The “Nut From Knotty Ash” Leads Tributes To Birmingham’s “Mr Showbiz”

14 December 2011

Fred Norris (centre, front), pictured with his journalism student grandson Alexander Horton (left, front) and former colleagues Tony Dickens, Fred Bromwich, John Lamb and Tony Bell. Also pictured is Lisa Kennedy, Press Club head of sponsorship

Top entertainer Ken Dodd led the tributes to legendary Birmingham Evening Mail theatre critic Fred Norris when the Handsworth-born journalist was made a Life Member of Birmingham Press Club in recognition of his contribution to regional journalism.

The honour was bestowed on Fred at the Press Club’s annual Christmas lunch, held at Marco Pierre White’s new restaurant at The Cube, Birmingham, when guests were treated to a specially recorded video message from the Chuckle-Master of Knotty Ash.

Ken, who first met Fred in the 1950s, described him as a “fabulous man” and a great supporter of theatre.

“You gave me my first good write-up – and called me the Nut from Knotty Ash. It’s stuck ever since,” said Ken, who added: “Fred, we think the world of you – we all have great affection for you.”

He joked: “I know you have always had a soft spot for comedians – it’s called a swamp near Dudley!”

Fred, now 84, originally joined the Evening Mail in 1944 as a “pencil sharpener and copy boy,” finally retiring in 2006 after 50 years as the Mail’s theatre critic. Affectionately know as “Birmingham’s Mr Showbiz,” over the years Fred formed lasting friendships with many of the stars who visited Birmingham, particularly with Ken Dodd.

Former Evening Mail editor Steve Dyson told guests – including Fred’s grandson, trainee journalist Alexander Horton: “Fred was a constant news desk charmer on the editorial floor of the Evening Mail for more than 50 years.

“Always dapper in suit and bow-tie, you always knew a good story was on its way when Fred arrived at your desk with his beaming smile, impatiently hopping from foot-to-foot as he waited his turn to tell you what would be making that day’s paper.

“Anyone who worked with him was entranced by his enthusiasm, resourcefulness of contacts and skills at the crafted word.

“It’s fitting that the Press Club have marked the great career of a man who inspired so many.”

Numerous former colleagues unable to attend the lunch also paid their own tributes to Fred, including showbiz PR consultant Robert Holmes, who said: “Fred is one of the great characters of journalism and fully deserves the honour which the Press Club has bestowed on him.”

Ian Dowell, who was editor of the Evening Mail from 1986 – 2001, commented: “Fred was the Page Three star who kept his clothes on! The daily entertainment special in the old broadsheet Mail, spread over the whole of the huge page three, was for decades the envy of the regional press -- and Fred was the brains behind it.

“His talents extended beyond showbiz and he was often asked to add that something extra to everything from royal weddings and funerals to big, breaking news stories. Fred was truly our No 1.”

Ian Mean, Editor of The Citizen and Editor-in-Chief of Gloucestershire Media, who was News Editor on the Evening Mail during the latter stages of Fred’s career, said: “Fred was peerless in the provinces. He was the showbiz and theatre writer who really did know Ken Dodd and Les Dawson. Why? – because generally he got blotto with them.

“The great thing about Fred was that he wrote like a dream – but he was also a great reporter, especially on the big occasions, like the wedding of Charles and Diana.”