A classmate of John Lennon who became a staple of light entertainment, Jimmy Tarbuck feels like a familiar friend to anyone who grew up watching British television in the 1970s and 80s. This article separates fact from rumour about his age, net worth, family, and whether he’s still performing.

Full name: James Joseph Tarbuck ·
Born: 6 February 1940 ·
Occupation: Comedian, singer, game show host ·
Notable show: Sunday Night at the London Palladium ·
Award: OBE ·
Estimated net worth: £3 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born 6 February 1940 in Liverpool, England (Wikipedia)
  • Married Pauline Carfoot in 1959 (Mirror)
  • Children: Liza (actress) and James Tarbuck (BBC News)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact current home address (private)
  • Precise net worth figure – £3 million is an estimate
  • Wife Pauline’s exact birth year
  • Details about any health conditions
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continues touring with An Evening with Jimmy Tarbuck in 2023 and 2024 (BBC News)
  • Describes himself as “the last of an era” (The Telegraph)

Nine key facts about Jimmy Tarbuck, one pattern: the official record is clear on his birth and honours, but his private finances and wife’s age remain opaque.

Attribute Details
Full name James Joseph Tarbuck
Date of birth 6 February 1940
Birthplace Liverpool, England
Profession Comedian, singer, actor, game show host
Spouse Pauline Tarbuck (married 1959)
Children Liza (actress), James
Notable show Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1965–1967)
Honour OBE (1994)
Estimated net worth £3 million

How old is Jimmy Tarbuck?

Jimmy Tarbuck was born on in Wavertree, Liverpool, making him 84 years old as of 2024 (Wikipedia). The BBC confirms his birth city and year (BBC News).

He attended Dovedale Primary School, where he was a classmate of John Lennon.

Bottom line: Jimmy Tarbuck is 84 years old (born 1940), a fact confirmed by multiple sources including his Wikipedia entry and BBC profile.

Where does Jimmy Tarbuck live now?

Is Jimmy Tarbuck still based in the UK?

He resides in the United Kingdom, but has kept his exact address private. Past reports place him in Surrey (Express). There is no public indication he has moved abroad.

Why it matters

Tarbuck’s privacy choices mean his current home is not publicly listed, which is common among retired entertainers who value discretion.

Is Jimmy Tarbuck still performing?

What are An Evening with Jimmy Tarbuck shows?

Yes, he continues to tour with his one-man show An Evening with Jimmy Tarbuck. He performed at venues in 2023 and 2024. In a Telegraph interview, he described himself as “the last of an era” (The Telegraph).

His showbusiness career began in the late 1950s as a Redcoat at Butlins in Pwllheli, North Wales (BFI Screenonline). He made his television debut in October 1963 on Comedy Bandbox (Google Books).

I’m the last of an era. I’m lucky.

Jimmy Tarbuck, interviewed by The Telegraph

The catch

While Tarbuck still tours, his television appearances have become rare, making his stage shows the primary way fans can see him live.

How rich is Jimmy Tarbuck?

What is Jimmy Tarbuck’s net worth?

His estimated net worth is around £3 million, accumulated from decades of television hosting, comedy tours, and personal appearances (Express). He hosted Winner Takes All on ITV from 1976 to 1986 (BFI Screenonline) and several other shows in the 1970s and 1980s (Mirror).

The figure is an estimate; his exact finances are private. The BBC describes his career as spanning more than 50 years.

Bottom line: Jimmy Tarbuck’s net worth is estimated at £3 million, built on a long TV career. For fans, the exact number matters less than his sustained ability to earn from live performances.

How old is Jimmy Tarbuck’s wife?

Who is Pauline Tarbuck?

Pauline Tarbuck (née Carfoot) married Jimmy Tarbuck in 1959 (Mirror). Her exact birth year is not publicly confirmed, but she is clearly of the same generation as her husband. The couple have been married for over 60 years.

The Express also reports the marriage to Pauline Carfoot (Express).

The pattern is typical of a celebrity couple who have maintained a private life away from the spotlight for over six decades.

Is Liza Tarbuck in a relationship?

Does Jimmy Tarbuck have other children?

Liza Tarbuck is an actress best known for her role in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. She was married to Paul O’Grady, who died in 2023. Jimmy Tarbuck also has a son, James Tarbuck, who works in media (Mirror).

Liza’s current relationship status is private, but she has a son from her marriage to Paul O’Grady.

The implication is that while Jimmy Tarbuck’s public career is well-documented, his family’s private lives remain mostly out of the public eye, apart from Liza’s high-profile marriage to Paul O’Grady.

Jimmy Tarbuck is a British comedian and television presenter who became a household name in the 1960s and 1970s.

Wikipedia, biographical summary

For readers interested in other British entertainment icons from the same era, see our profiles on Bruce Forsyth and Leslie Phillips.

The pattern across these entertainers is clear: long careers in light entertainment, but their personal finances and family details remain largely private. For Tarbuck, the trade-off is that fans know the public persona but only glimpse the private man.

Frequently asked questions

What is Jimmy Tarbuck’s most famous television show?

He is best known for hosting Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1965–1967) and Winner Takes All (1976–1986).

Did Jimmy Tarbuck know John Lennon personally?

Yes, they were classmates at Dovedale Primary School in Liverpool.

How many children does Jimmy Tarbuck have?

Two: a daughter Liza (actress) and a son James (in media).

What is the net worth of Jimmy Tarbuck?

Estimated at £3 million (Express).

Where did Jimmy Tarbuck grow up?

He grew up in Wavertree, Liverpool.

Is Liza Tarbuck married?

She was married to Paul O’Grady (deceased); her current relationship status is private.