Real name: Derek King

Born Derek King, Johnny started his career at the age of 13.
He initially went under the name Peter Ross at Leicester's old Theatre Royal in Horsefair Street, in the 1950s.
In 2006, he was named as one of the theatre world's all-time top five panto dames by the journal of the British Music Hall Society.
Despite poor health he was still starring in shows until a few months before his death.
He ran a talent agency he set up in the 1970s to give young performers a showbusiness break.
He was a stickler for theatrical tradition and a showman to the end.
He died in his sleep at the age of 80 at his Glenfield home on November 11, 2009.