WHO remembers the man who used to dance in clogs more than 40 years ago — Henry Whitaker?

Back in the fifties and sixties he used to perform at local carnivals and also took to the stage at seaside shows.

He also appeared in Coronation Street, in a storyline about the Rovers Return emphasising its big Lancastrian heart.

Although Henry was tee-total, he was happy to appear in a pub, which had never served a drink since the first day it opened!

Born in the 1890s, he was a clothlooker in Nelson for 50 years before becoming a clog dancer at the age of 66.

He lived in Hibson Road and as well as never touching alcohol, was also a vegetarian.

He was 77 when millions of viewers saw him perform his act in the tap room of the Rovers, and despite his years, he could still kick his clogs higher than his head.

Called into the soap at short notice, Henry rubbed shoulders with such stars as Hilda Ogden in her curlers and Ena Sharples in her hairnet, while in his traditional costume of wooden clogs and a bow tie.

He said of his experience: “It was a miracle to see these studios when you’ve never been here before.”

He was, however, no stranger to show business, as his first stage appearance was at the tender age of three months.

Actor Arthur Leslie, who used to play landlord Jack Walker, was no stranger to Nelson either, for he spent three seasons in plays at the former Old Tivoli Theatre there.

Henry in the Rovers Return with Ken Barlow and Jack and Annie Walker.