Cyril Fletcher
An English comic whose whimsical 'Odd Odes' became a beloved staple of television, recited with his signature call to 'pin back your lugholes.'
1913–2005 (age 92)·English comedian·Birthday: June 25·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Cyril Fletcher was a comedian of the old school, a versatile entertainer whose career stretched from music hall stages to television screens for over half a century. With his distinctive voice and genteel yet mischievous manner, he carved out a unique niche not with slapstick, but with verse. His genius lay in the 'Odd Ode'—whimsical, often gently satirical poems about mundane subjects, delivered with impeccable timing and a twinkle in his eye. These pieces, which he had performed for years, found a national platform on the BBC's 'That's Life!' in the 1970s, making him a household face. Beyond the odes, Fletcher was a shrewd businessman, a passionate gardener who presented shows on the subject, and a pantomime mainstay, embodying a brand of warm, intelligent humor that has since faded from the mainstream.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Cyril was born in 1913, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cyril Was Born
The biggest hits of 1913
Cyril's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1913Born
The Federal Reserve is established
President: Woodrow Wilson
1918Started school
World War I ends; Spanish flu pandemic kills millions
President: Woodrow Wilson
1926Became a teenager
Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket
President: Calvin Coolidge"Baby Face" — Jan Garber
1929Could drive
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1931Could vote
The Empire State Building opens as the world's tallest
Gas: $0.17/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Minnie the Moocher" — Cab CallowayBest Picture: Cimarron
1934Turned 21
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1943Turned 30
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1953Turned 40
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1963Turned 50
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 60
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 70
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1993Turned 80
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2005Died at 92
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
Key Achievements
- His 'Odd Odes' became a defining segment on the hugely popular BBC television magazine show 'That's Life!' for eight years.
- Authored several books collecting his humorous poetry, extending the life of his comic material.
- Had a long and successful career as a pantomime dame and producer, a staple of British Christmas theatre.
Did You Know?
His catchphrase, 'Pin back your lugholes' (lug holes being slang for ears), is still remembered by generations of UK viewers.
He was a dedicated gardener and hosted the BBC television series 'Gardeners' World' for a period.
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1982 for his services to entertainment.
“My odd odes are for your amusement, not your analysis.”
