Cleo Laine obit

Veteran jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine dies aged 97

 She was not on the list.

Jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine, famous for her huge vocal range and wide musical repertoire, has died at the age of 97.

In a long career, Dame Cleo was the first British singer to win a Grammy Award in a jazz category and performed with all the greats - including Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra.

However, her greatest collaborator was her husband, late musician and composer John Dankworth, with whom she established her career in the 1950s.

They also set up the Stables arts centre in Buckinghamshire, which said in a statement it was "greatly saddened today by the news that one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away".

David Meadowcroft, chairman of the Stables charity, said: "Dame Cleo was a remarkable performer who was loved by audiences around the world and her commitment to ensuring young people had access to great music and music education will continue through the work of The Stables."

Chief executive and artistic director Monica Ferguson said: "Dame Cleo was admired greatly by fans, other musicians and by The Stables staff and volunteers.

"She will be greatly missed but her unique talent will always be remembered."

With her electric green eyes, corkscrew hair and husky contralto voice, Dame Cleo became the most recognisable British jazz singer in history.

She had a four-octave vocal range and the ability to perform everything from Schoenberg to a Spike Milligan hit about a man with too many tonsils.

One critic said that she was one of Britain's two great contributions to jazz - the other being gin.

And the Sunday Times once described her as "quite simply the best singer in the world."

Clementina Dinah Hitching was born in Southall, Middlesex on 28 October 1927.

Her father was a Jamaican World War One veteran, Alex Campbell. He worked (occasionally) as a labourer and - with money always short - sang on the streets to help put food on the table.

Her mother, Minnie Hitching, was a farmer's daughter from Swindon - disowned by her parents who disapproved of interracial relationships.

Clemantina's parents didn't marry until after she was born, so her mother's maiden name was used on the birth certificate.

Somehow her parents found the money to pay for music lessons, and she spent time listening to her brother Alexander's jazz records.

She began singing at local community functions from the age of three, and set her sights on an acting career.

"I desperately wanted to have something to do with performing," she later said. "If I wasn't going to be on stage, then I was going to sweep it for a living."

She made her first film appearance at the age of 12 as an urchin in Alexander Korda's film The Thief of Baghdad in 1940.

With her parents divorced and little money coming in, young Clemantine was forced to leave school at the age of 14.

She took a variety of wartime jobs including working in a hairdressers, as a hat maker and - finally - in a pawnbroker's shop.

In 1947, she married a roofer, George Langridge, and had a son, Stuart - but continued to audition for singing roles.

It took years for her talent to be recognised. She went to dozens of auditions but recalled that "a fat soprano singing Madame Butterfly rather badly always won".

She received an invitation in 1951 to try out with the Johnny Dankworth Seven, an established jazz group.

The future star turned up wearing a fur coat in the heat of summer and gave it her best shot.

"I think she's got something", said Dankworth.

"She's got everything," replied trumpeter Jimmy Deuchar.

Dankworth offered her a job at £6 week, but she held out for £7.

Because her name was too long to fit on posters, the band put some shorter alternatives into a hat.

'Cleo' and 'Laine' got pulled out. So, Cleo Laine she became.

Newly christened, she became known for scat singing, a vocal style that originated with ragtime - which enabled her to improvise melodies using her voice as an instrument.

By 1958, she had divorced Langridge and married Dankworth.

"I guess he married me because he wanted a cheap singer," she quipped. "But what he got was an expensive wife."

However, she also felt there was a danger she would remain a singer in the band for the rest of her life.

Accordingly, she successfully auditioned for the part of Della in Flesh To A Tiger, a play set in Jamaica.

It was staged at London's Royal Court Theatre and was directed by famous actor Tony Richardson, who - at the time - was unaware of her career as a singer.

The critics loved her performance and it led to a string of stage appearances including A Time to Laugh with Robert Morley and her acclaimed portrayal of Julie in the 1971 production of Show Boat.

She continued to sing and had a top 10 hit in 1961 with You'll Answer Me, recorded while she was performing in Kurt Weill's opera/ballet The Seven Deadly Sins.

In 1964, the album Shakespeare and All That Jazz, recorded with her husband on clarinet and saxophone, was released to critical acclaim.

