First broadcast 2nd August 1951, this variety show advertised as a 'light-hearted blend of comedy and music' was hosted by Derek Roy for the BBC Light Programme and went out at 21:00.

Tony starred as Mr. Ponsonby in 'an improbably series of adventures', alongside Graham Clark as Creep, Peter Butterworth as Bottrell, and Bill Kerr as Dillbery - The Eager Beavers.

With a regular series of guests and public interviews, alongside other regular sketches such as The Naughty Ninties and Rhapsody at Random, the show was not a success.

By October, the show was hemorrhaging writers, Richard Speer (the producer) had suffered a nervous breakdown, and Tony's sketch series was perceived as so dreadful that Tony himself begged for it to be removed from broadcast. But the BBC kept the show running until its conclusion and did its best to salvage the situation.

Bringing on Dennis Main Wilson to produce, Dennis brought the cast and crew together to discuss the issues faced. He brought on two young men, who had been selling jokes to Roy for shillings, as writers for the series. For Galton and Simpson, this was arguably the start of their long and productive relationship with Tony, who saw Benny Hill and Frances King rehearsing a sketch written by Ray and Alan. 'Did you write this?' he asked, Alan Simpson recounts, and when affirmed he simply said 'Very funny.'

Months later Tony got in touch to commission Ray Galton and Alan Simpson to write a 5-10 minute sketch for him for Workers Playtime, a show requiring the performer to provide their own material.

Suzette Tarri

Actor

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