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Julian Clary

Sue Lawley's castaway is comedian Julian Clary.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the comedian Julian Clary. Julian Clary brought camp out of the closet and into the TV mainstream. In the late 1980s he burst onto television screens as The Joan Collins Fan Club, attracting a surprisingly broad audience with his extreme make-up and innuendo. The son of a policeman and a probation officer, Julian was born and brought up in Teddington and Surbiton, and as a child was deeply religious. He discovered his comic talent at Goldsmith's University in the late 1970s where, as well as taking part in rather serious drama productions, he and a friend created the duo Glad and May - two over-made-up cleaning ladies with a passion for 'rummaging' through the handbags of their hapless audience.

In recent years, Julian has toned down the make-up and innuendo in order to take on a new role - Julian Clary, family favourite, star of prime time. Where once he had cult status, he now has serious mainstream appeal, recently presenting the new National Lottery show on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ1 and reaching the final of Strictly Come Dancing.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Garu Nanaka Ji Ki Jai Kar by Dana Gillespie
Book: Stop Thinking, Start Living by Richard Carlson
Luxury: All-purpose prosthetic arm

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 30 Sep 2005 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Frank Gardner

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Music Played

  • Dana Gillespie

    Big Fat Mammas are back in Style Again

    • Hot Stuff.
    • Ace Records.

  • Aretha Franklin

    So Damm Happy

    • So Damm Happy.
    • Anista.

  • T. Rex

    20th Century Boy

    • Hits of 1973: Various Artists.
    • Premier.

  • Gioachino Rossini

    William Tell Overture

    Soloist: Mary Schneider

    • Yodelling for Classics.
    • Dino.

  • Barb Jungr

    Peace in the Valley

    • Love Me Tender.
    • Linn.

  • Giacomo Puccini

    Nessun dorma

    Soloist: Divaria

    • Divaria.
    • Origin.

  • Gail Mackinnon

    Il Adore

    • Taboo: Original London Cast.
    • First Night.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Dana Gillespie

      Garu Nanaka Ji Ki Jai Kar

      • Sacred Space.

  • Book Choice

    • Stop Thinking, Start Living - Richard Carlson

  • Luxury Choice

    • All-purpose prosthetic arm

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Julian Clary

Broadcasts

  • Sun 25 Sep 2005 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 30 Sep 2005 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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