Tributes as radio's 'Slanny on the Tranny' dies at 72
TRIBUTES have been paid to a successful businessman who became a star in the region after participating in a long-running series of radio adverts.
Grandfather-of-three Barry Slann, of Werrington, lost his spirited battle with cancer at the age of 72 last week.
Known for his furniture and decorating stores the father-of-two also became a household name following his frequent appearances on adverts with the catchphrase 'Slanny on the tranny'.
Now his sons Lyndon and Hartley have paid tribute to their dad.
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Lyndon, aged 48, who runs Cliff Vale-based Easycorp UK Ltd with his brother, said: "Everyone I have told about dad passing away have all commented what a character he was. Although he was heavily involved with running a business, family was always his first priority."
On leaving Moorside High School Barry was employed as an apprentice at Byatt's car dealership in Fenton.
After completing his apprenticeship he advanced to commercial sales manager before realising his entrepreneurial ambitions. He became a familiar face in the region's markets where he sold spares for vacuum cleaners before turning carpet pieces into car mats.
Barry then became more interested in selling carpets and opened a retail warehouse in Milton, with another shop in Bucknall.
And that spelt the beginning of his empire. At the peak of his success he ran additional shops in Tunstall, Newcastle and Hanley where he sold homeware, furniture and carpets.
Father-of-two Lyndon, who lives in Brassington with wife Michelle, aged 39, said: "I started working on the markets with him when I was about eight and eventually became managing director of the business. We used to call him the 'Duracell Bunny' because he was always active."
Father-of-one Hartley, aged 51, of Yarnfield, said: "We had a joke about me working with dad as I'd quit or he'd sack me and I would go back before I went to work as a commercial production.
"He was always very determined and his phrase was 'everything is up for negotiation'."
Barry retired in 2005 when he closed the doors on the Clough Street-based Slann's Homestore.
But the legacy of his adverts which appeared on Signal Radio lived on.
Lyndon, who also starred in the adverts, said: "People would shout to us in shops and pubs. On one occasion dad was in the supermarket, someone overheard his voice and asked, 'Are you Slanny on the tranny?'."
Hartley, who lives with wife Laura, aged 37, added: "He had a really fun personality and you always knew where you stood with him."
Away from business Barry, who also leaves wife Norma, was a fan of horses and was a member of the Moorlands Harness Driving Club.
On Saturday his coffin will be drawn by a horse. The ceremony will take place at Carmountside Crematorium from 10.30am.
Donations should be made to the Douglas Macmillan Hospice. Cash can also be given online at www.justgiving.com/barry-slann.
Comments
by LyndonSlann
Sunday, September 23 2012, 11:27AM
“The family of Barry would like to that everyone that attended his funeral yesterday, we we astonished at the large number and humbled by the kinds words given.
He would have been pleased that we tried to inject some humour into his final moment in front of a crowd, it was his wish that we should celebrate not cry and Hartleys words did just that, reminiscing and remembering moments in our lifes that caused ripples of chuckles throughout the Chapel.
His last days were spent in the Dougie Mac and the care that he received was absolutely fantastic, we are raising money to try to put a little back and if you would like to help please go to http://tinyurl.com/968hbb7 send a donation directly to the Dougie Mac or even give them any unwanted house hold items for them to sell via their local charity shops or eBay site.
Once again, many thanks to everyone who attended and those that could not but contacted us with their condolences.
Lyndon.”
by camband
Thursday, September 20 2012, 8:46PM
“Geddit? It's in their 'Headline -uncensored...... but not allowed to by used by you or me -or anyone else..... On the Comment's Page.
Let's try this one ...smegma.”
by camband
Thursday, September 20 2012, 8:43PM
“Tributes as radio's 'Slanny on the ******' dies at 72".
There you are, that's how you get rid of the asterisks. I just cut and pasted the Sentinel's own headline above.
That's how daft the 'monitoring' of strange exotic words is. Never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
by KylePark
Thursday, September 20 2012, 1:27PM
“I can't believe the filter is cutting out the second part of his catchphrase. For God's sake it's short for transistor radio.”
by KylePark
Thursday, September 20 2012, 1:20PM
“Slanny on the ****** = Legend.
RIP the Slann man”
by camband
Thursday, September 20 2012, 10:37AM
“I wonder if this is the same bloke -a real character, who was 'here there and everywhere' -on first the the Jazz club scene of the late 50s/early 60s -and then The Place' during the swinging sixties?
If it is him -which from the description of him above, is most likely, then yes, I myself can vouch for the fact that we've lost one of the 'colourful characters' that 'perk up the potteries'.
RIP”