She launched her international career in 1972 with a tour of Australia, but a stopover performance in America on the way home failed to attract much of an audience.

However, she returned - at US jazz musician Duke Ellington's invitation - and received gushing reviews from critics. In the following year, she sold out Carnegie Hall.

"The British, who have been dropping one rock group after another on us for years, have meanwhile been hoarding what must be one of their national treasures," said the New York Times.

Laine went on to tour America every year, picking up several Grammy nominations, and becoming the first artist to be nominated in both the pop and classical genres.

She finally won a Grammy for the live recording of a concert at Carnegie Hall in 1983.

"Yes, I was very honoured," she said afterwards.

"But you see, I have been nominated for a Grammy five times, so my enthusiasm is, well, tempered by experience."

Awarded an OBE in 1979, she became a dame in 1997 - an honour she hesitated to accept, finally deciding to do so "for jazz".

Together with her husband, she set up The Stables, which aimed to introduce music to as many people as possible and break down the barriers between genres.

The Stables theatre, set up in the grounds of their home in Buckinghamshire, saw performances from artists ranging from Cerys Matthews to Courtney Pine.

In February 2010, just hours before the couple were due to perform a concert to celebrate 40 years of The Stables, John Dankworth died.

Dame Cleo and other family members went on with the concert, only announcing the death to a stunned audience at the end of the show.

A month later, their final recording together, Jazz Matters, was released.

In the years that followed his death, she continued to perform either solo or with her children Jacqui and Alec, who had both become musicians.

In 2024, she saw her granddaughter Emily embark on her own career as a professional singer.

Even in her 90s, Dame Cleo gave occasional concerts - with one reviewer remarking on how she remained a "warm and witty human being, capable of transfixing her audience with those flashing eyes and spontaneous laughter".

"I want to keep on going unless my voice develops a wobble, for as long as people want to hear me sing," she said in an interview months after Dankworth's death.

"Singing", she added, is "the one thing that keeps me going, really."

Actress

Ian Holm, Judi Dench, and Olympia Dukakis in The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (2000)

The Last of the Blonde Bombshells

7.1

TV Movie

Gwen

2000

 

Great Performances (1971)

Great Performances

7.9

TV Series

Night Club Singer

1993

1 episode

 

Timothy Dalton and Roy Kinnear in The Three Princes (1968)

The Three Princes

9.3

TV Movie

The Voice of Scheherazade (voice)

1968

 

I Gotta Shoe, or Cindy-Ella

TV Movie

1966

 

Paasparade

TV Movie

Singer

1964

 

Vivien Leigh and Warren Beatty in The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (1961)

The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone

6.4

Singer

1961

 

The Third Alibi (1961)

The Third Alibi

7.0

Singer

1961

 

Blackout (1954)

Blackout

6.2

Singer (uncredited)

1954

 

The Thief of Bagdad (1940)

The Thief of Bagdad

7.4

Urchin in Bagdad Market (uncredited)

1940

 

Music Department

No Strings (1989)

No Strings

7.7

TV Series

singer: theme song

1989

7 episodes

 

Soundtrack

John Dankworth in Sir John Dankworth at the BBC (2010)

Sir John Dankworth at the BBC

TV Movie

performer: "Woman Talk", "Unlucky Woman (Born On Friday)", "Twos Company", "Make Someone Happy", "Crazy Rhythm", "Fine and Mellow"

2010

 

Paul O'Grady in The Paul O'Grady Show (2004)

The Paul O'Grady Show

5.3

TV Series

performer: "On A Slow Boat to China"performer: "Peel Me a Grape"

2007–2009

2 episodes

 

Kyle MacLachlan, Kris Holden-Ried, Suleka Mathew, and Jimi Mistry in Touch of Pink (2004)

Touch of Pink

6.4

performer: "The Lies of Handsome Men"

2004

 

Ian Holm, Judi Dench, and Olympia Dukakis in The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (2000)

The Last of the Blonde Bombshells

7.1

TV Movie

performer: "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)", "Taking a Chance on Love", "When the World was Young" (Le Chevalier de Paris)

2000

 

Michael J. Fox, Justine Bateman, Meredith Baxter, Tina Yothers, and Michael Gross in Family Ties (1982)

Family Ties

7.3

TV Series

performer: "Embraceable You" (uncredited)

