Biographies

His sinister charm and twinkling eyes captivated audiences. A timeless villain, forever etched in our hearts

Described variously as the 'last great music-hall entertainer', 'the clown prince of comedy' and 'the squire of Knotty Ash', Ken Dodd tickled the British public for over 60 years. His live shows were legendary...and long! - "This isn't television, missus," he'd say, "you can't turn me off."

Jack Douglas, the man who made twitching an art form with a face that was as expressive as a mime trapped in a wind tunnel. You might remember him from the Carry On films, where he perfected the art of looking perpetually startled

Charlie Drake delighted audiences with his slapstick comic antics in stage variety shows and on television for more than 50 years, often playing a downtrodden "everyman," who failed at everything he tried. Not so in real life.

Throughout his life Paul Eddington battled with a crippling disease. But as one of the leading stars in two of the nation's favourite comedies, it didn't stop him from cementing his place in the hearts and minds of the British public.

Fondly remembered as Russ Abbott's comic foil to his Cooperman character, Bella Emberg, aka Blunderwoman, became a household name in the UK in the 1980s

His private life was littered with failed marriages and affairs and his shows are hardly seen any more, but Dick Emery was watched by millions of viewers every week

Remembering the quintessential fictional 'spiv' Arthur English, who off stage was a humble man, as kind in spirit as he was funny on it

John Esmonde and Bob Larbey have unquestionably been responsible for some of British comedy's best loved programmes. From the comfort of suburbia in The Good Life to the darker world of Mulberry, the writers have given us some of the most memorable characters on television.

Television Heaven pays tribute to the man whose distinctive voice, dishevelled appearance, and incredible talent made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.