SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Peter O'Toole who lived in Leeds from about 3 months of age died in the last few days.He lived in Hunslet and his Mother worked at the GPO in Leeds.Controversy about where he was born but Peter said he had two birth certificatesOne Irish the other English. Peter at one point worked at the Yorkshire Evening Postas a trainee journalist before the acting bug got hold of him.Loved him in Lawrence of Arabia, but my favourite was What's New Pussycat.That's a film to watch if you are feeling depressed as you cant stop laughing.

My brother has pointed out also that he went to our old school Hunslet Carr Primary.

Very interesting this. His full name is Peter James O'Toole,and he said that his date of birth was 2nd August 1932.There is a birth registered Leeds North in 1932,quarter Jul Aug Sep, of a Peter J O 'Toole, mothers maiden name Ferguson.O'Tooles mother was called Constance Jane Eliot Ferguson (note the maiden name of the mother in the above birth registration.His father was a Patrick Joseph O' Toole.There was a marriage registered Leeds North 1930 ,quarter Jul Aug Sep of a Patrick J O'Toole and a Constance J E Ferguson.It appears that the couple had a daughter Patricia R registered at Leeds North in quater Oct Nov Dec 1930.He staed that he had 2 birth certificates,one Irish dated June 1932 and one English. If indeed his date of birth was 2nd August 1932 then he must have been born in Leeds.

I heard his best performance was in the stage play of Geoffrey Bernard is unwell.By Keith Waterhouse.Pic below of them both below. Hunslet lads (?) made good.    

In the YEP article it said Quote: It is not known whether Seamus Peter O’Toole was born in Leeds or Dublin on August 2, 1932, but his upbringing was certainly in Leeds where he attended a Catholic school but renounced religion at the age of 15. but ... that was the YEP ...!!

Ian R PUserLocation: Beeston, LeedsJoined on: 19-May-2007 23:02:51Posted: 57 postsPosted on: 14-Jun-2007 13:53:29. QuoteDon't think this one is covered anywhere else on the site ( sorry if it is ) but does anyone know of any places in the city where famous people were born or lived.Peter O'Toole lived from an early age at a house on Dewsbury Terrace just off Dewsbury Road, which is now demolished but would have been roughly where the grass is opposite The Spinning Wheel Club on Dewsbury Road, and I once heard Ernie Wise in an interview say he was born in a house on Oxford St ( maybe Oxley St ) off of Pontefract Lane LS9

We've lost some great actors recently, but I had no idea that Peter O'Toole was a Leeds lad until I spotted this thread. RIP Peter.

Peter O'Toole attended St Anne's Primary school in Leeds.

I believe I read somewhere that it was the Yorkshire Evening News that he worked on. I also read somewhere that he knew all the words to the Hunslet RL anthem "We've swept the seas before boys!" I've only ever hear this song sung once at the old Parkside ground in the sixties, I wonder if anyone on here recalls the words.

majorhoundii wrote: I believe I read somewhere that it was the Yorkshire Evening News that he worked on. I also read somewhere that he knew all the words to the Hunslet RL anthem "We've swept the seas before boys!" I've only ever hear this song sung once at the old Parkside ground in the sixties, I wonder if anyone on here recalls the words. Try "You Tube" Major. From what I can gather there aren't many more words to it apart from repeating. "and so we shall again". Apparently it was originally a Russian folk song. Hope this is some help to you.