Lew Lane (entertainer)

Lew Lane (born Stanley Lawton; 9 April 1928 – 15 November 2015) was an English variety show entertainer, director and producer.

Born in Dudley, Worcestershire, he left school at the age of 14 and performed as a ventriloquist, adopting the stage name Lew Lane after his signature was misread.

During military service in the Second World War he performed with ENSA, and compered and staged shows, later working with Ralph Reader.

After the clubs became less fashionable in the 1970s and 1980s, he continued as a freelance producer of shows featuring variety acts and music hall performers.

He was actively involved in the Royal Variety Charity and the Grand Order of Water Rats, and was President of the British Music Hall Society in 1980-1983.