麻豆约拍

Christopher Biggins celebrates the English sister-double act of Elsie & Doris Waters, better known by their character names as 'Gert and Daisy.' Elsie played Gert and Doris was Daisy.

Elsie and Doris Waters were born within the sound of Bow Bells at the turn of the last century; Elsie was the elder by ten years and their brother Jack became the famous actor Jack Warner of 'Dixon Of Dock Green' fame. Their family was musical and as young girls they got their first engagements in Concert Parties and Music Hall and came up with the idea of 'Gert and Daisy' in 1930.

This was a new kind of comedy; observational 'over the garden wall' gossiping based on everyday life, their neighbours and their fictional other halves, Bert and Wally. The sisters moved onto 麻豆约拍 Radio, becoming regulars on 'Workers Playtime'.

During the World War Two, they made three films together 'Gert and Daisy's Weekend' (1942), 'Gert and Daisy Clean Up' (1942) and 'It's in the Bag' (1944). They toured with ENSA, entertaining the troops in India and the Far East, and back home they were enlisted by the Ministry Of Food and appeared regularly on 麻豆约拍 Radio's 'Kitchen Front', giving advice on how to make the best of the daily food rations including recipes for such gastronomic delights as 'Woolton Pie' and Christmas 'Murkey'!

In 1956, Elsie and Doris Waters starred as 'Gert and Daisy' in the popular radio series 'Floggit's', with a supporting cast that included future stars Ronnie Barker, Joan Sims, Ron Moody, Hugh Paddick and Anthony Newley.

Elsie and Doris kept 'Gert and Daisy' gossiping and singing on Radio, TV and live shows until Doris passed away in 1978, followed by Elsie in 1990 at the grand age of 97.

In 1986, 'Gert and Daisy' were awarded the Burma Star.

Elsie and Doris Waters were trailblazers for British female comedians, being one of the first highly successful female double acts who wrote their own material and songs. They formed their own production company, taking full charge of their incredible career spanning more than fifty years.