Harry Secombe Show, The

1 9 6 8 (UK)
1 x 50 minute episode
1 9 6 9 – 1 9 7 3 (UK)
30 x 45 minute episodes

This long-running variety series followed the success of a one-off Harry Secombe Show screened on BBC2 on Christmas Day in 1968. The show featured some of the stars of the movie Oliver!, including Ron Moody (Fagin), Jack Wild (the Artful Dodger), Shani Wallis (Nancy) and 22 of the boys from the film.

Debuting on Sunday 4 May 1969, The Harry Secombe Show ran for thirty episodes until December 1973.

On 15 November 1969, the show was one of the first programmes broadcast on the BBC’s first official night of colour transmission.

Comedian Julian Orchard featured as Secombe’s regular sidekick and Harry’s guests included Lulu, Cilla Black, Mary Hopkin, Kiri Te Kanawa, Olivia Newton-John, The Carpenters, Florence Henderson, Beryl Reid, Roy Castle, Peggy Mount, Bruce Forsyth, Rolf Harris, Arthur Askey, Val Doonican, Phyllis Diller, Noel Harrison, Bobbie Gentry, Jimmy Tarbuck, Des O’Connor, Sacha Distel, Clodagh Rodgers, Ronnie Barker, Hattie Jacques, Engelbert Humperdinck, Shirley Bassey, Dick Emery, Vera Lynn, Nana Mouskouri, Dickie Henderson, The New Seekers, The Spinners, Arthur Lowe, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Dana, Vince Hill, and The Young Generation.

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