to charity. Magician David Nixon wore his while appearing on television, explaining that as current King Rat he could be fined by any other member who saw him on screen without it. There is also a small number of Companion Rats, distinguished men from various fields of business and influence who are not performers but who have achieved recognition for their support and friendship of the Order. These include Bob Potter OBE, the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, King Charles III and Prince Michael of Kent. King Rats The first King Rat, who is the head of the charity, was the music hall singer Harry Freeman. The comedian Dan Leno joined in 1890 and was King Rat in 1891, 1892 and 1897. The post is usually held for one year. Previous King Rats include: 1890 Harry Freeman 1891 Dan Leno 1892 Dan Leno 1893 Wal Pink 1894 Joe Elvin 1895 J. W. Cragg 1896 Eugene Stratton 1897 Dan Leno 1898 Joe O'Gorman (senior) 1899 Paul Martinetti 1900 Eugene Stratton 1901 Joe O'Gorman 1902 Wal Pink 1903 Fred Russell 1904 Tom McNaughton 1905 Arthur Reece 1906 Little Tich 1907 J. Allison 1908 W. H. Clemart 1909 Fred Ginnett 1910 C. Warren 1911 Harry Tate 1912 Charles Austin 1913 Charles Austin 1914 Fred Russell 1915 William Bankier 1916 Lew Lake 1917 Lew Lake 1918 Charles Austin 1919 William Bankier 1920 Deane Tribune 1921 George D'Albert World Upheaval – Lodge suspended until 1927 1927 Charles Austin 1928 Charles Austin 1929 Fred Russell 1930 Talbot O'Farrell 1931 Will Hay 1932 Charles Austin 1933 Joe Morrison 1934 Will Fyffe 1935 Marriott Edgar 1936 George Wood 1937 Stanley Damerell 1938 Fred Miller 1939 Fred Russell 1940 Will Hay 1941 John Sharman 1942 George Jackley 1943 Tom Moss 1944 George Doonan 1945 Bud Flanagan 1946 Teddy Brown (died) / Bud Flanagan 1947 Robb Wilton 1948 Albert Whelan 1949 Ted Ray 1950 Ted Ray 1951 Bud Flanagan 1952 Charlie Chester 1953 Ben Warriss 1954 George Elrick 1955 Tommy Trinder 1956 Dave O'Gorman 1957 Cyril Dowler 1958 Clarkson Rose 1959 Johnny Riscoe 1960 Arthur Scott 1961 Ben Warriss 1962 Ben Warriss 1963 Tommy Trinder 1964 Ted Ray 1965 Tommy Trinder 1966 Arthur Haynes 1967 Terry Cantor 1968 Frankie Vaughan 1969 Harry Seltzer 1970 Phil Hindin 1971 George Martin 1972 Albert Stevenson 1973 George Elrick 1974 Cyril Dowler 1975 Joe Church 1976 David Nixon 1977 David Nixon 1978 Donald