Revel in nostalgic TV from the 1980s to the present day. Presented here for education, interest and to preserve a personal VHS archive. This channel features recorded-from-air transmissions stored on VHS tape. The copyright remains with the original broadcasters and production companies. Due to the archive nature of this channel, the visual and audio quality may vary.
This was when we had music in the curriculum and when everyone took part in something of a musical nature. This was when teachers were allowed to teach without fear of being reprimanded over some idiotic incident and when they loved their job and stayed in it. This was when children had respect. This was when parents appreciated their children's teachers. This was before our education system and society turned into a shambles.
Such a lovely fella, spent many an hour watching and chattin' with him. I actually made him laugh when he was doing one of his many appearances in The Royal Cornwall theatre in Truro, often spoke about it when we subsequently met!
His mick jagger dance reminded me of Hugh grant in love actually......loved watching Phil cool as a kid...so much better content and impressions than Mike Yarwood....saw Les Gigbson live and he was phenomenal..Ross Kemp and Kevin from Corrie were amazing...and Jon Culshaw at Edinburgh Fringe last year was another level again.
My stepdad kept going on about him. I never watched him because of issues with him. Now all middle aged. He was so right. ( I do love his really mucky stuff most though)
Being from Penzance and having had to get home from 'Cambern', it's a source of embarrassment that the simple idea of taking the bus never occurred to me.
Who the hell is Rory McGrath anyway? He has a criminal record for drunken harassment for Christ's sake. And as for Paul 'Radio Graveyard Shift' Ross, he had a full-on gay affair when one of his marriages broke up in the wake of a drug addiction, so HE can talk. Frankie was a one-off, a real star. I spotted him once on the beach at Burnhsm-on-Sea, learning a script, and when I approached him he told me to piss off. It made no difference, I loved him and still do.
I was a dancer back in the early 70s, and had the honour of working with Frankie at the London Palladium. The show was the pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, and also featured Dora Bryan, Mark Wynter, Alfie Bass and Elisabeth Larner (Lurkio's mistress in Up Pompeii). It was a long run - about 6 months, with a matinee and evening performance 6 days a week. We'd arrive mid day and not leave the theatre until late at night. I know that Frankie found this all very tiring. It's true that Frankie used to 'try it on', but like all the other eccentricities in show biz people, we tolerated it. There were no angels. I was 19 at the time - and pretty good looking so became the object of his attention. He used to look for me between shows and when I'd get back to the dancers' dressing room the other guys would laugh and tell me that Frankie had come to look for the 'welsh boy' as he used to call me. I'm from the north-east of England, so had a northern accent which unsurprisingly Frankie confused with the Welsh lilt. They are both rather musical accents so it wasn't surprising. I just wanted to tell you this ancient history because Frankie was rather lonely, but basically a very decent guy. We would chat in the wings about this and that while he waited for his cue to go onstage. He used to listen to my immature bleats about this or that problem in my life and would give me sterling advice (him having been through some really low times himself during his life and career). One thing he said to me I've never forgotten - because I've subsequently found it to be true .. "you can never know whether something in your life is good or bad until 5 years down the line." Sometimes what you feel as the worst thing to have happened to you turns out to be the best thing. At the end of the run we had a cast party at the White Elephant, on the Thames, and I was invited to sit on the main table with the stars of the show (God knows why). I sat next to Elizabeth Larner, who had a devilish wit. She turned to me and said "Be a good boy and I promise to rape you later.". Obviously, at that age I had charms I was unaware of. Story of my life, only realising my potential when it's far too late. Anyway ... being young and inexperienced I had far too much to drink and ended up being completely sloshed. I remember very little except one moment when we were leaving the party and I was staggering all over the pavement. Frankie turned to another of the male dancers and said "See he gets home OK" - then gave the lad some money for a taxi. Later, I was as sick as a dog. Now if Frankie was as predatory as some of these talking heads would like us to believe he would have used his manager, Dennis to ensure that I got back to HIS home safely. But he didn't. He was kind and unselfish. At some point during the run of the show he turned to me and said "How would you like to be kept"? To which I didn't respond (though he got the message the answer was no). All in all Frankie was a lovely man, though a lonely man. As usual people look back in hindsight and judge people, though back in the 70s acceptance of gay people (I'm gay) was much less than it is today. Elizabeth Larner was racy and very nice; Dora Bryan was fantastic, and used to sit in the wings knitting while waiting for her cue (she was lovely to me). Alfie Bass was past his best and used to go on stage pissed as a fart every night. He used to just make his lines up as he went, spouting any old rubbish. God knows what the audience thought. He was rather full of himself and not very pleasant. So, happy memories. And no, Frankie never had his wicked way with me. 😂😂😂
Great stories...I was just thinking of Dora Bryan tonight, they played her "All I Want Is A Beatle..." song on overnight radio...She was a great character...👌
Think Rik was trying to get off with the lovely Gloria can't blame him can you she has always been a beauty just like her daughter was R.I.P Rik Mayall and Caron Keating 😔😥🙏🏻
Loved him in the carry on films, Mr bigger who didn’t believe in medical care in carry on Dr 1968, brilliant stand up, up Pompeii he was one funny fella.
Frankie Howerd, with all his flaws, never ever sexually harmed children, or anyone underage. Cilla Black said he adored children, and would be the first to defend them for any pervert who would try to harm them. Frankie just enjoyed gay sex. All of his advances to men were with men who were over 21 and legal, especially from 1967.
I first saw Jethro in 1979 who had just started out and he was the comedian at a strip show in Plymouth......his opening line which I never forgot was "right you lot we've got two fabulous lezzers for you and they've come to show you their hairy fann***" I had no idea who he was but it was the "delivery" that was brillaint and I watched him many times after Juat brilliant
If Howerds sexually abusive conduct was directed towards girls/women, how many commenters would be here defending his sick, perverted and criminal behaviour?😮
What a sad story. I never liked Emu because of the “violence” and anarchy that ensued ever time it met someone! I think it was nice that Rod Hull got to be himself with his family in the end and it’s a lovely thing that all his kids talk about their father with such warmth and compassion. RIP guys.