Biographies

For a time, Britain's most controversial comedian, regularly provoking outrage, indignation and a flood of complaints to the BBC's switchboard.

A veteran of the classic British Music-Hall, Askey's trademark brand of quick-fire humour and masterly use of the ad-lib won him generations of fans.

Where British television had once been staid and predictable Baker and Berman's series helped establish a new formula for fast paced action packed adventures.

"Ronnie Barker will be numbered amongst a select band of comedy greats who shaped British comedy in the 20th century."

Stanley Baxter's spectacular musical-comedy specials, reminiscent of Hollywood's best extravaganzas, were so flamboyant and proved to be so costly that Baxter was sacked not from just one, but two TV channels, who simply couldn't afford to keep him.

One of the founding fathers of Independent Television, Sidney Bernstein managed, in a small amount of time, to stamp his indelible imprint on British television to create a multi-million pound empire that thrives today.

As Cathy Gale in The Avengers, Honor Blackman not only altered public perception of women in television, she re-characterized the role and kick-started the whole 1960s 'second wave' feminist movement.

On TV, movies or the theatre he has undoubtedly been regarded as one of Britain’s unsung heroes for too long. Bernard Bresslaw was one of Britain’s foremost actors who entertained us for over forty years.

A stalwart of the 'Carry On' franchise and a familiar face on television, one of Britain's favourite comedy actors, Peter Butterworth, was instantly recognisable and unquestionably admired. But before becoming an actor Butterworth was a war veteran who was involved in 'The Great Escape'.

Modest, warm-hearted and an accomplished comedienne in her own right but often the comic foil for some of the funniest stars on television, the unforgettable Pat Coombs voice was instantly recognised on radio as was her face on television.