BOBBY KNOXALLComic Bobby Knoxall died in Sunderland Royal Hospital, aged 75, on 20 July, 2009.Born Robert McKenna, he was once an illiterate barrow boy, expelled from two schools before he was 12. But he rose to become an international cabaret star who shared bills with the likes of Roy Orbison, Bob Monkhouse, Frankie Howerd, Louis Armstrong and Johnny Mathis.A passionate supporter of his home city he worked hard for charities - helping to raise more than £1million during his career - and was awarded the MBE in 2004.His break into showbusiness came after he won atalent competition at Sunderland's Rink Ballroom. His acrobatic dance skills won him a place with a group of rock and roll dancers in London.He then began singing and performing comedy patter between songs graduating on to the bill of some of the top cabaret shows in the UK and abroad. But in Britain he was best-known in the North-East and appeared regularly on Tyne Tees television.In 1973 he sang Sunderland's official FA Cup song, All The Way.Ill-health forced him to retire, but he made a comeback in 2002. In 2003 he launched his autobiography Stand Up!Hisbiographer, Patrick Lavelle, told the Sunderland Echo: "Bobby Knoxall was a true Mackem. Proud of his roots and always fighting the city's corner. To some he was a bit rough around the edges, yes, but always a gentleman".Mr McKenna was survived by his wife and five children.
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