Blackpool clown Charlie Cairoli to get blue plaque

One of the most famous entertainers at Blackpool's Tower Circus is to be honoured with a blue plaque.

The Italian clown Charlie Cairoli performed at the venue for four decades from 1939.

He had settled in the town following the outbreak of World War Two and remained there until his death in 1980.

The blue plaque will be officially presented to members of the Cairoli family during a ceremony on 15 November and then permanently installed at the Tower's front entrance.

Nigel Male, from the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society, said: "He brought more holidaymakers into Blackpool than any other entertainer and it means a lot to have this plaque where it belongs.

"It's going to incorporate everyone who worked with Charlie."

Mr Male said despite being a lifelong fan, he never saw Cairoli perform.

"My parents took me to Blackpool in 1979 to see Charlie," he said.

"We went in and sat ringside and an announcement came over from the ringmaster, the legendary Norman Barratt, to say that due to illness Charlie wouldn't appear.

"But the fascination was always there, and now's the time to wrap the association up and go out on a high with a blue heritage plaque in the Tower."

Blackpool's Showtown museum recently acquired an archive collection celebrating Cairoli's legacy, including programmes and letters.

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