The Good Old Days: 18/03/1976
01:35 am - 02:20 am, Sunday, February 22 on BBC Four (9)
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About this Broadcast
18/03/1976
Season 1, Episode 1
Leonard Sachs hosts a 1976 edition of the old-time music hall programme from the Leeds City Varieties, featuring Hylda Baker, Val Doonican, Richard Hearne, Robin Hunter and members of the Players Theatre, London
subtitles
Show/Game Show
Variety Show
Cast & Crew
Leonard Sachs
(Host)
Hylda Baker
(Performer)
Val Doonican
(Performer)
Richard Hearne
(Performer)
Robin Hunter
(Performer)
Barney Colehan
(Producer)
More Information
Did You Know..
Leonard Sachs
(Host)
Hylda Baker
(Performer)
Val Doonican
(Performer)
Quote:
"Young people have never heard of me and, with a name like mine, most of them think I'm a woman."
Trivia:
Married Lynette Rae in the early 1960s. The couple have two grown-up daughters.
Best Known For:
His vast array of woolly jumpers
Early-life:
Born Michael Valentine Doonican on February 3, 1929, in Waterford, Ireland. He became known as Val so he could be distinguished from other Michaels living in the same area. He's the youngest of eight children and was raised in impoverished circumstances. Nevertheless, he claims to have had a happy childhood and was very close to his father until the latter's death from cancer when Doonican was 14. He then felt compelled to leave school, get a job and help support his family.
Career:
He made crates in an orange box factory before singing in Waterford's first TV broadcast, which led to a tour of Ireland. Doonican played in numerous bands, but was urged to go solo by Anthony Newley, and soon landed various engagements on radio and the cabaret circuit. It was an eight-minute spot on Sunday Night at the London Palladium which made him a household name. Since then he's recorded more than 50 albums, had numerous hit singles and hosted a TV show which ran for 24 years. He continues to perform live, but is semi-retired.
Richard Hearne
(Performer)
Robin Hunter
(Performer)
Barney Colehan
(Producer)
