Mike’s flash image and cheeky persona were working well in the pubs, and most of the time with the opposite sex. The Unforgettable s4e7: Mike Reid
Hanging around with some of London’s most notorious villains wasn’t helping. ibid.
He was still performing in pubs and clubs in the evening. By day he started working as an extra in films and TV. ibid.
It was a perfect time to make a name for himself in stand-up comedy. ibid.
Born in 1915 in Marylebone London Norman and older brother Fred had a tough upbringing. The Unforgettable s5e1: Norman Wisdom
Norman was alone, sleeping rough and living off charity from food vendors. ibid.
The plucky band boy became Flyweight boxing champion of the British Army. ibid.
Norman began appearing in small theatres. ibid.
By the early ’50s Norman was one of Britain’s biggest variety acts. ibid.
The Rank Organisation contracted him for a seven-year deal. ibid.
Over the next thirteen years Norman would make fourteen more comedy films. Most with the same winning formula. ibid.
By the mid-60s Norman Wisdom was one of Britain’s biggest stars. ibid.
In Going Gently Norman was cast as a man on a terminal ward dying of cancer. ibid.
To millions around the world John Thaw was the curmudgeonly Inspector Morse. To others he was The Sweeney’s tough-talking John Regan. To others still a sensation of the stage … The viewer’s choice of actor. The Unforgettable s5e3: John Thaw
John was offered a place at RADA. ibid.
His theatre work led to a series of television plays. ibid.
ITV’s new gritty military police drama Redcap. ibid.
The Sweeney blazed a trail for TV cop shows. ibid.
Seasons at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Henry VIII and Twelfth Night won John great acclaim. While sitcom Home to Roost proved another great hit. ibid.
Inspector Morse set the bar for detective drama. ibid.
[comment]: ‘There was nothing he couldn’t do.’ The Unforgettable s5e4: Leslie Crowther
‘He was about the nicest person I ever met.’ ibid.
Born in February 1933 in Nottingham to Leslie senior and his second wife Ethel. ibid.
Leslie’s parents encouraged him toward drama school. ibid.
‘Friday. It’s five to five. And it’s Crackerjack!’ ibid. comment
‘He was a sitcom actor too.’ ibid.
In the 1960s and ’70s, 18 million viewers checked into the Crossroads Motel every weekday teatime to follow the life of series matriarch Meg Mortimer played by Noele Gordon. The Unforgettable s5e9: Noele Gordon
The married theatrical impresario Val Parnell, twenty-nine years her senior, Noele had a long-term affair with him which started when she was just nineteen. ibid.
It [Crossroads] didn’t enjoy critical success. ibid.
The end when it came was every bit as dramatic as the sacking itself. ibid.
Crossroads ran for a further seven years without Noele Gordon. ibid.
Her theatrical career went from strength to strength. ibid.
Noele Gordon died on 14th April 1985. ibid.
Dudley Moore – musician, performer, movie star, he had it all. The Unforgettable s5e10: Dudley Moore
That show was Beyond the Fringe. ibid.
Not Only, But Also ... ibid.
Derek and Clive’s underground popularity led to spots on Saturday Night Live. ibid.
He started to embrace the Hollywood lifestyle. ibid.
Arthur was another role that seemed to be made for Dudley. Although not a drinker himself he was the perfect drunk. ibid.
Then in 1995 Dudley heard the shocking news of the sudden death of his former comedy partner Peter Cook. ibid.
Gordon Jackson was born in 1923 in Glasgow, the youngest of six children. Young Gordon’s talents were spotted while he was still at school. The Unforgettable s5e11: Gordon Jackson
He was chosen by Ealing film studios to star in a wartime propaganda film. Finding himself in demand as an actor Gordon quit his apprenticeship to star in a succession of movies. ibid.
After Flood Tide came a key role in the Ealing comedy Whisky Galore. ibid.
Starring in the 1965 thriller The Ipcress File. ibid.
After Hamlet, Gordon cemented his reputation by starring in The Pride of Miss Jean Brodie opposite Maggie Smith. ibid.
A new television costume drama ... Upstairs Downstairs ran for five years and its huge success made it a popular target for parody. ibid.
Two years after Upstairs Downstairs ended, Gordon took the role of George Cowley ... in The Professionals. ibid.
Gordon Jackson died of cancer on January 15th 1990 aged 66. ibid.