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Charlie Chester

(1914-1997), Comedian and singer

Cecil Victor ('Charlie') Chester

Sitter associated with 11 portraits
'Cheerful Charlie' Chester was born Cecil Victor Manser, the son an Eastbourne cinema sign-painter and and a mother who sang. Starting at age 7 he won over 82 talent competitions before turning professional whilst still a teenager. His sixty year career was spent primarily as a radio star ranging from his war time success in Stand Easy followed by shows such as Keep Smiling, Come to Charlie (a sitcom) and A Proper Charlie making him a major 1950s top radio and variety name. In 1969 started his long-running radio programme Sunday Soapbox reflected his concern for less fortunate members of society.

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Charlie Chester, by Count Zichy, for  Baron Studios - NPG x125736

Charlie Chester

by Count Zichy, for Baron Studios
half-plate film negative, 1954
NPG x125736

Charlie Chester, by (Edward) Russell Westwood - NPG x35262

Charlie Chester

by (Edward) Russell Westwood
bromide print, 1960s
NPG x35262

Charlie Chester, by (Edward) Russell Westwood - NPG x35263

Charlie Chester

by (Edward) Russell Westwood
bromide print, 1960s
NPG x35263

Charlie Chester, by (Edward) Russell Westwood - NPG x35264

Charlie Chester

by (Edward) Russell Westwood
bromide print, 1960s
NPG x35264

Charlie Chester, by (Edward) Russell Westwood - NPG x35265

Charlie Chester

by (Edward) Russell Westwood
bromide print, 1960s
NPG x35265

Charlie Chester; Dorita Chester (née Langley), by (Edward) Russell Westwood - NPG x35266

Charlie Chester; Dorita Chester (née Langley)

by (Edward) Russell Westwood
bromide print, 1960s
NPG x35266

Web image not currently available

Charlie Chester

by Count Zichy, for Baron Studios
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1954
NPG x125740

Web image not currently available

Charlie Chester

by Count Zichy, for Baron Studios
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1954
NPG x125737

Web image not currently available

Charlie Chester

by Count Zichy, for Baron Studios
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1954
NPG x125738

Web image not currently available

Charlie Chester

by Count Zichy, for Baron Studios
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1954
NPG x125739

Web image not currently available

Charlie Chester

by Count Zichy, for Baron Studios
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1954
NPG x125741

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Mr D Scott

18 July 2020, 23:34

Did you know that Charlie Chester was also an amateur artist? In fact I have one of his paintings, it was bought by my Mum who actually wrote to Charlie Chester to secure provenance.