British Comedy Guide
Barbara Windsor
Barbara Windsor Celebrates...

Barbara Windsor Celebrates...

  • Radio factual
  • BBC Radio 2
  • 2017
  • 4 episodes (1 series)

Barbara Windsor looks back on some entertainment favourites.

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Series 1, Episode 2 - Danny La Rue

Barbara Windsor celebrates the life of Danny La Rue.

Further details

Daniel Patrick Carroll began acting in female roles when he was a boy evacuated from London during the war. John Gielguld, the great classical actor saw Danny in the Navy in a female role in Singapore and recommended a professional stage career.

After the war, Danny La Rue (as he was now known) built a reputation in nightclub revues alongside Barry Cryer, Ronnie Corbett, Victor Spinetti and... Barbara Windsor (Barbara and Danny became life-long friends). This led Danny to open his own highly successful Mayfair nightclub which attracted Royalty, the Underworld and the crème de la crème of show-business.

Danny was a workaholic and at the height of his popularity from the 1960's to the 1980's, he regularly appeared on the West End Stage in musicals tailored for him; in his own spectacular West End Variety shows which ran for years; in Summer Season, Pantomime and on Radio, Records, TV and on the Big Screen.

Danny was hit hard financially in the 1980's by unfortunate property investments and instead of taking a well-earned retirement, he was forced to work on to pay the bills, despite recurring health problems. Danny La Rue passed away in 2009.

New interviews include: Barry Cryer, Denis Norden, Richard Mawbey (Danny's hairdresser and personal assistant), Annie Galbraith (Danny's dressmaker and personal friend), Toni Palmer, Victor Spinetti, agent Laurie Mansfield, Russell Davies, Johnny Mans and from the archive... Danny La Rue himself.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 10th January 2017
Time
10pm
Channel
BBC Radio 2
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Barbara Windsor Host / Presenter
Guest cast
Barry Cryer Self
Denis Norden Self
Russell Davies Self
Richard Mawbey Self
Johnny Mans Self
Annie Galbraith Self
Toni Palmer Self
Victor Spinetti Self
Laurie Mansfield Self
Danny La Rue Self (Archive Material)
Production team
Graham Pass Producer

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