Mick Miller

Mick was born, Michael Lawton, in Dingle, an area of Liverpool, on 25th February 1950. His father, Stanley, was the manager of a mobile Co-Op shop. His mother, Evelyn, worked in the local Co-Op store. He has an older sister, Marilyn.

From an early age, Mick loved kicking a football around the in the park. When he started at Cardinal Newman secondary school, he was in his element as the school had a football team. He made it his goal to be selected for the team. A goal the he soon reached.

At the age of twelve, his father took him to Goodison Park to see his first professional match. He was hooked, and set himself another goal. One day, he would play professionally. In the short term, he managed to gain a place as goalkeeper for the Liverpool Catholic Schoolboys team. He did well, but with typical scouse humour, his teammates nicknamed him Dracula because he was no good with crosses!

After seeing an advert in a soccer magazine, Mick and one of his friends, applied for a place at soccer trials for Port Vale Football Club. They were accepted for the trial and Mick was singled out from the others. At just 15 years of age, the legendary Stanley Mathews signed him to Port Vale. Mick was in his element and in 1966 he was called up for an England youth team trial, but lost out to a young lad called Peter Shilton. So, at least he has no regrets about his trial.

Eventually, Mick was released from his Port Vale contract and after playing for some other minor clubs; he decided it was time for a change of direction.

After several jobs, and a spell in Israel, working on a Kibbutz, Micks cousin suggested that he might like to consider working as a sports host for Pontins. He took up the suggestion and in 1971, started work at the Camber Sands camp near Hastings. He loved the job and eventually appeared in the Blue Coat Shows. As the season went on, Mick became interested in comedy. He took every opportunity to learn from the visiting comedians.

The season ended and Mick decided to try his luck as a comedian. It was a hard winter, but it taught him a lot about the business. During his leaner times, Mick decided that he would need a stage name. He wanted a name that rolled off the tongue. Miller seemed to go well with Mick, so thats how the name came about. It has nothing to do with Mick The Miller, the champion greyhound!

He returned to Camber Sands for the next season as the main comedy host. During the season, Mick was moved to another Pontins camp near Weymouth. The move was successful and allowed him to work on his comedy act.

When the season ended, Mick decided to settle on the south coast. To pay the rent, Mick became a Bingo caller and tried get as much work in the clubs as possible. His act improved and he soon became in demand. A lot of his work was at the army camps and they certainly let him know if they didnt like his act.

His reputation was growing, so he decided to move back north. This proved to be a good move. He was able to work larger, more prestigious venues and became a regular support act to the big name acts. He also now worked overseas.

In 1976, Mick applied to go on the popular TV talent show, New Faces. He was accepted and won his heat. As a direct result, he was signed up for a national tour supporting Chuck Berry. Other tours followed, and in 1977 he was offered his first summer season in Morecombe.

1978 saw him appear for the summer season at Blackpools South Pier. The show was very well received, and he was invited back the following year. It was during this season that TV producer, Johnny Hamp first saw Mick work. He loved what he saw and immediately offered Mick a regular spot on The Comedians TV show. He appeared alongside such household names as Roy Walker, Stan Boardman and Jim Bowen. He loved every minute of it and is still close friends with many of the team.

After the success of that show, Mick was offered other TV work. He appeared on such shows as Blankety Blank and The Little And Large Show. He was also given his own half hour TV special by Granada TV called Success.

Eventually, Mick was asked to co present a series called The Funny Side along with Mike Smith and Cheryl Baker.

Thanks to shows such as Des OConnor Tonight, he has appeared on TV every year since The Comedians.

Coming up to the present, Mick has appeared on the cult sports quiz, They Think Its All Over and had a half hour special on Sky One. This was filmed in front of a live audience at a famous London comedy club. He is also very proud to be a regular guest on the popular daytime TV show, Today With Des And Mel.

In 2004, Johnny Hamp reunited four of the original comedians for a nationwide theatre tour. Mick, along with Roy Walker, Frank Carson and Ken Goodwin, played to packed houses up and down the country.