Larry Grayson

Larry Grayson, born William White in Banbury, Oxfordshire in 1923 was an English stand-up comedian and television presenter of the 1970s and early 80s. He is best remembered for hosting the BBC's popular series The Generation Game and for his high camp humour.

He was adopted by Alice and Jim Hammond and lived in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Alice died when he was six years old, and he was brought up by his eldest foster sister, Flo. When he was eight, he discovered that his "Aunt" Ethel was in fact his natural mother, though he always considered Flo as his mother.

He began professionally under the name of Billy Breen as a supporting drag act on the comedy club circuit. Over the next thirty years, he toured the UK in revues, drag shows and variety shows.

He did not achieve stardom until he was in his fifties and had his own television show. He was very popular in revue and working men's clubs with his anecdotal, observational style of comedy. It was usually based around his various "friends" such as Everard Farquarharson, Apricot Lil, Slack Alice, and the postman Pop-It-In Pete.

Following a hit run of guest spots on ATV's "Saturday Variety" shows in the early 1970s, he was rewarded by Lew Grade with his own award winning show, "Shut That Door!", (13 episodes) in 1972 and 1973, "The Larry Grayson Hour of Stars" in September 1974 and 14 episodes of "Larry Grayson" in 1975 and 1977.

Grayson's popularity peaked when he moved over to the BBC to present The Generation Game in 1978 which attracted audiences of over 18 million each week and ran until 1981. Grayson was assisted by Isla St Clair, whom he always referred to as "my lovely Isla". When his stint on the show finished, Grayson went into semi-retirement at his bungalow in Nuneaton with his beloved dog, although he did return to television to present the game show "Sweethearts" for ITV in 1987. A 60th Birthday tribute was screened on ITV on 26th August 1983 featuring clips of Larry visiting his old school, scenes at home and tributes from show-biz friends.

Grayson moved with Flo (his adoptive mother, who also happened to be his older sister) to Torquay, Devon as part of his semi-retirement, but moved back to Nuneaton after just a couple of years.

A permanent tribute to Larry Grayson was opened in April 2009 at the Riversley Park Museum, Nuneaton, with a display of personal memorabilia and items from his showbiz career including his trademark gold bentwood chair, a plaque from the star dressing room at the London Palladium, trophies, gifts and souvenir programmes as well as his attempt at the Potters Wheel from The Generation Game.

He was known for his catchphrases "shut that door!"
"What a gay day!"
"Seems like a nice boy...!"
(After running his finger along a surface)
"Look at the muck in 'ere!"

On New Year's Eve 1994, Grayson was rushed into hospital suffering from a perforated appendix. After being released home, Grayson died on 7 January 1995 in Nuneaton, at the age of 71.

Grayson's final public appearance was at the 1994 Royal Variety Performance. During this performance he referred to his absence from television, by commenting to the audience, "Yes, I am still alive!". His last words on stage were his catchphrase "Shut that door!" He is buried alongside other members of his family in his home town of Nuneaton.

His signature tune was "The Man That Got Away"