Claude Powell (died 19th September 2010 in Blackpool) appeared on Coronation Street in two minor roles: in September 1982 as a man who decided against having his car fixed by Brian Tilsley, and in June 1989 he appeared as the Committee Chairman at the meeting of the council's Planning Department.
He was born in Manchester, Jamaica in 1933 and came over to the UK in 1954. Having been a chef in his native country, he gained a job in steelworks in Sheffield but his life took a different trajectory when he was in the Albion public house in Spital Hill, Sheffield when he was asked by a pianist to provide a song. The landlord was so impressed that he booked him to sing for another five nights. He quickly became established as "Mr Smoothie" and sang at one point at the London Palladium. From 1988, he and his wife ran a Blackpool guest house while continuing to perform at both home and abroad.
