Charlie Drake

Charles Edward Springall (19 June 1925 – 23 December 2006), known professionally as Charlie Drake, was an English comedian, actor, writer and singer.

With his small stature (5 ft 1 in or 155 cm tall), curly red hair and liking for slapstick, he was a popular comedian with children in his early years. He had a successful career in television, film and theatre between the 1950s and 1980s, becoming nationally known for his "Hello, my darlings!" catchphrase.

Born Charles Edward Springall in the Elephant and Castle, Southwark, south London, the son of a street trader, he took his mother's maiden name for the stage and, later, film and television, achieving success as a comedian. Aged eight, he won a chorus place in a Harry Champion music hall production. He left school and home aged 14 to become an electrician's mate while attempting to break into showbusiness.

Drake made his first appearance on stage at the age of eight, and after leaving school toured working men's clubs. After serving in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, Drake turned professional and made his television début in The Centre Show in 1953. He then joined his wartime comrade Jack Edwardes to form a double act, named 'Mick and Montmorency'; the pair appeared regularly on children's television, and in 1954 Drake appeared with Bob Monkhouse and Denis Goodwin in their BBC Television Service sketch comedy show, Fast and Loose.

He starred in the television shows Laughter in Store (1957), Drake's Progress (1957–58), Charlie Drake In… (1958 to 1960) and The Charlie Drake Show (1960 to 1961). He wrote many of his own scripts, and established a regular opening catchphrase, "Hello, my darlings!" He became one of the most successful comedy performers of the time, and appeared regularly in pantomimes. He also recorded several hit singles and appeared in character in relatively high-budget British films including Sands of the Desert (1960) and Petticoat Pirates (1961).

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.