Sad news this evening, as well-known Narberth entertainer Wyn Calvin MBE has passed away in hospital, following a short illness.

Known as the ‘Welsh Prince of Laughter’ - Joseph Wyndham Calvin Thomas, passed away today (Tuesday, January 25) at the age of 96.

He leaves to mourn his wife Carole, a former dancer, with the couple meeting when Wyn performed at the opening of the Barry Butlins holiday camp in 1966.

Born in Narberth on August 25, 1925, Wyn was one of eight children.

The family uprooted to Cardiff when he was five and moved into the house where he has lived ever since. There he attended Kitchener Road Infants and then Canton High School, the building which is now Chapter Arts Centre.

With a life dedicated to live entertainment, Wyn’s illustrious panto career led to a seal of approval from Sir Ian McKellen when in 2003, he was asked by the actor to coach him in the art of playing Widow Twankey.

Only last September, a year after it was planned, Wyn was feted at a celebration lunch to mark an astonishing 75 years in showbusiness.

He was the top-table chief guest at a lunch given by the British Musical Hall Society at the Union Jack Club, London, attended by his peers, family and friends. And as a ‘grand dame of pantomime’ it is fitting that the principal speakers were Lady Anne Dodd, widow of Ken Dodd, and Debbie Hudd, who was married to comedian Roy Hudd.

Also paying tribute was Gandalf himself, Sir Ian McKellen, who recently took Wyn’s advice on how to play a pantomime Dame with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Using his familiar scarf he even demonstrated some of the techniques passed on to him by Wyn on how to portray a pantomime dame.

Throughout the years Wyn has been a prolific and tireless supporter of many charities, and was awarded the MBE for his charity work in 1989.

Wyn was born in the Temperance Hotel in Narberth – where a plaque on the wall marks the spot

He regularly returned to his home town to take part in Narberth Civic Week, and join in the fun of the carnival parade.Mayor of Narberth, Clr. Sue Rees paid tribute this week: “It was with great sadness that I heard news that Wyn Calvin has passed away at the grand age of 96. “Narberth will never forget their celebrity citizen the ‘Welsh Prince of Laughter’. “Although Wyn left Narberth as a child of five, he returned often to visit family and never forgot the town he was born in. “He is renowned for all his charitable work and will be remembered for his natural ability to bring fun and laughter into people’s lives. “He was very proud to be a Narberthian, always supported the town whenever he could, and returned ‘home’ at every opportunity. “He was Honorary President of Narberth Civic Week for at least thirty years; I cannot remember a Narberth Civic Service, or a Narberth Carnival Day, when he and his wife Carole did not attend and join in all the fun. “Our most sincere sympathy goes to Carole and all his family. Narberth has lost one of our most loved and famous citizens, but he will always be remembered in our hearts,” she added.