Leicester comedian Bill Maynard had worked as a coalman, commercial traveller, salesman and footballer (he was a semi-professional for Kettering Town and Leicester City) before he began performing in working men’s clubs and holiday camps, eventually landing a £100-a-week season at London’s Windmill Theatre, where he was discovered as a “natural” for television.
Teaming up with close friend and touring companion Terry Scott, he starred in Great Scott, It’s Maynard! alongside Shirley Eaton, Hugh Lloyd, Marie Benson, and Gary Wayne. Musical accompaniment was provided by singing group The Coronets and an orchestra directed by Eric Robinson.
Pat Coombs joined the regular cast in 1956.
The fortnightly BBC series originally ran from 4 October to 13 December 1955, returning in April and May 1956 for six more programmes, with a further five shows between October and December of that same year.
Terry Scott
Bill Maynard
Shirley Eaton
Hugh Lloyd
Pat Coombs
Marie Benson
Gary Wayne
The Coronets
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