Tickey the Clown

Tickey the Clown (1916-1988) was a circus performer for more than 50 years and perhaps South Africa's best known clown.

Named "Tickey" because of his diminutive stature, he was born Eric Hoyland in Yorkshire, England and began working alongside his father as a coal miner at the age 14. Then joined the circus.

He came to South Africa in 1933 for what was to be a 6-month tour, and stayed on. Began with a trampoline act for Boswell's Circus and became a reluctant clown when he was thrust, fully made-up, into the circus ring by the management.

His (auto?*)biography *** was published in 198* by **.

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