Hector Nicol

Nicol starred in few shows during his career. His most notable role was that of a dying gangster in the BBC Television play Just a Boys' Game (1979) and also in A Sense of Freedom (1981). He also starred in Take the High Road, a Scottish soap opera.^[2]

Nicol wrote and sang "The Hearts Song" for Hearts, and "Glory, Glory to the Hibees" for Hibs. He also wrote and sang "The Terrors of Tannadice" for Dundee United, "Dark Blue Of Dundee" for Dundee and "The Morton Song" for Greenock Morton. However, he actually supported St Mirren F.C.. His 1984 album, Bravo Juliet!, reached number 92 for one week in the UK Albums Chart.^[3]

Nicol's influence was important on Scotland's more recent crop of comedians including Billy Connolly, Des Clarke and Elaine C. Smith.^[4] Other famous people who have stated they are fans of Hector include Sean Connery, John Barrowman and Tommy Sheridan.

Nicol married Delina (Lena) P. Sweetman in 1948 and they had three sons together, two of whom died tragically. One choked to death while eating, while another was murdered in a senseless attack.^[1] Stephen Nicol, age 19, was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old boy at a bus stop in Edinburgh on 8 June 1973. At trial, it was revealed that the perpetrator, George Riddell, was not motivated by any greed or anger, but had simply decided to stab someone. David Brand, Lord Brand sentenced Riddell to indefinite detention for the murder of Stephen Nicol, who had suffered from a chronic illness.^[5] Nicol nearly left the entertainment business after his son's murder.^[1]

Nicol, who suffered from angina, died at his home in Edinburgh, at the age of 64.^[1][6] He was survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Lena (1922–2013) and his one surviving son.