photos from the lost world of british light entertainment

The GENeration Game.

this thread rules

https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/08/benny_hill-300x300.jpg

https://televisionheaven.co.uk/assets/sez_les_004-1584277477.jpg

https://editorial01.shutterstock.com/wm-preview-1500/160596b/925c5a86/wedding-of-les-dawson-and-tracey-roper-at-lytham-st-annes-britain-jul-1989-shutterstock-editorial-160596b.jpg

https://i2-prod.southportvisiter.co.uk/incoming/article10580879.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200c/LESDENNIS.jpg

https://editorial01.shutterstock.com/wm-preview-1500/5894146a/d2c07b4e/the-end-of-television-programme-opportunity-knocks-presenter-hughie-green-with-some-of-the-stars-who-gained-success-on-the-tv-talent-show-peters-lee-tony-holland-neil-martin-bernie-flint-duane-family-millican-nesbitt-freddie-parrot-face-shutterstock-editorial-5894146a.jpg

https://televisionheaven.co.uk/assets/look_mike_yarwood_003.jpg

the forensically bad impressionist

"Millican & Nesbitt are a British vocal duo, comprising Alan Millican and Tom Nesbitt." What, they're still alive!?!?! GTF!

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wYixwjlvOw/WQRIdX39exI/AAAAAAAACW4/d54wjJKekHM3dtv-nPrqPejlZJqe6xkNgCLcB/s1600/XXX-328689.jpg

https://editorial01.shutterstock.com/wm-preview-1500/9131195a/e0ac7d56/ventriloquist-roger-de-courcey-right-and-nookie-bear-winners-of-the-tv-talent-show-new-faces-box-762-805061711-a-jpg-shutterstock-editorial-9131195a.jpg

xp
big collars ... big cohonies! They remind of a time when park bench alcoholics still dressed in suits!

I was going through an interesting google image search wormhole related to this thread that led me to pics of Jayne Mansfield hanging out in the Batley Frontier club.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/616JM5ZNiuL._AC_.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/0C-BIccykzQUYaYed4BSzZUfZK4RC6Dj1BvGQZXlSCRvFxOL3i8KB1If619MA999aJPYtGaIHLEP28szJsktMg1ohndz2-zVB5Mf2xZvi88b1d1QEQ

https://archivetvmusings.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/paul-84-03.jpg

Paul Daniels Christmas special where he attempts to teach Robert Maxwell the art of making a million quid disappear, such hubris from the novice.

https://img.discogs.com/-N1n_KMdGJS6905sdfDV_P_gMYc=/fit-in/600x624/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5676311-1399644403-7077.jpeg.jpg

it's comforting that some of these guys are still around, and embracing new technology

you can get a personalised video message from Freddie "Parrot-Face" Davies for £30 on Cameo : https://www.cameo.com/funnybones?qid=1623712897

The Bachelors have been doing performances via Zoom during lockdown

https://i.imgur.com/wAtXnfp.jpg

The Bachelors' website has a huge archive of photos of them with pretty much every light-entertainment person you can think of http://www.thebachelors.co.uk/index.htm

http://www.tvcream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/1980.jpg

https://c8.alamy.com/comp/A1WGAX/jimmy-clitheroe-and-danny-ross-A1WGAX.jpg

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/english-comedian-jimmy-clitheroe-dressed-as-a-school-boy-balancing-on-picture-id481560067?s=2048x2048

https://worstmoviesevermade.com/wp-content/media/2014/07/wheeltappers-shunters_crop.jpg

the search results for 'the clitheroe kid' on getty images features a picture of Ian Brady halfway through https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/the-clitheroe-kid

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discogs.com%2FJimmy-Edwards-Jimmy-Edwards-At-The-Top-Of-The-Pubs%2Frelease%2F5726720&psig=AOvVaw0SQ_1zrGTLAAVByoYyX7SH&ust=1623831503086000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCJjKtfGZmfECFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

https://img.discogs.com/s6df7OgLhOIsMYcBptuFWrVOBPg=/fit-in/600x586/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5726720-1432645463-8038.jpeg.jpg

I'm guessing that's not the Joe Henderson who recorded for Blue Note - but I wish it was!

