A
Close Look At Famous Television Stars
"Good
afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It is with great pleasure that I introduce you
to the magic of television…" So went the words of Leslie Mitchell, the official
announcer of Britain`s first high-definition public television programme from
Radiolympia on August 26th, 1936.
And
what magic it was; for it seems almost impossible now to imagine a life before
television.Contemporary
culture saturates us with images of realty TV stars, this is the age of celebrity
when people can be famous just for being famous; but what of the days when there
were far fewer channels to watch on television, and when television stars could
expect to pull in audiences up to seven or eight times the size they do now? Here`s
a look at some of the most famous stars to have graced our television screens.
Jean Alexander
Better known as her famous alter-ego Hilda Ogden,
the epitome of northern grit, and one of the first iconic characters of Coronation
Street. She was once voted the fourth most popular women in Britain, only beaten
by the Queen mother, the Queen and Princess Diana.
Ronnie Barker
Ronnie
became a star of radio and theatre before coming to real prominence on the Frost
Report in 1966 where he was to team up with comedy partner Ronnie Corbett. The
two Ronnies had an average 15million viewers but Barker was to be just as successful
in his own right in the series `Porridge` and `Open all Hours`.
Bruce
Forsyth
It was on the show `Sunday Night at the Royal Palladium` that Forsyth
first achieved celebrity and was to become a household name when he fronted a
series of popular television shows including `The Generaton Game`, `Play Your
Cards Right`, `The Price is Right` and more recently, `Strictly Come Dancing`.
David Frost
Sir David Frost OBE is a satirist and Television Presenter
who not only pioneered the careers of many British comics but became the face
of many long running television shows including; `That was the week that was`,
`Breakfast With frost` and the daytime favourite, `Through the Keyhole`.
Gilbert
Harding
From 1952 until his death in 1960, there was no one in the UK more
famous than Gilbert Harding. As a panellist on the famous `What`s my Line` television
show, this `Simon Cowell of the 50`s` was renowned for being rude, cynical but
also comical.
Bob Hope
One of the greatest entertainers of
all time, Bob Hope was a familiar star of radio, film, stage and television. Born
in South London in 1903, Hope had an amazing career and was recognised for his
many achievements including `Most honoured entertainer` with over 1500 awards.
David
Jason
True TV Gold, Jason can be credited with some of television`s most
loved characters including Granville (Open all Hours), Del Boy (Only Fools…),
Pa Larkin (Darling Buds of May) and most recently, Frost. His CV is extensive
and impressive and he earned himself a much-deserved knighthood in 2005.
Morcambe and Wise
This famous duo have become synonymous with some of
the highest television ratings in British history. On 25th December 1977, 28 million
people tuned into a show that would see them voted as the Best Light Entertainment
Performers of all time.
Jimmy Savile
One of the nation`s most
recognisable faces and voices, Sir Jim has graced our television screens for the
last forty years, though he was a well-known DJ and sports personality before
that. Presenter of the iconic Top of the Pops and `Jim`ll Fix It`, Sir Jim has
become a real national treasure.
