From childhood he had the ambition to be a professional dancer, but he became well known for the funny walks which formed part of his well-loved comedy act.
His next part was as a chorus boy in Strike a New Note at the Prince of Wales Theatre, with Sid Field and Jerry Desmonde, along with the newly formed pairing of Morecambe and Wise.
He spent the next two decades in variety theatre, before getting his TV break on Sunday Night at the London Palladium in the late 1950s.
He also played the dame at the London Palladium in Dick Whittington with the then rising star Tommy Steele.
[4] Dainty also had a large following of radio listeners, who tuned-in to his shows, including Stick a Geranium in Your Hat.
He embodied the authentic, original and exuberant spirit of the old style music hall tradition; the theatre was his domain – although he also successfully moved into television.
[6] Although he was described as looking like a 'plumber's mate', he was in fact an extraordinarily skilled dancer; his nimble footwork and bursts of physical activity always surprised and delighted his audience.