That Batchelors site is amazing mix of period detail, such as


People queued around the block in London to see 'The Bachelors Show' causing Traffic Jams in Victoria. the Bachelors did a 4 Month Season at The Victoria Theatre in London when 'The Black and White Minstral Show' was taken off due to a Labour Government ruling that the price of an existing product could not be increased.

Was trying to work out when they last had a hit record… 67/68?

Leapy Lee looks like a hoot.

lol was about to post Joe Henderson eh?

relevant twitter account

The divine Diana Dors, 'Please Sir's Carol Hawkins and Liz Gebhardt, and Olive from 'On The Buses'. pic.twitter.com/OTmZW91Gn4

— Who's Lionel With Today? (@WhoLionel) September 14, 2018

A Freddie Mercury impersonator,Kerry Katona, Brain May/Jim Baines off Crossroads and Big Heather from Eastenders. pic.twitter.com/ArKYjr5iJR

— Who's Lionel With Today? (@WhoLionel) February 17, 2019

Remembering the laughs with Prince Philip and Dickie Davies! pic.twitter.com/qPe7yrXbJe

— Who's Lionel With Today? (@WhoLionel) April 9, 2021

Yes, Lionel Blair is still alive.

dickie davies, too

Maybe one for the 'Horrible 70s stars of BBC light entertainment album titles like I've Got My Own Album To Do' thread?

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71h-Z7GmU7L._AC_SX425_.jpg

Brain May

Dear Danny, Pet, Lennie Bennett...

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE3MjQyNjIz.jpg?width=640

the best thread

Misread that as 'remembering the laughs with Philip K Dick'.

it's comforting that some of these guys are still around

A case in point...

https://img.discogs.com/z0niBEpvmWlN4ZGOm0F3rCVf3A0=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-8848330-1516000229-2131.jpeg.jpg

72 of his greatest hits? Are we sure that's enough?

Apparently the Joe Henderson on that album is this guy.

Pretty sure I posted one of his albums on the WRONG DUDE thread.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/65scBdC3SDA/sddefault.jpg

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/images-a.jpimedia.uk/imagefetch/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/webimage/Prestige.Item.1.88975723!image/image.jpg?crop=982:524,smart&width=990

going slightly offtopic here, a global megastar like Louis Armstrong at the Batley Variety Club seems like an unusual event considering the town is in such decay now. The flash wideboy owner of the club offered Dean Martin the small fortune at the time of £45 000 to play there as well and his agent responded he wouldn't get out of bed for a piss for that pittance!

There's a 2021 release by DJ Herzbeat feat. Roger Whittaker on Spotify. I made it through 35sec, so you don't have to.

What if I really want to?

I like Roger Whittaker.

Oh, go on then. Don't say I didn't warn you.

xp (I like a bit of Roger too!)

https://i.ibb.co/J3crbMR/Capture.jpg

dick emery on a chopper

https://i.ibb.co/kX9Bhsx/Capture2.jpg

jon pertwee looking well balearic

https://motorbikewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/geomil.gif

^ from george and mildred - someone needs to do a study on the role of the sidecar in british comedy

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https://i2-prod.chroniclelive.co.uk/incoming/article13936984.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/DMR_NEC_040717rodney_01.jpg

I like Roger Whittaker.

― Are Animated Dads Getting Hotter? (Tom D.), Tuesday, June 15, 2021 4:45 AM (four hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

durham town is a bit of a tune

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/412/cpsprodpb/182C/production/_87588160_000238783-1.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/zr3CQ4x/Capture.jpg
^ bernie winters training with bournemouth

https://i.ibb.co/mJjR5fp/Capture3.jpg
^ bernie winters training with chester city

https://i.ibb.co/VLszyDP/Capture5.jpg
^ bernie winters leading out the tv all-stars team in a fundraiser for the families of the victims of the aberfan disaster, 1966

he's an arsenal fan btw

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C85rf5NW0AEsMvn.jpg

bernie winters, tommy steele, ronnie corbett... my mum might be able to tell you who the rest of them are

ronnie wandering around like he's lost his glasses

I spot Jess Conrad, Pete Murray and Alfie Bass.

