Mimi Law

(from Isle of Wight Press)
COMEDIENNE Mimi Law, who spent a lifetime on and off stage with her late husband, has died, aged 91.

Mimi Law, who died at Brinsworth House, Twickenham, the actors’ retirement home, on June 27, had lived in Ryde from the mid-70s until last year.

Much better known on the Island and nationally by her stage name, Mimi Law began life as an entertainer when aged 12.
Born into a showbusiness family, Mimi and her elder brother, Jerry Jerome, had been the original Bisto Kids.

Mimi met comedian Billy Whittaker, regarded as one of the best panto dames in the business, during the 1940s in a show called Hi Diddle Diddle. They became one of Britain’s most popular double acts.

They spent summer seasons in seaside resorts and did pantomimes across Britain. Billy died on the Island in 1994.

Daisy Stinks became Mimi’s best-loved character and, with her tatty wig, scruffy clothes and blacked-out teeth, became popular around the country. In later years she recreated this character to help Island charity shows.

As a double act they first came to the Island in the 60s to support the stars in Sunday night concerts at Sandown Pavilion and Shanklin Theatre.

Their first bill-topping resident summer season on the Island was in 1972, in the Show Of Shows at Ryde Pavilion. Three years later they moved to the Island when Billy became Medina Borough Council’s entertainments manager.

During her stage career with Billy and as a solo performer, Mimi appeared with stars of the day, who included Charlie Drake, Hylda Baker, Peter Glaze, Charlie Chester, Roy Hudd and Clive Dunn.

Among her closest friends were Ken Dodd and Norman Wisdom. She also performed overseas and produced and directed theatre shows.
For more than 30 years she was a popular figure on the Island.

Her local charity work involved the British Heart Foundation and Wessex Heartbeat. She was also a very active member of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Ryde.