expect from this truly talented comedy legend.
The people who were there that night reveal how he missed a cue, which was unlike Sid and made people aware that there was a problem.
His manager David Jackley is quoted as saying: “He was sitting down on stage and when he did not get up on cue I guessed something was wrong. I ran down the aisle and called for the curtain to come down just as he fell forward and collapsed.”
“It was a most strenuous part because he was on stage practically all the time.”
Many people felt at the time that it could be one giant, elaborate, practical joke. There were reports that the news was not taken seriously at all as it spread across the U.K. that night following Sid’s collapse.
Sid ‘James’ was born as Solomon Joel Cohen in South Africa back in 1913 and had many jobs before his acting careers started and of course he eventually became best known for his Carry On films and a role in Bless This House, a sitcom.
Sid was a married man, and became one of the most popular actors in the U.K. He was also famous for his cackling laugh and it was pretty much common knowledge that he had a strong affection for his Carry On co star, Barbara Windsor.
Sid James suffered a heart attack on stage during the opening night of comedy called ‘The Mating Season’ on April 26 1976 and died at the age of 63
His spirit, along with several others, are said to be present at the Edwardian theatre.
