Buck Ryan
Ruggles
Just Jake
Belinda (and her friend Suki)
Garth (and Professor Lumiere - "zut alors!", "mon dieu")
Jane (always losing her clothes, with her little Daschund, Fritz.
Jimpy (strange character who wore a sort of top hat)
Pip, Squeak and Wilfred (A penguin and two others. What were they?)
Mr, Digwell (Factual gardening hints)

That was pretty much the actual lineup down the page of a full page of cartoon strips that used to appear in the Daily Mirror circa 1950. The Perishers came in and replaced one of the above a little later. Andy Capp by Reg Smythe used to have a one off "single frame" cartoon when he first started. Later promoted to a strip. There was also an Andy Capp Annual at one time. (His wife's name was "Flo".)
The racing tipsters nicknames at the time were "Newsboy" and "Bouverie". Other columnists of note were - sports - Peter Wilson, "The Man They Couldn't Gag". William Connor ("Cassandra"), - controversial libel case with the pianist Liberace. ("I laughed all the way to the bank") emanated from his winning this case. Political cartoonist was "Vicky", (Victor Weisz) who invented "Supermac". Harold MacMillan in a Superman outfit.
Daily Sketch was main rival to the Mirror at that time with similar content but a little more downmarket (more pin ups).
Daily Sketch of the time introduced now famous cartoon strip "Peanuts" to Britain, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and Snoopy the dog. Soon after came hit record by the Coasters - "Charlie Brown". (also Snoopy v. the Red Baron). (Are you listening, Fox?) Daily Sketch star journalist was Noel Whitcomb.
Daily Mail (or was it Daily Herald) featured a cartoon strip "Flook" by Trog. Strange creature half human , half hedgehog. (At one time, George Melly the portly jazz singer had a hand in this column.
"The People" star reporter was a man called Hannen Swaffer and the Sunday Pictorial had Donald Zec, a journalist who transferred to the Daily Mirror later amongst much hoo hah and fanfare. Did a memorable interview with Jane Mansfield when she was married to Mickey Hargitay (Mr. Universe or similar) and when she had a heart shaped swimming pool.
News of the World had a star investigative reporter whose name escapes me now. (Duncan? Stuart? Something - McKenzie maybe?). Always investigating vice cases when the Messina Brothers from Malta were running the show, pretending to be a punter for the favours of vice girls, then leaving at the crucial point of contact (but not before a lurid description of the girls dialogue, underwear, etc.) with the immortal words (same every week!), "I made an excuse and left."
All the above straight off the top off my head, no research and if any of its wrong - tough! Its over fifty years ago.
Extracts by kind permission of "the Weird Brain of William Brown", or "I was a child newspaper lurker."
I hope that lot rings some bells with some of you. (Some posted before but Col. Bloodnock should enjoy it.
P.S. I'm still looking for the name of that News of the World reporter.

Thanks, Col. but not on any medication yet, only alcohol.
You've actually reminded me of one I'd forgotten - "The Flutters". I remember the name well but alas, I cannot recall the detail of this one. Was it the Mirror or one of the Sunday papers?
Your sporting Reg - sorry, don't recall this one.
I remember Giles (Daily Express) and Gamage's Bargain Basement (Sunday Mirror?)
Also "Spotlight on Sally" and "The Dumb Blonde" by Arthur Ferrier (News of the World).
Oh and by the way - "Jane" series was Glynis Barber - pathetic! Christabel Leighton Porter was the original. (Used to appear on the halls and was the model for Norman Pett, the artist.

Thanks, Mr.T. Didn't know the original artist was from Cardiff either.
Ronald Searle was a prisoner of war of the Japanese for a couple of years which perhaps explains the rather dark slant in some of his original cartoons.
Yes, Thelwell used to have a Christmas Annual like Giles. Usually just a paperback special edition. Wasn't it called "My Little Pony" or am I mixing it up with a little toy animal for girls, or did they both have the same name?
Also remember "Bengo, the Boxer Puppy", by Tim, Daily Express. This one used to be on BBC TV when I first had it in 1953. He was Italian and spoke with quite a broad accent. THere was a thread about him on here before I joined and I believe his neice wrote a post about him.
Also just recalled another Daily Sketch cartoon, "Blondie" by Chic Young. There's been a "Film" thread about this lady (Penny Singleton) and her screen husband "Dagwood Bumstead". (Arthur Lake).
While I'm dredging them up, also remember Dick Tracy and Rip Kirby (both detective strips). Can't recall exactly which papers, Daily Express and Daily Herald I think.
P.S. Re Sporting Sam. Yes Col., now that I've seen him I do remember him. He used to be syndicated to the "Western Mail" back in the fifties.

It was Arthur Ferrier's "Spotlight on Sally" that corrupted my seven year old brain. (I still haven't sent him that "thankyou" letter.)
P.S. Much more recent but now gone from my memory. What was the girl's name who used to be the subject of a cartoon strip, possibly originally in the Evening Standard (but not sure of this), later syndicated to the "Observer". She was a sexy type with glasses. Her name (first and second name) was the title of the cartoon strip. I can only remember the artist who I think was John Kent? I would think late sixties but don't quote me on that. Reward for this one!