To an entire generation of British children he was the closest we've ever had to a real-life Doctor Doolittle. Not only was his show magic - so was Johnny Morris
To many people, the name Peggy Mount will immediately conjure up an image of the ultimate battleaxe; a loud booming voice, a more than ample figure, a caricature in the best seaside postcard tradition. Yet behind this public image lay a very private person.
Television Heaven pays tribute to one of Britain's most prolific character actors who starred in three of the country’s best loved sitcoms
Cool elegance and quiet strength defined Barbara Murray, the British actress whose performances graced stage and screen for over five decades—from post-war dramas to television classics, she remained a compelling, unassuming presence
When Sydney Newman came to England from his native Canada in 1958, no one could have predicted that he would become one of the most influential programme makers of the 1960's
'One of the best and most subtle scene stealers in the business. She could fascinate just by making the most fleeting adjustment to her spectacles or the most furtive sideways glance.'
We remember the prolific actor who never quite achieved the status of a Hollywood A-lister. Warren Oates, despite rarely occupying the centre stage, left a lasting impact on American cinema
There are very few stars from television’s golden age who instantly put a smile on your face. As talented as the likes of Bob Monkhouse and Bruce Forsyth were, one person probably eclipsed them...
Versatile British actress whose commanding presence and flair for the dramatic left an indelible mark on film, stage and television, with a career spanning several decades
We remember the prolific stage and screen actor who became a household name in the UK in the 1980s when he appeared as the boozy Jack Rolfe in Howards' Way, the series dubbed by the British press as the 'boating and bonking' serial
Geoffrey Palmer perfected the art of keeping a sullen look and yet maximising laughter in gentle comedies like Butterflies and As Time Goes By, in the chaos of Fawlty Towers or in joining a new breed of comedians in a cameo on Blackadder Goes Forth
By the late 1940s Val Parnell had established himself as one of Britain's foremost theatre managers and impresarios. Through his association with Lew Grade he was also instrumental in the popularisation of television following the launch of ITV in 1955.
In a remarkably long career, Nicholas Parsons was also one half of a hugely successful comedy double act, held down an extended run in West End theatre, and was a successful host on both radio and television.
To the world, he was the Calypso Crusader, the lyrical lark who sang news headlines with the zest of a rum-soaked parrot, his eyes twinkling like disco balls, reflecting the neon glow of the That Was The Week That Was sign. Let's look back on the career of Lance Percival
“I’m a great believer in all things being possible. I shouldn’t be in the least bit disconcerted if I came face to face with a bug-eyed monster from outer space.”
Born in Poland during World War II and sent to a concentration camp from where she escaped, Ingrid Pitt rose from an early life marked by hardship and courage to become a cult figure in the horror movie genre. Her legacy endures through her captivating screen presence
Television Heaven remembers and pays tribute to a versatile British actor who captivated audiences with his intense performances and distinctive voice
His daring narratives and innovative storytelling techniques continue to influence playwrights and screenwriters across the globe. A look back on the life and notable works of Dennis Potter
Bryan Pringle's craggy, down-to-earth looks made him a perfect character actor.
She began her career as a comedienne but her legacy endures as a gifted and much loved character actress who left an indelible mark on stage, screen, and radio. Television Heaven remembers the star whose career spanned music hall and Broadway
Despite portraying the 'very English' Tory politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC's House of Cards, Ian Richardson, a leading stage actor, well known for his Shakespearean works, started out with a Scottish accent, having been born and brought up in Edinburgh
“She was a beautiful kind and generous human being that enhanced the lives of all that knew her as well as a great actress.”
Cardew Robinson, whose career was rooted in the music hall and Gang Shows, became a familiar voice on radio and a familiar face on television from the 1950s until the 1990s
Rosenthal left behind a legacy of a vast catalogue of plays, films and television series that include some of the finest dramas ever broadcast on television.
A versatile performer who could play comedy, drama and musical theatre, the stocky and curly-haired British character actor Norman Rossington was a staple on British television for over 40 years
His distinctive voice and facial features made him one of the most well know personalities on television. Television Heaven remembers one of British TV's true greats...
British actress who successfully navigated the paths between television, cinema and theatre and became an unsung hero before she was finally recognised as a national treasure
Margaret Rutherford remains one of the most beloved character actresses in British cinematic history. With her unmistakable presence, eccentric mannerisms, and innate sense of comedic timing, she carved out a unique space in the golden age of British film and theatre
Television Heaven honours a legendary actress forever associated with some of Britain’s most beloved sitcoms
"(With) so little of his earlier days surviving the dreaded wiping cull of many old shows, it’s remarkable just how little Terry Scott material remains"