My Yorkshire: Maurice Lee

What's your favourite Yorkshire memory?

When I went to live in Hawes in Wensleydale. My wife, Jill, and I moved

up to North Yorkshire and opened a gallery called Simply Original. That was when I became a person, as opposed to a personality. I cut my hair, shaved my beard and we just became Maurice and Jill. We ran the gallery for about five years then I found the showbiz bug was still calling.

What's your favourite part of the county and why?

North Yorkshire and where we live, because it's less touristy. I spend a lot of time on ships, working on cruises. When I come home to the Dales I feel as though I am part of the countryside.

What's your idea of a perfect day, or a perfect weekend, out in Yorkshire?

When we babysit my grandson, Michael, or Mikey. We come down to Otley. Jill and I babysit for the whole day. I don't take gigs on Wednesdays if I can help it.

Do you have a favourite walk or view?

We always like Wensleydale. Anywhere in the Dales is fantastic.

Which Yorkshire sportsman, past or present, would you like to take for lunch?

Frank Worthington, who played for Leicester City and England at the time, but who also played for Huddersfield Town and Leeds United. I knew nothing of Frank when we were introduced in Leicester in the late 1970s, but we became good friends. Jill and I went to his wedding when he married Carol.

Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, past or present, would you like to take to dinner?

The Grumbleweeds would have to be there as they have all played a very big part of my life. They will always be in my mind whether I'm with them or not. Joe Longthorne would rank highest on my list of invites though. I think he's one hell of a guy.

If you had to name your Yorkshire hidden gem, what would it be?

It has to be the respect the younger people still have for the older people, particularly it seems to me in the Dales. They have a wonderful attitude, a little bit like you remember the respect people had back as far as the 1950s. They will tell me about a farmer who might be 90 years of age and they will say everything he's done with pride.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

Its outright honesty and the fact that Yorkshire people like to get straight to the point. I like that.

Do you follow sport in the county?

I haven't followed sport very much, which probably accounts for why I didn't know who Frank (Worthington) was when I met him, but I have played most things. I'm a participator rather than a watcher. I have played quite a bit of cricket. My main sport is table tennis and I also play tennis, golf and a bit of football for Hawes. They'll laugh at that. I was always the chap that if anyone went sick a young lad would knock at the door and say, 'Maurice can you play tonight?' I was usually painting a picture at the time and I would break off to turn out for the B team. All I really ever did was run about. I've also done a lot of running, particularly marathons. I've run the Leeds Marathon with Jimmy (Savile), the Bolton Marathon and the London Marathon. I've also become a real Dales sportsman with a bit of clay pigeon shooting and quoits.

Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?

I like the Wensleydale Heifer in West Witton, the Foresters in Carlton in Coverdale and the Thwaites Arms in Horsehouse.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

I love Campbells in Leyburn. I'm not a great lover of supermarkets but Campbells is so friendly that you feel as though you're in a corner shop. They also have a fantastic wine department upstairs.

How do you think Yorkshire has changed, for better or worse, in the time that you've known it?

I don't think it has changed and that's what I like about it. I know where I am with Yorkshire. It has advanced, moved on, but the people haven't changed, they haven't become another breed because of changes, they've stayed as they are.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

The kind of people who get most of my admiration are people who get on with stuff. People who don't have to be famous and don't seek fame.

Has Yorkshire influenced your life?

When you tour the rest of the country and rest of the world, you realise just how much Yorkshire means to you. It influences me hugely being a Yorkshireman, because that's my stamp, that's what I carry around the world. I say with pride, 'I'm from Yorkshire' and that's where my confidence comes from. I started my showbiz career working

in the Yorkshire Hussars in Leeds, also The Slip Inn and the Prospect on York Road.

Your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/performer?

Joe Cocker, who I absolutely adore, and Joe Longthorne.

If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, it would be?

The Yorkshire Dales. That would keep them busy for long enough.

Maurice Lee recently returned to the stage with his one-man show.

YP MAG 30/10/10