Betty Jumel was born Amy Ada Beatrice Grimshaw in Fairhaven, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire in 1901.

When the family disbanded before the First World War, the young Betty Jumel joined her father's double act, in which her main role was to play the piano, dance and sing.

Fairly pretty and very small for her age, Jumel made the most of her youthful look and often wore a lace dress and ringlets during performances – which completed her girlish features.

Becoming successful in her own right, it was not long before other performers eventually persuaded her to let them join her – and consequently, she appeared on a number of occasions with the gangling and ungainly Nat Jackley in a much-loved turn called 'At the Ball'.

Jackley's angular body contrasted marvellously with Jumel's small figure in an overtight ball gown, which was split up one side to reveal her funny, wafer-thin legs.