Tiny Ted the midget

Hello,

In the book "Parrot and Olivier in America" by Peter Carey which I am translating, I came across the following text:



"It was our sensitive friend exhibited in his monstrosity. The lights brightened and there he stood, alone, uncomforted, a paintbrush in his hand. Some lout laughed, and then the audience took refuge in a certain hush of horror.

But he was not Tiny Ted the midget or the lady with three legs. He was Algernon Watkins, an artist of the first degree, and as the idiot audience shouted its amazement or upset, I bawled out my rage against it all."

Context: Parrot went to Mr. Eckerd's theatre. The performance has nothing to do with art. Mr. Eckerd exhibits a cripple here - Mr. Watkins, a painter and engraver, who was seriously burnt during a big fire. Parrot doesn't like it.

What does Parrot mean when he says he wasn't "Tiny Ted the midget"? Why is "Tiny Ted" written with capitals? Is it a name of a famous character?

Thanks for your help.