David Tynan O'Mahoney better known as Dave Allen, was an Irish comedian, popular in Britain and Australia in the 1960s and 1970s. His act was typified by a very relaxed, intimate style — he would sit on a chair, smoking and holding a glass of whisky — and would often make jokes about the Catholic church. Along with his seated stand-up routines, his television shows were interspersed with sketch comedy. He had a lasting influence on British comedy, and influenced many 21st century British comedians, such as Mark Thomas.Born in Firhouse, Dublin, Ireland, the son of Cully Tynan O'Mahoney, managing editor of the Irish Times, and an English mother, he left school aged 16 and followed his father into journalism. He joined the Drogheda Argus as a copy-boy, and went to London aged 19. He drifted through a series of jobs before becoming a Butlins Redcoat at Skegness and hosting pop music shows. He changed his surname to Allen because so few people could pronounce "O'Mahoney" correctly. In 1964 he married actress Judith Stott, whom he met in Australia. The marriage ended in divorce in 1983. Their son, Ed Allen, is also a comedian. Allen lost the tip of one finger, possibly in a car accident. However, he told many, differing stories as to how it actually happened.  continue reading