Jimmy Batten - V R Bennett

Born in the poverty stricken, and crime filled streets of post war London's East End. Jimmy rose above all odds to claw his way out of the burdens laid on his feet, At 12 he became the UK schoolboy Champion, he never lost a fight for 3 years, turning pro he fought for and won the British Welterweight title, winning the Lonsdale Belt outright. Boxing in America, he was diagnosed with a brain bleed and aneurisms and told not to continue boxing or he would die. He kept this secret hanging over him like the sword of Damaclese whist being hit by, and knocking out, the worlds toughest fighters. When unable to remember where he was in the ring his secret was out. Undeterred when the boxing door slammed in his face he took speech therapy and acting lessons and went into film and TV. When he lost his way home from the film set he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Profoundly deaf in both ears he took singing lessons and bought the best hearing aids he could and became a singer compere/comedian. Now touring for the benefit of old people who he entertains in their old peoples homes, whilst working for children's charities. His inspirational motto is "You win some you lose some but you never give in"