Harry Secombe
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Sir Harry Donald Secombe, CBE (8 September 1921–11 April 2001) was a Welsh entertainer with a noted fine tenor singing voice and a talent for comedy.
Born at St. Thomas, Swansea, he was one of the original Goons, appearing in the radio series as Neddie Seagoon, the protagonist of the show's ridiculous plots. He had first met Spike Milligan, the founder of the series, during British Army service in World War II in North Africa. He shared his birthday, 8 September, with the other member of the trio, Peter Sellers.
Secombe appeared in many stage musicals, including Pickwick (1963) and The Four Musketeers (1967), and had several chart successes, the song most associated with him being "If I Ruled the World" (from Pickwick). He also appeared as Mr. Bumble in Carol Reed's film of Lionel Bart's Oliver! (1968).
Later in life, Secombe (whose brother was a vicar) attracted new audiences as a presenter of religious programmes, such as the BBC's Songs of Praise and ITV's Highway. He was also a special programming consultant to Harlech Television.
He was knighted in 1981, and jokingly referred to himself as Sir Cumference (in recognition of his rotund figure). Comedian Vic Reeves mentioned Secombe in his 1991 song Meals On Wheels ("Harry Secombe wants his pie and peas").
Secombe suffered a stroke in 1997, from which he made a slow recovery, only to be diagnosed with prostate cancer the following September. After suffering a second stroke in 1999, he was forced to abandon his television career, but made a documentary about his condition in the hope of giving encouragement to other sufferers.
Secombe and his wife, Myra Atherton, had four children:
- Jennifer Secombe, married to actor Alex Giannini. She was also her father's agent.
- Andy Secombe, an accomplished voice and film actor, as well as an author
- David Secombe, a writer and photographer
- Katy Secombe, an actress
Singles
- On with the Motley (1955) UK #16
- If I Ruled the World (1963) UK #18
- This Is My Song (1967) UK #2Guinness Book of British Hit Singles, 7th ed., 1989
Albums
- Sacred Songs (1962) UK #16
- Secombe's Personal Choice (1967) UK #6
- If I Ruled the World (1971) UK #17
- 20 Songs of Joy (1978) UK #8Guinness Book of British Hit Albums 1st ed., 1983 ISBN 0851122469
References
External links
| The Goon Show |
|---|
| The Goons |
| Michael Bentine • Spike Milligan • Harry Secombe • Peter Sellers |
| Other Contributors |
| Ray Ellington • Max Geldray • Wallace Greenslade • Wally Stott |
| Radio & TV Series |
| The Goon Show • The Telegoons |
| Films |
| Let's Go Crazy • Penny Points to Paradise • Down Among the Z Men • The Case of the Mukkinese Battle Horn • The Running, Jumping and Standing Still Film |
| Characters |
| Major Bloodnok • Bluebottle • Henry Crun and Minnie Bannister • Eccles • Hercules Grytpype-Thynne • Count Jim Moriarty • Neddie Seagoon |
| General information |
| Cast members • Archiving • Episodes |
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