[3] Born in Walshaw, near Bury, Lancashire,[5] the son of Allan and Gladys Mabel (née Curson),[6] Smethurst was raised in Sheringham, Norfolk, from the age of 11.
[citation needed] Smethurst hummed tunes on his daily post round for 12 years, writing and singing songs in his characteristic Norfolk dialect.
A colour promotional film was made of “Hev Yew Gotta Loight Boy” which has survived to this day.
He made numerous live and promotional performances, including on Top of the Pops, but was afflicted by nerves and stage fright.
He spent his last 20 years living quietly in a Salvation Army hostel in Grimsby,[3] where he died from a heart attack in December 2000.