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Harry Secombe was one of Britain's best loved comic entertainers. Born in Swansea, South Wales he began singing as a child in local church choirs. His first job was as a clerk although he had considered a career in opera. During World War Two he served in the Army in North Africa and Italy. He met the comedian Spike Milligan while on duty in the Western desert and their common bond was a unique brand of humour. Secombe appeared in many troop concerts where he was known for his trademark high pitched laugh and blowing raspberries. After the war he appeared as a comic at London's famous Windmill Theatre and in 1945 became one of the stalwarts of the hugely successful radio series Educating Archie. His greatest popularity began in 1951 with the birth of radio's Crazy People, later to be renamed The Goon Show. One of the most famous radio comedy programmes of all time it helped launch the careers of Secombe, Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine.

Whilst the Goon Show was in its prime the comedy team made several films associated with the series including Down Among the Z Men (1952) and in 1955 Secombe had his own TV show, The Harry Secombe Show. His other popular TV shows, often written by Marty Feldman and Barry Cryer, included Secombe and Friends (1966) and Have a Harry Christmas (1977). On stage he had a long running success with Leslie Bricusse's Pickwick (1963) and he revived the show in the 1980s.

His most notable film work began with Davy (1957) in which he played a music hall performer who auditions for an opera at Convent Garden. It was meant as a star vehicle for him but was not a box office success. International audiences became familiar with him when he played Mr Bumble, the beadle in Oliver! (1968) and films such as The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins (1971) and Starstruck (1972).

Knighted in 1981 and much slimmed down after a serious attack of peritonitis, he continued to appear in concerts and on television as well as writing several volumes of autobiography. He toured Australia and in 1983 became the host of Highway, a weekly TV religious programme. This was Secombe toned down, far from his rollicking past and with no jokes, but it gave him a chance to sing seriously. The show ran for nearly ten years.

Ill health continually dogged the comedian in his final years and he battled with cancer and a severe stroke. He continued to appear on television, notably narrating D Day - The Official Story (1994) and presenting Top Ten Comedy Records (2000).

Harry Secombe in The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins (1971)

He was created a Knight Bachelor in the 1981 Queen&#39;s Birthday Honours List for his services to entertainment and charity.

He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1963 Queen&#39;s Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.

Harry Secombe was a member of the popular BBC radio
program of the 1950s, &quot;The Goon Show&quot;.

His son <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0781181/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Andy Secombe</a> is an actor.

A memorial service was held for him at Westminster Abbey, London on 26 October 2001.

Harry and his wife Myra had four children, <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0781181/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Andy Secombe</a>, <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm1535493/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Katy Secombe</a>, <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm4257438/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Jenny Giannini</a> and <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm4255774/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">David Secombe</a>. Their seven grandchildren included Jennifer&#39;s daughter <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm3115228/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Emily Secombe</a> and David&#39;s daughter <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm5362489/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Florence Secombe</a>.

Is portrayed by <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0671487/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Steve Pemberton</a> in <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/title/tt0352520/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)</a>.

Godfather of <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0186048/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Wendy Craig</a>&#39;s older son, Alaster Bentley.

Suffered a stroke in 1997, and another in 1999.

Uncle of <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0781182/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Christine Secombe</a>.

Was nominated for Broadway&#39;s 1966 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical)
for &quot;Pickwick.&quot;

Children David born 1962, Katie born 1967, Jenny.

He was in the army during WW11 and served in Africa and Italy.

Shared a flat in Notting Hill, London with Spike Milligan and Norman Vaughan.

Made a tv series about 1953/4 Secombe Here.

Was made an honary Doctor of Music by Swansea University.

Trivia

Harry Secombe

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