1 9 5 6 – 1 9 6 1 (UK)
Dave King (pictured above), one of the most popular comedians in Britain, was a regular celebrity in Val Parnell’s Saturday Spectacular, which usually focussed on a single star per broadcast.
The series got off to a good start with jazz singer Mel Tormé, but in subsequent weeks, the parade of international legends promised by Parnell failed to materialise. Domestic stars like Tommy Steele, Dickie Valentine and Lonnie Donegan all did their bit.
Other guest hosts and headline stars included Johnnie Ray, David Whitfield, Cliff Richard, Connie Francis, Bob Monkhouse, The Beverley Sisters, Shirley Bassey, Arthur Haynes, Lionel Blair, George Formby, Pat Coombs, Irene Handl, Anthony Newley, Nicholas Parsons, Arthur Askey, Roy Castle, Gracie Fields, Hughie Green , Frankie Vaughan, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Guy Mitchell, Sammy Davis Jr, Sidney James, Peter Sellers, Tony Bennett, Bernard Bresslaw, Clive Dunn, Bruce Forsyth, Pinky and Perky, Kenneth Williams, Alma Cogan, Jim Dale, Diana Dors, Benny Hill, The Shadows, Petula Clark, Duane Eddy, Billy Fury, Adam Faith and Morecambe & Wise.
