When Sunderland was rocked by the death of comic legend Sid James on stage 50 years ago

The world was reeling 50 years ago after comic legend Sid James collapsed and died on a Sunderland stage.

One of Britain’s best loved actors, known to those who worked with him as ‘Gentleman Sid’, had only been on the Empire Theatre stage for around 20 minutes on the first night of the ‘hilarious comedy’ called The Mating Season.

Around 350 people were in the audience on April 26, 1976 to see a true favourite perform.

Sid had arrived on Wearside earlier that day and those who saw him said he looked relaxed and was looking forward to the first performance in his role of Sidney Gillespie.

But within 15 minutes of the show starting he slumped in his seat. The curtain was brought down and a doctor from the audience gave assistance, but the star was pronounced dead on arrival at Sunderland Royal Infirmary.

The Mating Season was due to perform to audiences each night for a week with 2.30pm matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday, and with admission prices at £1.40 and 95 pence.

The co-stars included Olga Lowe and Audrey Jeans and the rest of the week’s shows were cancelled in respect to Sid.

Olga would later say: “I came on, said my first lines and he answered as normal.

“Then I sat on the sofa with him. I said my next line and he didn’t answer.

“His head had slumped and his eyes had gone back into his head. I thought it was a gag. Well, you would with Sid. He was such a rascal.”

Eventually realising something was seriously wrong, she told the crew to bring down the curtain.

A post mortem determined that Sid, who was 62 at the time, died of natural causes. He had suffered a previous heart attack almost seven years earlier to the day.

The Mating Season still had three weeks of its run left and the tragedy cast doubts over whether the show would continue its run in Wilsmlow, Bath and Eastbourne.

David Jackley was the manager of the touring company and spoke to the Sunderland Echo in 1976. He said: “All the members of the company truly loved Sid. He was a gentleman and artist to them all.”

The tour had been due to last for 12 weeks because of Sid’s film commitments and tributes poured in once news of the actor’s death emerged.

Diana Coupland, who was Sid’s on-screen wife in Bless This House, said at the time: “He was always a professional and I learned an enormous amount from him. He was one of the finest actors in comedy.”

Barbara Windsor was a fellow star in the Carry On films and said: “I can’t believe it. Out of all the people I know in showbusiness, Sid was such a gentleman.”

Hattie Jacques said the part that Sid played in the films belied his character as a true gentleman.

Tell us if you were there on the night when tragedy struck. Email [email protected]