Melbourne radio announcer Brian Naylor began hosting a children’s talent program called Swallow’s Juniors on Radio 3DB in the 1950s.
In 1957, Naylor transferred Swallow’s Juniors to television where it aired on Channel Seven (HSV7). The title changed to Brian and the Juniors in 1964.
Running until 1969, the show gently guided a whole generation of talented young Australians to television stardom and provided a stepping stone for performers such as Debra Byrne, Peter Doyle, Patti Newton (nee McGrath), Ernie Sigley, Vikki Broughton and Jamie Redfern.
Naylor was promoted to the role of chief newsreader for HSV7.
The concept of a talent show featuring a junior cast was revisited when the 0-10 Network launched Young Talent Time in 1971 (featuring some former Brian and the Juniors cast members including Jane Scali, Debbie Byrne and Jamie Redfern.
Brian Naylor and his wife Moiree were killed on 7 February 2009 in the ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires which destroyed their property in Kinglake West in Victoria. He was 78.
Running until 1969, the show gently guided a whole generation of talented young Australians to television stardom and provided a stepping stone for performers such as Debra Byrne, Peter Doyle, Patti Newton (nee McGrath), Ernie Sigley, Vikki Broughton and Jamie Redfern.
