English television presenter and comedian , Jim Bowen, Died at 80

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James Whittaker was born Peter Williams on August 20, 1937, in Heswall, Wirral, Cheshire and died on March 14, 2018.

He was an English stand-up comedian and TV personality, after an earlier career as a schoolteacher.

James Whittaker was the long-time host of the ITV game show Bullseye, which he hosted from its beginning in September 1981 until the end of its 14th series in July 1995.

Peter was adopted by Joe and Annie Whittaker of Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire (who changed his name to James Whittaker).

Jim Bowen was educated at Accrington Grammar School in Lancashire and Chester Diocesan Training College.

Bowen was 15 when he worked as a dustman in Burnley and then trained as a PE teacher at schools in Lancashire, before becoming a deputy headmaster of Caton Primary School near Lancaster.

Bowen married his work colleague in 1959, her name is Phyllis.

Phyllis supported him throughout his career, driving him to shows, and they remained together until his death.

The couple had two children, Susan and Peter.

Previously, he owned Arkholme for Kirkby Lonsdale railway station, on what is now the Leeds to Morecambe Line between Wennington and Carnforth stations.

Having been turned into a private dwelling, it featured under Bowen’s ownership on the TV programme Through the Keyhole.

It was announced that Bowen was recovering in the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, after having suffered from two mild strokes, on 22 February 2011

Bowen suffered his first stroke on 18 February and the second one whilst in hospital.

Pirior to his two strokes, Bowen was performing on cruise liners and doing corporate after-dinner speeches.

Bowen was recovering and regaining some mobility once more in 2012, e, and even started performing his stage show “You Can’t Beat a Bit of Bully”, but suffered a third stroke in November 2014, which left him struggling to walk and talk.

He was a supporter of Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

He died on 14 March 2018, aged 80