British Comedy Guide
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Graham McCann
Graham McCann

Graham McCann

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Graham McCann features - page 7

Robert Morley. Copyright: Allan Warren Features

Comedy Chronicles: The many meals of Robert Morley

Sunday 28th June 2020

Actor Robert Morley was a food-loving, larger-than-life physical on-screen presence; something from which his real, personal life would rarely waver.

Fenella Fielding Features

Comedy Chronicles: The ever-intriguing Fenella Fielding

Sunday 14th June 2020

We delve deep into the career of Fenella Fielding, the icon who eschewed the limelight at every possible opportunity.

Miles Malleson. Copyright: Warner Features

Comedy Chronicles: The Mission of Miles Malleson

Sunday 31st May 2020

In this week's Comedy Chronicles, Graham McCann looks at the remarkable life and mission of prolific screen actor Miles Malleson.

Joan Turner Features

Comedy Chronicles: Joan Turner's many songs for Europe

Sunday 17th May 2020

Joan Turner was once a multi-talented comic star, but alcohol and gambling lead to a sad decline in her fortunes - summarised in one not-so-succinct Eurovision endeavour...

It Ain't Half Hot Mum. Gunner 'Lofty' Sugden (Don Estelle). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: The Indomitable Don Estelle

Sunday 3rd May 2020

Graham McCann recounts the rise-and-fall from fame of Don Estelle, the sitcom star whose life was underpinned by an incredible amount of chutzpah.

Rex Harrison Features

Comedy Chronicles: Rex Harrison - His greatest hits

Sunday 19th April 2020

The jaw-dropping tale of Rex Harrison, who may have been one of Hollywood's biggest stars but elicited far more anger than admiration amongst those he met.

Hancock's Half Hour. Image shows from L to R: Sidney James (Sid James), Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock (Tony Hancock), Bill Kerr (Bill Kerr) Features

Comedy Chronicles: Stuck in the middle with you

Sunday 5th April 2020

We may be struggling with lockdown and isolation in contemporary Britain, but - as Graham McCann explains - our favourite sitcom characters have been coping with it for their whole lives.

Steptoe And Son. Image shows from L to R: Albert Steptoe (Wilfrid Brambell), Harold Steptoe (Harry H. Corbett). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: When Hancock met Steptoe

Sunday 22nd March 2020

Graham McCann reveals the fascinating true story of a very unlikely meeting between Tony Hancock and Harold & Albert Steptoe.

Bernie Winters and Schnorbitz the dog. Bernie Winters Features

Comedy Chronicles: Reasons to be Schnorbitz: 1, 2, 3

Sunday 8th March 2020

The curious case of the dog in the light entertainment business: Schnorbitz, erstwhile screen partner of Bernie Winters.

Steptoe And Son. Albert Steptoe (Wilfrid Brambell). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: Wilfrid Brambell - A brush with the law

Saturday 22nd February 2020

In the days when homosexual acts were illegal in Britain, Steptoe And Son star Wilfrid Brambell faced a criminal trial that could have destroyed his career.

The Clitheroe Kid. Jimmy (Jimmy Clitheroe). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: The TV trials of Jimmy Clitheroe

Wednesday 5th February 2020

Diminutive comic Jimmy Clitheroe was once one of radio's biggest stars: this is the story of his ill-fated attempts to make it in television.

For The Love Of Ada. Ada Cresswell/Bingley (Irene Handl). Copyright: Thames Television Features

Comedy Chronicles: The hidden world of Irene Handl

Wednesday 22nd January 2020

Irene Handl is fondly remembered for her plethora of stage and screen roles in the post-war years, but here's the tale of a much-forgotten career path.

The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin. Reginald Perrin (Leonard Rossiter). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: Leonard Rossiter - A difficult man

Sunday 12th January 2020

In this edition of Comedy Chronicles, Graham McCann looks at the remarkable career of actor Leonard Rossiter, and one fateful meeting that lost him a part in an iconic BBC sitcom.

Copyright Bristol Post. Cary Grant Features

Comedy Chronicles: Cary Grant, Christmas and comedy

Monday 23rd December 2019

Heard the one about Cary Grant and the traditional British pantomime?

Harry Worth. Harry (Harry Worth). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: When Harry met Harold

Tuesday 10th December 2019

In the run-up to the 2019 General Election, Graham McCann recounts the curious tale of Harold Wilson, Harry Worth, and two raincoats.

The Cracksman. Ernest Wright (Charlie Drake). Copyright: Associated British Picture Corporation Features

Comedy Chronicles: Charlie Drake

Wednesday 27th November 2019

Charlie Drake was a huge TV star during the 1960s and 70s, but is now largely overlooked. Graham McCann recounts the truth behind the diminutive comic and a string of career-changing accidents.

Graham McCann Features

Opening the Chronicles

Tuesday 26th November 2019

Comedy historian Graham McCann introduces his brand new British Comedy Guide column sharing interesting, untold and overlooked stories.

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