Bessie Bellwood

Bessie Bellwood (born Catherine Mahoney; 30 March 1856 – 24 September 1896) was a popular music hall performer of the Victorian era noted for her singing of 'Coster' songs, including "What Cheer 'Ria".

Bellwood was born in London[5] to Patrick Mahoney and his wife Catherine (née Ready), both of whom originated from County Cork in Ireland, and who had married in November 1849.

On 25 March 1889, she appeared on the same bill as Jenny Hill at the Canterbury Theatre of Varieties[8] and on August Bank Holiday in 1893 she stood in for Vesta Tilley at Carlo Gatti's Charing Cross Music Hall in London.

[9] Although she lacked the versatility of her rivals Marie Lloyd and Jenny Hill, she nevertheless became a popular performer with working class audiences for her 'saucy' stage manner, quick witted comic talent, and her ability to argue down even the toughest of hecklers.

The shocked footmen, handing round tea, were despatched for pins, and the immortal singer of ‘Wot cheer, ‘Ria,’ whose real name was Mahoney, and who claimed to be a descendant of Father Prout,’ but who, most certainly, began life as a rabbit skinner in the New Cut, carefully divided her spoils among many applicants.

"[11] A devout Roman Catholic, she was admired by her public for her many acts of kindness to the poor, which included paying for Masses for the dead and dying, giving away her own money and possessions, taking in laundry, cleaning homes and looking after children.

[citation needed] In 1890, Bellwood was briefly declared bankrupt as a result of lending a substantial amount of money to her long-time lover,[15] the Duke of Manchester which was never repaid.

[23] In the 1944 film Champagne Charlie starring Tommy Trinder as George Leybourne and Stanley Holloway as Alfred Vance, the part of Bessie Bellwoood was played by Betty Warren.