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,
Mick’s 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 that’s 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 didn’t like his act.
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His
reputation was growing, so he decided to move back north and take
up the offer of work with Stuart Littlewood Associates in Manchester.
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 Blackpool’s 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 O’Connor 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 It’s 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.
Mick
now lives with his partner, Wendy, in Poulton Le Fylde, near Blackpool.
He is still in demand for cabaret, cruising and after dinner speaking. |
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