Radio and Television Personalities B

Jim Backus
1913 - 1989

This U.S. comedy actor played opposite Joan Davis (qv) in TV's 'I Married Joan', starred in Gilligan's Island and voiced Mr Magoo in the film cartoon series of that name.

Hilda Baker
1908 - 1986

Manchester comed-ienne who did an act with her silent stooge Cynthia, and was in 'Nearest And Dearest' with Jimmy Jewel (qv). Also did film and stage drama. Catch phrases: 'She knows, y'know!' and 'Be So-ooon'.

(Sir) Stanley Baker
1927 - 1986

Welsh-born actor, mainly in films, made a notable TV appearance on BBC in 1956 as Mr Rochester in 'Jane Eyre' with Daphne Slater (qv) in the title role.

Lucille Ball
1911 - 1989

Star of long-running television hit show 'I Love Lucy' shown on ITV from 1951 to 1957 in which she appeared with husband Desi Arnaz (qv).

Vincent Ball
1923 -

Australian-born film and TV actor in 'Compact' soap in 1960s, also introduced child-ren's programmes on ATV in the 1950s.

(Sir) Roger Bannister
1929 -

While studying medicine in 1954 became the world's first runner to run the mile in four minutes. Did some athletics commentaries on BBC.

Eric Barker
1912 - 1990

Popular radio ('Merry-Go-Round') and television ('The Eric Barker Half-Hour') comedy performer who often appeared with his wife Pearl Hackney (qv). Their shows also included 'Waterlogged Spa', 'Just Fancy', and 'Rooftop Rendezvous'.

Isobel Barnet
1918 - ?

Scottish-born Lady Isobel Barnet was a former doctor of medicine who joined the panel of 'What's My Line' in 1953 and was a popular panellist for several years.

Patrick Barr
1908 - 1985

This Indian-born actor, appeared regularly on radio and TV and made several films.

Hilda Barry
1885 - 1979

Actress who made numerous TV appearances in everything from 'Quatermasss' to 'Dixon of Dock Green'.

Alfie Bass
1920 - 1987

Radio, television, stage and film actor who appeared in TV's popular comedy series 'The Army Game' and its spin-off 'Bootsie and Snudge'.

Raymond Baxter
1922 - 2006

Ex-RAF fighter pilot who became a well-known face on television as a commentator who covered a wide variety of events, including state occasions, as well as motor sport. Also presented BBC TV's popular 'Tomorrow's World.

Sally Bazely
1932 -

Stage and TV actress. On TV in 'The Crimson Rambler' and 'Ups And Downs'.

Robert Beatty
1909 - 1922

Canadian-born film and TV actor who also introduced BBC TV's 'Saturday Night Out' which was a 1950's live outside broadcast featuring a different event every week.

Jill Bennett
1931 - 1990

Malayan-born actress who after an appearance on radio's 'Dick Barton' appeared in many films and on televison.

George Benson
1911 - 1983

Welsh-born actor seen on stage, television and in films.

Michael Bentine
1922 - 1996

Original Goon Show performer and writer who developed his own brand of humour in 'It's A Square World' on TV, and later with the 'Telegoons' and 'The Bumblies'.

Dick Bentley
1907 - 1995

Australian-born comedian who came from straight-acting to comedy shows like radio's 'Take It From Here'. Also appeared in a few films.

Harold Berens
1903 - 1995

Scots-born comedy actor who appeared in 'Ignorance Is Bliss' on radio and in 'It Pays To be Ignorant' on TV in the 1950s. Appeared in many films too.

David Berglas
1926 -

One of the first magicians to appear on TV and one of the most sophisticated and accomplished perfomers of magic.

Gwen Berryman
1906 - 1983

Former singer who became famous as Doris Archer in radio's long-running serial 'The Archers' from 1951 to 1980.

The Beverley Sisters
? - ? ? - ? ? - ?

Britain's singing sisters, centre is the eldest, Joy, with Teddie and Babs identical twins. On radio, televison, cabaret and on records they were the most popular UK singing group of the 1950's.

Stanley Black
1913 - 2002

Pianist and band-leader, appearing with the BBC Dance Orchestra who made many records. Also composed and arranged music, including the music scores for many films.

Honor Blackman
1927 -

Film and TV actress who was starred as John Steed's first female partner Cathy Gale in 'The Avengers' series on TV opposite Patrick MacNee'.

Kitty Bluett
1922 -

A former disc-jockey and radio performer who was Ted Ray's radio wife in the long-running series of 'Ray's A Laugh' on the BBC.

