Tributes as Roly Poly Mo dies at 87
Dancer found fame with Les Dawson
Tributes have been paid to Mo Moreland – one of the lead dancers of comedy troupe the Roly Polys – after her death at 87.
The gang of middle-aged women were best known for their appearances alongside Les Dawson in the 1980s and 1990s.
After Moreland’s death at a nursing home in Blackpool was reported, Dawson's widow Tracy said: ‘She was a pocket rocker who did so much.
‘Mo was always holding my hand and by my side when I was nervous at events. When Les passed away she was with me all the way and helped bring up [their daughter] Charlotte. She was wonderful.’
Charlotte, a reality TV star in her own right, revealed tha Moreland had been suffering from Alzheimer’s.
She wrote: ‘My Mo, my beautiful Mo has sadly passed away but very peacefully on Friday. For those who don’t know Mo, she has been suffering with Alzheimer’s for the last 10 years in a home…. What an icon, what a woman, what a talent.’
She added: ‘You were a massive part of my life & I’m so happy I have so many incredible memories!!’
Comic Syd Little, 81, said: ‘She was not just a dancer, she was a comedian’. while Jimmy Cricket paid tribute on social media:
Hi friends sadden to hear of the passing of a great stage trouper Mo Moreland whom I first met as one half of 'The Mighty Atom and Roy'. Mo was a great comic/singer/dancer who fronted the amazing
— Jimmy Cricket (@jimmy__cricket) December 17, 2023
'THE ROLY POLYS' - Tap Dance "Anything Goes" https://t.co/5HZQ6GG6vA via @YouTube pic.twitter.com/PPlA9iasHB
Trained at the Italia Conti Academy, 4ft 11in Moreland performed as The Mighty Atom before finding success with the Roly Polys. They also appeared on TV shows such as Blankety Blank, Bullseye and Game For A Laugh.
Published: 20 Dec 2023
