"You see, I think acting is magic. If I tell you all about myself it will spoil it. It's like a conjuror showing you how he does his tricks. If you can see how it's being done it takes away all the magic."
In a country famed for its literary giants, Stanley Unwin stands out alone as a man recognised and lauded for his oratory, not because he was an exceptional speaker of the English language, but because he invented his own language, "Unwinese."
Best known for her role as Ethel Mertz on the American sitcom classic 'I Love Lucy', Vivian Vance first had to win over the show's star first and then work with an actor who despised her. Mike Spadoni looks back on the career of an actress who was "second banana to none."
Best known as the cheeky bus driver Stan Butler, Reg Varney was also the master of quirky characters with a dash of British charm. We pay tribute to a relatable everyman - and it's a delightful ride you won't want to miss
From his early beginnings to his illustrious career, Peter Vaughan proved time and time again that he was a force to be reckoned with
For years television viewers in the UK would tune in to hear Kent Walton's opening line "Greetings, grapple fans" as he introduced Saturday afternoon wrestling as part of ITV's long running World of Sport programme.
Not every actor can rise above the fear of typecasting, particularly in comedy. But one man not only accepted the role that made his fortune, but he embraced it for the majority of his career
He was the man who began a sentence with a rather disinterested "Can I help you?", would listen to you explain your predicament and then frustrate you with an equally dispassionate "I'm awfully sorry, there's absolutely nothing I can do to help you."
Incredibly talented and vastly underrated character actress who for too long has been an unsung hero
The ITV weatherman who changed how weather forecasts were presented. Come rain or come shine, there was never a dull moment with Laurie West.
The term ‘national treasure’ has become as overused as any of its predecessors like ‘legendary’ and the oft-coined ‘there will never be another.’ But in the late Dame June Whitfield, it’s safe to say that the term was fully merited.
With his quick wit, exaggerated posh accent and a comical use of elongated vowels, Kenneth Williams endeared himself to the British public as a true eccentric. But no matter how successful he became he never achieved the self-esteem he longed for. And in the end - it proved tragically self-destructive...
Mike and Bernie Winters were gifted and appealing professionals whose canny brand of rough and smooth comedy routines added much welcomed laughter to the nation's television screens.
She was as adept at producing touching drama as she was belly-aching comedy. Victoria Wood brought laughter and tears to audiences with a gentle, soulful reality that is hard to find in the comedy world she has left behind.
From his early days on the stage to his groundbreaking roles on the screen, Edward Woodward consistently captivated audiences with his immense talent and undeniable charisma
Harry Worth perfected the role of the perpetually bemused, exasperated, but endearing misfit who was always one step behind the rest of the world
Best known as a pioneering British television personality, producer, and presenter who became a beloved figure in children's television during the mid-20th century Muriel Young played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of children's entertainment