The Resume

(May 18, 1913-April 26, 1976)
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa
Birth name was Sidney Joel Cohen
Starred in the British TV series 'Hancock's Half Hour' (1954-60), 'Citizen James' (1960-62) and 'Bless This House' (1971-76)
Appeared in 19 'Carry On' films (1960-74)
Also appeared in 'The Small Back Room' (1949), 'The Lavender Hill Mob' (1951), 'Lady Godiva Rides Again' (1951) and 'Quartermass 2' (1956)

Why he might be annoying:

He was the preferred choice of Ian Fleming to play James Bond, but he turned down the part out of fear of being typecast.
Instead, he made the 'Carry On' films and was typecast as a dirty old man.
Almost all the characters he played were named Sid or Sidney.
He was a chronic gambler who borrowed money from friends and never repaid them.
He was constantly in debt to the British tax authorities.
His ghost allegedly haunts the Sunderland Empire theatre where he died.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was nicknamed 'One Take James.'
He was let go from the last season of 'Hancock's Half Hour' because he was drawing more laughs than star Tony Hancock.
Thom Yorke of Radiohead keeps a picture of James on his piano.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 04]
• Carry On [Series]
• I Died During the Run of My TV Series
• I Died in 1976 (Ranked: 62)
• I Died While Performing
• I Have a Unique Laugh
• I Need to Place a Wager
• I Portrayed Henry VIII
• Look at Me, I'm Wearing a Bow Tie
• My TV Character Shares My Name
• Profiles 20251-20500 (Ranked: 20360)
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 19760426)

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 210 Votes: 53.81% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 104 Votes: 60.58% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 215 Votes: 41.40% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 273 Votes: 46.52% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 10 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 23 Votes: 52.17% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 130 Votes: 48.46% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 55 Votes: 61.82% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 71 Votes: 40.85% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 35 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 59 Votes: 57.63% Annoying