THIRTY years after the death of one of radio's biggest stars, described as 'the eternal schoolboy', co-star and 'radio sister' Diana Day remembers the Clitheroe Kid.

Fondly known to thousands as Susan 'scraggy neck', Herefordshire-born Diana Day spent more than 16 years making the trek to Manchester every Sunday to perform alongside Jimmy Clitheroe.

The former child star's big break came at the age of 12 when she appeared as Jackie, leader of the fourth form in the 1954 film, 'the Belles of St Trinians' with Alistair Sim and George Cole.

Now known as Diana Jager and living in the city, she has spoken about the very private man who was the inspiration for performers such as the Krankies and slapstick situation comedy based on the 'carry-on' style.

Describing her co-star's wit and style very much as 'that lovely North country humour' Diana remembered auditioning for the radio series by sight-reading a script with Jimmy.

She berated herself all the way home because she thought that she had 'blown it' but to all involved, it was obvious there was a spark between the pair.

"Jimmy was a super person - he was lovely, we got on very well and he, Danny (Danny Ross, who played Susan's boyfriend, Alfie) and I were terrible gigglers.

"One of the scripts would start going and sometimes it would be so difficult to stop," Diana laughed.

She explained how producer, Jim Casey would have to stop them all for a tea-break because they found the show so funny.

She added: "We worked together for 16 years so in the end it almost felt like we were a family."

Not only was Jimmy the godfather of Diana's daughter Melanie, he also attended various functions with the family.

Once, when Diana's son Nicholas was still a boy and the same size as Jimmy (who never grew taller than 4'3") he admired Nicholas' suit and asked if he could pass it on when he'd finished with it!

Dreadful news

Diana was on a cruise in the Mediterranean when she heard the shocking news of her friend's death in 1973.

He was found unconscious on the morning of his mother's funeral and died the same day. An inquest concluded it was due to an accidental overdose of sleeping pills.

"He must have been so down," Diana said. "A few years before he lost his friend and assistant Sally who died in a car crash."

She explained Sally would chauffeur Jimmy around because he got so fed up being stopped by police.

"One of the last times I saw him was in pantomime in Bristol, I could see he was nervous. He dragged me on stage and he would not let go of my hand.

"I could feel he was quite needy. Life in show business is quite lonely. His mother was always in his life - she was so important to him," said Diana.

Now after nearly 30 years out of the spotlight, Diana hopes to get back into acting and with the prospect of a part in a re-make of the St Trinians' film, Diana appears to have come a full circle.

But she will never forget her 'radio' brother who 'tormented' her for so many years. So much so she named her youngest son James after the Clitheroe Kid.