[3] An only child, he was named after his mother's younger brother, James Robinson Pye, who had been born in Clitheroe in 1894 and was killed in action in the First World War.

According to Robert Ross, however, Jimmy's small size was due to a rare genetic disorder[5] and until later life he could easily pass for an 11-year-old, which was the character he played on stage, in his early films, and on radio and television.

[3] He moved into films from 1940 (thanks to a chance meeting with top of the bill stars Arthur Lucan and Kitty McShane) and radio from 1954 (initially on the BBC's regional Home Service North, and subsequently on the nationwide BBC Light Programme, then television (with ITV, produced by ABC Television in their Manchester studios) from 1963.

During the 1940s, Clitheroe appeared in pantomime and summer season dates, and in films, with stars of the day including Arthur Lucan (as Old Mother Riley), George Formby, Vera Lynn, and Frank Randle.

For many years he drove a Mercedes car, with blocks on the pedals, adapted by mechanic Michael Darbyshire so that his feet could reach them.

[12] On 30 March 1973, Clitheroe collapsed in his hotel room in Plymouth, while touring in a variety show, and spent four days in hospital.

Jimmy Clitheroe died on Wednesday, 6 June 1973 from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, combined with seven brandies, on the day of his mother's funeral.

[13][12] His funeral was held at Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool, on 11 June 1973, where for many years he was commemorated by a plaque attached to memorial tree Number 3.