... and Mike Winters, of course.

Pete Murray still alive! 95!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dUDpeCP4XQ

Miss Anglia 1980, hosted by Fred Dinage and Christine Webber. I know this is a video rather than a photograph but everything about it is amazing, particularly Christine's facts about the contestants ("Cheryl Mayhew, our number 8, is a Northampton girl. She’s 19 and works as a sales representative. She likes rugmaking, playing the guitar and banger racing. And Cheryl is qualified as a croupier"). it's particularly effective with the playback speed set at 0.25

Fred Dinenage is still alive, retired from TV at the end of last year. I don't know what he was doing presenting an Anglia TV show as he was on Southern/TVS/Meridian.

Maybe one for the 'Horrible 70s stars of BBC light entertainment album titles like I've Got My Own Album To Do' thread?

Definitely - that Stilgoe & Skellern album is called 'By The Wey' because the theatre in Guildford where it was recorded is by the River Wey. Yeah, try not to lose too many ribs from chuckling at that one.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XFITZY3mfHk/maxresdefault.jpg

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EmKCLju7gto/hqdefault.jpg

A wonderfully random collection of celebs (Rod Hull and Emu, Scorpio, Roy Castle, Ronnie Corbett, Faith Brown, Henry Cooper, Michael Fish) were out and about during a British Turkey Christmas Charity event in 1991. pic.twitter.com/1rGYRQHzp0

— Archivetvmusings (@archivetvmus71) December 3, 2019

pictures that look like they could have been created by a DALL-E prompt:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EK2mF_sWsAEwReS?format=jpg&name=medium

(the proper version and not the basic free one obviously, because otherwise they'd all have Francis Bacon faces)

rod hull looking like he has two fake arms

If you click through, the first reply to that tweet says "Jesus. Apart from Michael Fish, the rest are all dead", however I've checked and Scorpio from Gladiators is alive, well and due to appear at St Albans Comic-Con next month. Faith Brown is also still with us.

http://www.tvcream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/1980.jpg

Although it's a reference to For Your Eyes Only, with Janet Brown as Margaret Thatcher, this was apparently set up to advertise the fact that The Man with the Golden Gun was first shown on UK TV on Christmas Day, 1980. What a bleak, bleak world it was back then. Given the era, the film probably had something like twelve million viewers, or something. This was back when the Argos catalogue had topless women in the sunbed section. I used to like looking at the women in bikinis wearing those muscle training pad things. And then many years later Kink.com appeared and I realised I would never be lonely.

What was the BBC's big film on Christmas Day, 1980? The premieres of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which came out in 1954, and Airport '75, which was the one where a light aircraft crashes into an airliner and Charlton Heston has to rescue everybody.

The BBC was also in the process of showing Battle of the Planets, which for many people my age would have been the first exposure to the popular Anime look, and also panties and gender ambiguity. "Princess is in great danger from Zoltar when she loses her special G-Force shoe", apparently. The episode was of course "Museum of Mystery", although in the United States it probably had a different name because the whole thing was hacked together from a different cartoon:
https://www.battleoftheplanets.info/ep74.html

That was how the establishment eased us into the first year of Margaret Thatcher's reign. The sex, the perversity, fucking in the streets, the wanton cruelty, the lust, the tight skirts - that came later.

https://ibb.co/Dp6nPDk
https://ibb.co/5RMv2ct

Ha whoops

https://ibb.co/Dp6nPDk
https://ibb.co/5RMv2ct

This was back when women were alien space creatures that didn't exist. They were the other. It's disappointing that Jimmy Saville's answer to the question of "What I Want in a Wife" wasn't more creepy. People will probably laugh at us in thirty years.

Sidney Shipton is a man after my own heart. "She should be reasonably attractive and intelligent, but not more intelligent than me". I can get behind that. He seems to have been one of those quasi-celebrities who might have been familiar to people who read the newspapers in 1975, but not otherwise.

