'Allo 'Allo! - The Jet-Propelled Mother-in-Law - 8:00 pm Friday, January 23 on U&Yesterday

Arthur Bostrom (Actor) .. Secret Agent Crabtree

John D Collins (Actor) .. Flying Officer Fairfax

Kenneth Connor (Actor) .. Monsieur Alfonse

Born: June 06, 1918 in London

Best Known For: Being a member of the Carry On team.

Early-life: Born in London on June 6, 1918, his father was a naval petty officer who organised concert parties. Kenneth made his stage debut at the age of two as an organ-grinder's monkey in one of his father's shows, and by the age of 11 was performing in revues as a solo act and a doubles act with his brother. He studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama and made his professional debut on the stage in The Boy David in 1936.

Career: During the Second World War, Connor served as an infantry gunner with the Middlesex Regiment but continued acting with the Stars in Battledress concert party and ENSA. After the war, he joined the newly formed Bristol Old Vic before moving on to the London Old Vic Company. He found his greatest successes in comedy. He took over from Peter Sellers in the radio show Ray's a Laugh and made occasional appearances on The Goon Show when one of the regular cast members was ill. His first major role on the big screen came when he was cast in the first Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant (1958). He went on to become a regular in the Carry On series, appearing in 18 Carry On films. Connor was also notable for his many TV roles, which included parts in Rentaghost, Hi-de-Hi! and ‘Allo ‘Allo. He died on November 28, 1993 at the age of 75.

Quote: "I have a need to balance comedy with drama."

Trivia: Connor was awarded an MBE in 1991 for services to drama.

Kirsten Cooke (Actor) .. Michelle Dubois

Nicholas Frankau (Actor) .. Flying Officer Carstairs

Richard Gibson (Actor) .. Herr Otto Flick

Jack Haig (Actor) .. Monsieur Leclerc

Kim Hartman (Actor) .. Sgt Helga Geerhart

Rose Hill (Actor) .. Fanny Blanc

Sue Hodge (Actor) .. Mimi Labong

Gorden Kaye (Actor) .. Rene Artois

Born: April 07, 1941 in Huddersfield

Best Known For: Playing Rene Artois in ‘Allo, ‘Allo!

Early-life: Born Gordon Fitzgerald Kaye in Huddersfield on April 7, 1941. The spelling of his name Gorden came later as a result of a typing error by the British Actors' Equity Association. He interviewed the Beatles for a hospital radio station in Huddersfield in 1963 when they performed in the town. He also worked in textile mills, a wine factory and a tractor factory.

Career: Following appearances in a radio play and a TV play, playwright Alan Ayckbourn encouraged Kaye to audition for the Bolton Octagon Theatre. He was offered a contract and performed in a number of plays, including The Cherry Orchard, The Homecoming, and The Imaginary Invalid. He first came to prominence on TV playing Elsie Tanner's nephew Bernard Butler on Coronation Street in 1969. Later roles included guest appearances on It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Are You Being Served? And Come Back Mrs Noah. His big break came in 1982 when he landed the role of Rene Artois in the popular sitcom ‘Allo, ‘Allo! He went on to appear in all 84 editions until 1992. He returned to the role in 2007 for a one-off TV special. He also performed the character in stage versions of the sitcom. His film credits included Jabberwocky (1977), Porridge (1979) and Brazil (1985). He died on January 23, 2017 at the age of 75.

Quote: As Rene Artois to his wife Edith: "You stupid woman!"

Trivia: Kaye had a dent in his forehead that was caused by a plank of wood going through his car window during a severe gale in 1990.

John Louis Mansi (Actor) .. Von Smallhausen

Richard Marner (Actor) .. Col Kurt Von Strohm

Vicki Michelle (Actor) .. Yvette

Born: December 14, 1950 in Chigwell

Quote: "I love nature. As a kid we always used to go for walks in the forest."

Trivia: Michelle received an MBE in 2010 for services to charity.

Best Known For: Playing Yvette in ‘Allo ‘Allo!

Early-life: Vicki was born in Chigwell on December 14, 1950. With aspirations of becoming a ballet dancer, she joined the Aida Foster stage school. Instead, she started landing roles on TV, the first being a guest role in 1970 on Softly Softly: Task Force. Guest roles followed in a number of sitcoms and sketch shows, including Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, The Goodies, The Two Ronnies, and The Kenny Everett Television Show.

Career: Michelle's big break came in 1982 when she was cast as sexy waitress Yvette Carte-Blanche in BBC sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo! The long-running series ran until 1992, clocking up 85 episodes. Michelle has also starred in touring versions of ‘Allo ‘Allo! around the world. Her film credits include Alfie Darling (1975), The Likely Lads (1976), George and Mildred (1980), Run for Your Wife (2012) and The Callback Queen (2013). She is also a regular on the pantomime circuit. In November 2014, she entered the jungle as a contestant on I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

Hilary Minster (Actor) .. General Von Klinkerhoffen

Gavin Richards (Actor) .. Capt Alberto Bertorelli

Carmen Silvera (Actor) .. Edith Artois

Guy Siner (Actor) .. Lt Hubert Gruber

David Croft (Writer)

Jeremy Lloyd (Writer)

Martin Dennis (Director)

'Allo 'Allo!: The Jet-Propelled Mother-in-Law

8:00 pm - 8:35 pm, Today on U&Yesterday (27)

About this Broadcast

The Jet-Propelled Mother-in-Law
Season 4, Episode 6

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