Derek Bond
1920 -

Scots-born actor who appeared on stage, in films and on television where he presented Picture Parade with Peter Haigh (qv).

Issy Bonn
1903 -

Singer with several best-selling records, who broadcast frequently in variety shows. Appears behind Paul McCartney on the famous Beatles album cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Webster Booth
1901 -1984

With wife Anne Ziegler (qv), sang duets and intro-duced their act with the song 'Only a Rose'.

Sir Robert Boothby
1900 - 1986

Scots born gravel - voiced politician and veteran of many radio and TV broadcasts, including 'Brains Trust'. Later Lord Boothby.

Victor Borge
1909 - 2000

Danish-born comedian and classically trained pianist, whose popularity followed him to America on radio shows, became world famous for his comedy-with-music routine.

Eve Boswell
1924 -

Popular South African-born singer who had some hit records, Sugar Bush and Pickin' A Chicken, in the 1950s and who broadcast regularly.

Catherine 'Katie' Boyle
? -

Italian-born, she appeared on quiz shows and on 'What's My Line' and 'Juke Box Jury' as well as presenting the Eurovision Song Contest.

Julia Braddock
1927 -

Actress who appeared in 'Mrs Dale's Diary'.

Bernard Braden
1916 - 1993

Canadian-born, married to Barbara Kelly (qv). Originally a straight actor who succeeded as a comedian in 'Breakfast With Braden' and other radio and TV shows.

Owen Brannigan
1908 - 1973

Annitsford, North-umberland-born operatic bass who sang at Sadler's Wells, Glynde-bourne and Covent Garden, also appearing on radio and television. Sang in a popular (and much requested) TV commercial for Newcastle Brown Ale.

Alan Breeze
1909 - 1980

Classically trained vocalist with Billy Cotton (qv) for 40 years, appearing on 'The Billy Cotton Bandshow' on radio and TV.

Tony Britton
1924 -

Popular actor who appeared on stage, radio and television playing many leading roles, especially in comedy, and still acting. (2005)

Dr Jacob Bronowski
1908 - 1974

Polish-born, Cam-bridge graduate (mathematics), later receiving a doctorate. App-eared on 'The Brains Trust' and gave talks on scientific sub-jects, making the important BBC television series 'The Ascent Of Man', broadcast in 1973.

Michael Brooke
1904 -

Actor who later joined the BBC as a studio manager, eventually bec-oming an announ-cer on the Light Programme.

Peter Brough
1916 - 1999

Ventiloquist who achieved fame in the 1950s with his popular radio show 'Educating Archie'. Catch-phrase 'Oh! Get in there, Morton'. The show later transferred to TV. Also presented radio's 'Children's Favourites' record show in the 1950's. Peter Brough quit showbusiness in 1961.

Georgia Brown
1933 - 1992

Appeared many times singing in 'Variety Parade' and 'The Jack Jackson Show'. Remembered for her role as Nancy in the stage musical 'Oliver'. Was also seen in the 1970s television production of 'The Roads To Freedom'.

Janet Brown
1924 -

Scots-born com-edienne and a leading lady impersonator who worked in radio and TV with her own three shows in 1953. Also had some acting roles. Married to Peter Butterworth (qv)

Coral Brown
1913 - 1991

Australian-born actress, on stage, radio, televison and films.

Laidman Browne
1896 - 1961

Newcastle-born actor from where he broadcast on station 5NO in radio's early days. Many stage and television roles, also in films. Played Ted Ray's (qv) boss in 'Ray's A Laugh' on radio.

Brenda Bruce
1918 - 1996

Well-known actress who made many film and television appearances.

Dora Bryan
1924 -

Stage actress who had many successes, also appearing as character actress in several films and broadcasting regularly. On television in 'Our Dora' in 1956 and 'Happily Ever After' in 1961 and still performing. (2005)

Peter Bryant
1923 - 2006

Actor who played the role of Jack Grove in the popular 1950s television soap 'The Grove Family'. Later became a successful TV producer and director.

Hugh Burden
1913 - 1985

Sri Lankan-born actor and playwright with many radio, television and film appearances.

George Burns
1896 - 1996

Legendary American comedian/actor/singer who came from vaudeville to radio, television and films. Married Gracie Allen (qv) with whom he starred in 'The George Burns And Gracie Allen Show'.

Peter Butterworth
1919 - 1979

Comedian who appeared in children's TV in the 1950s, later a stalwart of the 'Carry On' films. Married to Janet Brown (qv).

Max Bygraves
1922 -

Popular entertainer who appeared on radio's 'Educating Archie' in 1950 which made his name and he became famous on stage and television, also making popular records and appearing in some films.