When they asked Ian McKellen what he looked for in a wife I'm curious as to whether McKellen made a pact with the interviewer to go along with the charade, or whether he went along because he felt he had to.

Oh, this was covered on this very website in 2017. It's from Cosmopolitan:
What I Want In A Wife article from Cosmopolitan (April 1972) - least vile man on this list?

There was a third panel:
https://emmapeelpants.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/wife3.jpg

Sheila Ravenscroft was indeed shorter than John Peel.

The Rod Hull and friends shoot couldn’t have been 91 as UK Gladiators only started in 92

(Really important correction)

When they asked Ian McKellen what he looked for in a wife I'm curious as to whether McKellen made a pact with the interviewer to go along with the charade, or whether he went along because he felt he had to.

"she doesn't exist" is barely going along with the charade, though.

The Rod Hull and friends shoot couldn’t have been 91 as UK Gladiators only started in 92

(Really important correction)

― Master of Treacle, Friday, 24 June 2022 23:00 (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink

looks like the Rod Hull/Scorpio Turkey photoshoot is from 1 December 1992, the other pictures with Faith Brown, Ronnie Corbett etc are a different photoshoot from 20 November 1991

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-rod-hull-and-emu-seen-here-atttacking-gladiator-scorpio-during-british-82136624.html

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-rod-hull-and-emu-seen-here-attacking-ronnie-corbett-as-left-to-right-82137706.html

If only Immanuel Velikovsky was still alive. He would come up with a theory that the 1991 British Turkey Christmas photoshoot was actually the same photoshoot as the 1992 British Turkey Christmas photoshoot, and that our current dating of UK Gladiators was incorrect. And that the year 1990 did not happen. And that Not with a Bang and Lazarus and Dingwall were in fact the same television programme.

Mr Pastry Pop A Part Target Game

https://i.imgur.com/ZANPHRc.jpg

You could hold up an old style barbers with that replica shooter there...

I don't know how anyone could bring themselves to point a gun at Mr Pastry's poor hapless face

https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/gavin-campbell-gives-cleo-rocos-a-wheelie-wobble-test-in-london-at-a-photocall-for-the-television-programme-thats-life-2775949a

https://editorial01.shutterstock.com/preview/2775949a/daef6fea/Shutterstock_2775949a.jpg

a lost world for real

that's life

Before I saw the link text I was wracking my brain trying to remember who Gavin Campbell was

Plainly a very talented man.

the lost world of British light entertainment still lives on via Jess Conard's twitter account

https://i.imgur.com/jHMIy10.png

Was going to say he's missed out "Diddy" David Hamilton but maybe "Diddy" David Hamilton doesn't have a twitter account.

don't think David's 1974 book David Hamilton's Beauty Tips for Women has been posted yet

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/K4sAAOSwECRg-UZT/s-l400.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UZQAAOSw0c1g-UZV/s-l400.jpg

Errrrrr.....

Jimmy Tarbuck remembering people he's outlived

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Khr4ovwoSGiOh_TxnCjSnA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD02NzU-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-08/f2cf5ec0-3ddc-11ee-8ff7-c894c83eada2

https://assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/thumbnails/8qplhim8-720.jpg

https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/jimmy-85f3.png?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=480%2C262

https://assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/thumbnails/m7sj7bl7-720.jpg

https://videos.metro.co.uk/pix/met/2017/09/12/13/4431314E00000578-0-image-a-8_1505221125693.jpg

but maybe "Diddy" David Hamilton doesn't have a twitter account.

imagine him signing up for twitter this week and getting all excited when he looks at the trending topics and then disappointed when he clicks through

I had totally forgotten that Des O'Connor had died

There are many other David Hamiltons out there, including the main indie DJ in Southampton in the 90s and an extremely dodgy photographer.

amazing that a 70s Radio 1 DJ is neither the dodgiest David Hamilton nor the dodgiest Diddy

OTM

i could swear Tarby died at least a decade ago

He's about to go on tour.

Misread that as he’s about to go in an hour!