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Q What became of Jim McManus who was possibly the best actor to have impersonated Tony Hancock? David Ricks, Colchester, Essex

Best of British says: Born in Bristol but brought up in Clapham, south London, Jim McManus was educated at Buckhurst Hill County High School in Chigwell, Essex – a school with “a very successful school drama society.” Among his contemporaries there was Terrence Hardiman, the Demon Headmaster star who we paid tribute to in the July issue.

Trained at Theatre Workshop Stratford East under Joan Littlewood, McManus understudied Murray Melvin as Geoffrey in the West End production of A Taste of Honey. When Theatre Workshop took Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be to the Garrick Theatre, McManus worked as a dresser to the actor Wally Patch, who suggested that he try his luck at the Whitehall Theatre.