Bill Tidy MBE Cartoonist
The UK’s best loved cartoonist Bill Tidy laid down his pen for the last time on March 11th 2023.
Hugely popular and phenomenally talented he was also a successful author, writer, after dinner speaker, and TV and radio presenter.
Renowned for his memorable and hilarious cartoons, his unique wit and breakneck indomitable style created laughter for over 65 years and he amassed many dedicated fans during his life.
Many will remember his truly memorable cartoon strips such as The Fosdyke Saga and The Cloggies.
He had an exceptional and innate ability to tailor highly amusing cartoons to any theme irrespective of the occasion and however sensitive or diverse the subject matter was.
Bill Tidy Obituaries
The obituaries on TV, Radio and in the papers which followed the announcement of his death were many. And the accolades would have made him blush. The local TV station which got his birth and death dates mixed up. That would have made him laugh and undoubtedly draw something on paper, a napkin, a table cloth, a terracotta pot, a wall or anything else that was in reach as the gag pinged into his head.
Bill was also very humble and he became embarrassed when people complimented him. However he would have been secretly absolutely over the moon with the flattering comments offered by so many. Piers Morgan, Tim Rice, Miriam Margoyles, Monty Don were just some of the folk who said lovely things about Bill.
The Daily Mail and the Guardian allong with many other papers covered his passing . Unfortunately The Times and the Telegraph stated incorrectly that Bill's late wife Rosa Tidy was still alive. She passed away on the 24th November 2019.
This website is now maintained by Bill's daughter Sylvia Tidy-Harris.
The Tidy Arms
When Bill created the Tidy Arms original he wanted a run of 150 but sadly he was only ever signed 25 as he was badly affected by the first of two strokes and as a result there are only a few left so if you are interested in purchasing one of these fabulous limited edition prints which include all of his wonderful characters please email sylvia@billtidy.com
This is what Bill said shortly after he created the Tidy Arms in 2019.
"I have always wondered what would happen if all my odd ball characters ever got together so I created the party of all parties at the Tidy Arms and damn it I still couldn’t get them all in.
That’s because I have been drawing cartoon strips and one off gags for over 50 years and at the ripe old age of 84 I am still hard at it thank god. Bet the miserable and bitter art teacher who told me on the first day of college I would never make it as an artist before telling me to leave might think differently now.
Anyhow those who did make it on to this particular Limited Edition Print include The Cloggies (Private Eye) my hard as nails folk dance league champions who danced and made merry hell throughout the afternoon, The Fosdyke Saga family members (Daily Mirror) with Sir Josh, the scion of Tripe and his arch enemy the dastardly Roger Ditchley.
Even the Red Baron made it, turning up fresh from enjoying his WW1 aerial duels with Josh’s son Tom.
St Francis was still talking to his robin, and Noah brought his animals as he continued to ignore his son’s advice about sending a dove. I’m glad to say the mighty Kegbuster turned up to check on the quality of the beer and of course the most famous Polar Bear of all who was still asking for news of the iceberg.
There are too many to mention but I hope you will enjoy seeing who else you can spot in the melee."
“Is there Any News of the Iceberg?”
Said by many to be their favorite cartoon of all time this cartoon was set in the White Star Building in Liverpool in 1912 and here is Bill drawing it only a few years ago on video
Some of Bill's best known cartoons & strips
