[1] A contemporary of fellow Lancastrians George Formby and Gracie Fields, he was regarded as more subversive, perhaps explaining why the immense popularity he enjoyed during his lifetime has not survived him.

[2] Randle was born in Aspull, near Wigan, Lancashire, to unmarried domestic servant Rhoda Heathcote Hughes (1879-1965); his father was unrecorded.

[8] Randle's mischievous wit led to a running conflict with Harry Barnes, a police chief constable of the Lancashire seaside resort of Blackpool, who frequently banned him from performing in the town's venues.

His iconoclastic portrayal of the underdog, flouting authority and disrupting the establishment, found a ready audience in a population suffering the privations of war.

Randle's comedy achievement was celebrated in "Grin up North", a major touring exhibition that looked at the unique Northern sense of humour.