John Grady, 1934 to 2026 - Tributes to legendary Blackpool Grand Theatre figure

The Grand mourns John Grady, former Friends’ Chair and Trustee of Blackpool Grand Theatre Trust, who has died aged 92 after a short illness. For over forty years, he served audiences, volunteers, governance, heritage and archive as a generous colleague and dear friend.

Born in July 1934, John joined The Friends in 1981 as The Grand reopened after being saved from demolition. Beginning as a front-of-house volunteer, by November 1982 he was Vice-Chair, organising its teams.

John served as Volunteer Co-ordinator, committee member and Treasurer, and as a Trustee of Blackpool Grand Theatre Trust Ltd from 2014 to 2026. After thirty-seven years’ service, he succeeded John Buck as Chair of The Friends in February 2018, promising to continue its work, grow membership and support Blackpool’s iconic Grand Theatre.

Current Chair of The Friends of The Grand, Geraldine Porter (who worked alongside John before succeeding him as Chair), said: “John was deeply respected and much loved throughout the community. His genuine interest in people, unwavering commitment to The Grand, and passion for preserving the theatre’s history through his recordings were truly remarkable.

“John’s dedication, kindness and enthusiasm will be remembered with great affection by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be sadly missed by the whole Blackpool theatrical community, and I personally feel the great loss of such a wonderful man.

“The Friends have contributed more than £1.7 million to The Grand over the past 25 years, but John always understood that our legacy is about more than money. It is about people choosing to give their time, skills and care to a theatre they love. John strengthened that tradition immeasurably and leaves us with a duty to carry it forward.”

During John’s time as Chair, The Friends helped purchase the Church Street shops that run underneath and adjacent to the Dress Circle Bar, restoring the original footprint of Frank Matcham’s building and creating a new income stream, and supported developments for auditorium seating and carpets, the canopy and technical equipment.

Under John’s tenure, they backed the £500,000 Arts Council England-supported façade restoration, purchase of new lighting and sound systems, and invested in audience development work with TRG Arts.

hey funded The Grand Young Company’s 2025 Summer Youth Production of Stiles & Drewe’s musical The Wind in the Willows, match-funded the National Lottery Heritage Fund project to restore and improve the comfort of the Gallery, and most recently sponsored Summer Holiday the Musical, The Grand’s co-production with Sheffield Theatres.

Blackpool Grand Theatre Chief Executive Adam Knight said: “John’s remarkable association with The Grand deserves to be celebrated. We often speak about creating a sense of belonging in theatre; John lived that commitment, dedicating his life to supporting The Grand.

“He cared deeply about its future as well as its past, guiding The Friends through significant change while never losing sight of his love for Matcham’s ‘prettiest theatre in the land’, or of the investment needed to protect and maintain it.

“His support was constant: he understood the extraordinary work that happens behind the scenes and never failed to recognise and encourage the people who make it possible. He will be greatly missed by all.”

John’s work will always be remembered. He championed the commissioning of sculptor Graham Ibbeson’s bronze bust of The Friends’ founding member Sir Ken Dodd, unveiling it in the Dress Circle in 2022 alongside Lady Anne Dodd.

He also met Sir Ken around his 90th birthday in 2017, celebrated The Grand’s 125th anniversary, and welcomed Sophie, then Countess of Wessex, in October 2019. In 2023, John marked The Friends’ 50th anniversary with former Grand CEO Danny Moar’s touring production of Noises Off and a vintage tram journey and celebratory dinner at Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s White Tower Restaurant.

He booked speakers, ran coffee mornings, encouraged volunteers and preserved a visual history of The Grand through his films and photographs.

Blackpool Grand Theatre Trust Chair Bryan Lindop paid tribute: “John was a man of great integrity who lived a life of selfless dedication to a cause that we all hold dear,” he said. “He promoted The Grand, fundraised for it and championed it at every opportunity.

“Whenever the Board or the theatre needed something, sometimes with great urgency, he never failed us. I thank him warmly, sincerely and from the heart.”

Former Blackpool Grand Theatre Trust Chair Roger Lloyd Jones said: “I had the privilege of working alongside John for many years, and I came to value not only his sound judgement, but his remarkable constancy. He was dependable in the truest sense of the word.

“If John said he would do something, it was done, properly, quietly and without fuss. The Grand has lost a devoted servant and an exceptional custodian. Many of us have also lost a very dear friend.”

Linda Tolson, who helped save The Grand, later served on its Board and supported the theatre’s heritage archives, said: “Those of us who were involved in saving The Grand know that its survival has always depended on people willing to give their time, knowledge and care. John embodied that spirit.

“He never sought recognition; he simply wanted the theatre to be protected, supported and enjoyed.”

Fellow Committee Member Christine Watkins said: “After his family, the theatre was John’s life. He had been part of the fight to save The Grand, gave decades of devoted service as a committee member, Vice Chairman, Chairman and staunch front-of-house organiser, and even when he was unwell, he spoke not about himself but about how things were at the theatre.

“We are fortunate to have his remarkable video archive, capturing The Grand’s early days, major events, Royal visits, refurbishment projects and early productions. I am proud to have been his friend.”

On his last visit to the theatre, Wednesday 5 August, John had opportunity to watch Summer Holiday the Musical with his daughter Susan, met Friends, Adam Knight CEO and many of the senior leadership team, and turned again to unseen work.

John said: “Most people don’t realise how much work goes into putting on a production like this,” he observed, “as they never understand what goes on behind the scenes.”

Alert, sparky and humorous, John spent his final Sunday evening at Blackpool Victoria Hospital sharing Grand Theatre stories with Roger Lloyd Jones and Adam Knight.

John’s late wife Margaret shared his association with The Friends. Together, they, ran the sweet kiosk in the foyer of The Grand Theatre, serving generations of theatregoers. It was often a real family affair, with their children David, Susan, Mark, and Martin, lending a helping hand with various activities.

John never sought the spotlight but was always at The Grand’s heart: front of house, in the committee room or behind the camera. He gave it his loyalty, friendship and much of his life. The Grand family will remember John Grady with gratitude, admiration and deep affection and our thoughts are with his children, family and friends.

John Grady’s funeral will take place at 12.30pm on Wednesday 9 September at Carleton Crematorium, Stocks Road, Blackpool, FY6 7QS. Friends, colleagues and well-wishers are warmly invited to gather afterwards at his beloved Blackpool Grand Theatre from 1.30pm.

In accordance with John’s wishes, donations in his memory may be made to The Friends of The Grand via the following link: https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/johngrady