Clews was born in Senglea on the 27th September 1919. He was educated at the Lyceum and at the Dockyard Technical College as an Engine Fitter Apprentice. During Second World War II Charles and some friends formed a Concert Troupe, which performed comical shows to the workers at the Dockyard. The Naval Authorities approved these shows as they heightened the morale of the workers during such difficult time. These shows were becoming increasingly popular and encouraged by many spectators, Clews together with his friends formed Stage Commandos Variety Company and started giving shows in the theatres all over Malta. With “Radio Muskettiere” which he co-founded in 1945, Clews introduced a new kind of humorous show and a novel kind comedy sit-com for Cable Radio. These series’ were very popular with the Maltese. Clews had two successful tours to Australia in 1964 and in 1984 where they had shows in Sydney. He left the Dockyard in 1964 and started his career as a journalist and contributing a humorous column to a local newspaper for several years. He is the author of booklets of a humorous nature in Maltese and of great number of scripts for radio, comedies and sketches, and songs for the stage. Clews was chairman of the Board of Film and Stage Censors’ (1955-58; 1971-87) and a member during 1971-87. The Broadcasting Authority presented him with a trophy for long service on Stage and Radio in 1998.
Clews is married to Anne Pavia and they had eight children.