Robb Wilton
Robb Wilton was born Robert Wilton Smith on 28 August 1881 in Liverpool, England. He became a well-known comedian and actor and died on 1 May 1957 in Liverpool at age 75.
He was famous for filmed monologues in the 1930s and 1940s in which he played clumsy, self-important authority figures. His trademark was rubbing his face and fiddling with props at the punchline, delivered in a dry Lancashire accent. His humour came from the everyday absurdity of life.
Wilton started as a villain in melodramas, but by 1909 he was touring music halls as a comedian. He belonged to the English music hall tradition and was a contemporary of Frank Randle and George Formby, Sr.
One of his best-loved characters was Mr Muddlecombe JP, an inept local justice of the peace from Nether Backwash. The catchphrase “You shouldn’t have done that!” and the line “Ee, what a to-do!” were popular. The BBC radio show Mr Muddlecombe JP began in 1937 and ran for several series, ending in 1948.
He also did a famous Home Guard routine about the day war broke out and a fire station sketch where the officer can’t quite remember where the fire is. During World War II, he was one of Britain’s top radio comedians, alongside Tommy Handley, and he influenced later stars like Ken Dodd and Les Dawson. Jeffrey Richards even called him an influence on Dad’s Army.
Wilton performed stand-up and wrote many of his own scripts. He had jokes about everyday life, such as a pub drink ordering gag.
In film, his first appearance was The Fire Brigade (1928) in the Phonofilm process. He acted in several films from 1934 onward, mainly in supporting roles. His last film was The Love Match (1955).
He was a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats and served as King Rat in 1947.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 04:22 (CET).