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Sir Harry Secombe

Sue Lawley's castaway is comedian and singer Sir Harry Secombe

This is an archive edition of Desert Island Discs. What follows is what was said about the programme at the time:

Sue Lawley's castaway this week has celebrated more than 50 years as a professional performer - he's the comedian and singer Harry Secombe.

At 76, he can still hit the cruel Cs, although these days he turns puce with the effort. He can still make an audience laugh itself silly and numbers Prince Charles among his many fans. He's most definitely the best raspberry-blower in the business. Today he recalls the early days of The Goon Show with Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine. He remembers the nights spent in review alongside those Windmill girls dressed only in beads - "and most of those were sweat". And he describes how presenting Highway and Songs of Praise has left him feeling humble.

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

Favourite track: Fantasia On Greensleeves by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Book: The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
Luxury: Guitar

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Boxing Day 1997 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Maurice Chevalier

    My Old Dutch

    Composer: Chas Ingle Artist: Peter Sellers

    • Songs For Swingin'.
    • EMI.

  • Giacomo Puccini

    Che gelida manina (Your tiny hand is frozen) (from La Bohème)

    Soloist: Beniamino Gigli Orchestra: Chorus and Orchestra Of La Scala

  • Newport

    How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds

    Composer: Belmont Choir: London Emmanuel Choir

    • The Choice Is Yours.
    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Records.

  • Gordon MacRae

    If I Loved You

    • Carousel.
    • Capitol Records.

  • Georges Bizet

    Au fond du temple saint (from The Pearl Fishers)

    Soloist: Richard Tucker, Robert Merrill Orchestra: Orchestra Of Capitole De Toulouse + Chorus

    • Bizet: The Pearl Fishers.
    • EMI.

  • Ambrosian Singers

    The Holy City

    Soloist: Stuart Burrows

    • Favourite Sacred Songs.
    • Decca.

  • Kiri Te Kanawa

    Bäilèro (from Songs of the Auvergne)

    • Songs Of The Auvergne.
    • Decca.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Ralph Vaughan Williams

      Fantasia On Greensleeves

      Orchestra: Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Eugene Ormandy

      • Works By Holst & Vaughan Williams.
      • RCA Classics.

  • Book Choice

    • The Pickwick Papers - Charles Dickens

  • Luxury Choice

    • Guitar

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Harry Secombe

Broadcasts

  • Sun 21 Dec 1997 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Boxing Day 1997 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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