The night Sid James died on stage in Sunderland – 50 years on

On April 26, 1976, the 62‑year‑old comic actor, best known for the Carry On films and TV’s Bless This House, collapsed during the opening night of the farce The Mating Season at Sunderland Empire and later died after suffering a heart attack.

That night, Sunderland Empire was hosting the latest stop on a busy touring schedule that kept James on stages around the country in the mid‑1970s.

Around 20 minutes into the performance, with fellow actor Olga Lowe on stage, he slumped in his chair in front of the audience.

Many people initially thought the collapse was part of the act, until the curtain was brought down and it became clear that something was seriously wrong.

He had suffered a heart attack and was confirmed to have died in Sunderland that evening, aged 62.

Accounts of what followed have grown over the years into a piece of theatre lore.

It is said that, when Sunderland Empire manager Roy Todds telephoned producer Bill Robertson with the news that his star had died in Sunderland, Robertson replied “Everybody dies in Sunderland.”

On Sunday, the 50th anniversary of his death, Sunderland Empire marked the date publicly, noting that they honour Sid James with a ghost light as they remembered “his unique talent and humour.”