1989

1 episode

 

Great Performances (1971)

Great Performances

7.9

TV Series

performer: "Somebody Loves Me"

1987

1 episode

 

The 40th Annual Tony Awards (1986)

The 40th Annual Tony Awards

7.4

TV Special

performer: "Hello, Young Lovers", "There You Are", "Don't Quit While You're Ahead"

1986

 

Together (1980)

Together

6.8

TV Series

performer: "Together"

1981

25 episodes

 

Top of the Pops (1964)

Top of the Pops

6.9

TV Series

lyrics: "He Was Beautiful (Cavatina) (The Theme From The Deer Hunter)"performer: "Feelings" (Pour Toi)

1977–1979

3 episodes

 

Frank Oz, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, Kathryn Mullen, Jerry Nelson, and Steve Whitmire in The Muppet Show (1976)

The Muppet Show

8.4

TV Series

performer: "It Don't Mean a Thing", "You're Just In Love", "If"

1978

1 episode

 

Monsanto Night Presents Benny Goodman

TV Special

performer: "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter"

1974

 

Tony Bennett at the Talk of the Town

TV Mini Series

performer: "On a Clear Day", "(I Want to) Make It With You", "When You're Smiling"

1972

1 episode

 

Tom Jones in This Is Tom Jones (1969)

This Is Tom Jones

7.7

TV Series

performer: "Don't Ask Me"

1969

1 episode

 

Tommy Quickly in Thank Your Lucky Stars (1961)

Thank Your Lucky Stars

7.7

TV Series

performer: "We Should Have"

1966

1 episode

 

The Idol (1966)

The Idol

5.4

performer: "Empty Arms And Empty Heart"

1966

 

Scruggs

performer: "Life Is A Wheel"

1965

 

Jazz 625 (1961)

Jazz 625

8.8

TV Series

performer: "Big Foot", "Dewey Square", "Oh, Lady, Be Good", "I've Got A Right To Sing The Blues", "The Exciting Mr. Fitch", "Smart Alec", "Dunsinane Blues, "Mark I", "Woman Talk", "Little Boats", "This Can't Be Love"

1965

1 episode

 

Arthur Haynes and Nicholas Parsons in The Arthur Haynes Show (1956)

The Arthur Haynes Show

6.9

TV Series

performer: "Love You Madly"performer: "I Want to Be Happy", "It Looks Like They're in Love"

1963–1964

2 episodes

 

Dirk Bogarde, James Fox, and Sarah Miles in The Servant (1963)

The Servant

7.8

Soundtrack ("All Gone")

1963

 

The Third Alibi (1961)

The Third Alibi

7.0

performer: "NOW AND THEN"

1961

 

Kraft Mystery Theater (1961)

Kraft Mystery Theater

7.8

TV Series

performer: "Now And Then"

1961

1 episode

 

A Taste of Honey (1961)

A Taste of Honey

7.4

performer: "Let's Slip Away" (uncredited)

1961

 

The Concrete Jungle (1960)

The Concrete Jungle

6.8

performer: "Prison Ballad (Thieving Boy)"

1960

 

Six-Five Special (1958)

Six-Five Special

5.8

performer: "What Am I Going to Tell Them Tonight?"

1958

 

Blackout (1954)

Blackout

6.2

performer: "St. Louis Blues" (uncredited)

1954

 

Self

Cleo Laine in Cleo Laine: The Unseen Home Movies (2022)

Cleo Laine: The Unseen Home Movies

TV Special

2022

 

Jazz 625 Live: For One Night Only (2019)

Jazz 625 Live: For One Night Only

TV Special

Self (Special guest) (as Dame Cleo Laine)

2019

 

Portrait Artist of the Year (2013)

Portrait Artist of the Year

8.2

TV Series

Self - Sitter

2019

1 episode

 

Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things (2019)

Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things

7.0

Self

2019

 

VE Day: Remembering Victory (2015)

VE Day: Remembering Victory

7.8

TV Movie

Self - Aged 17 on VE Day

2015

 

John Ogdon: Living with Genius

TV Movie

Self - Singer

2014

 

In Confidence (2010)

In Confidence

8.4

TV Series

Self

2011

1 episode

 

John Dankworth in Sir John Dankworth at the BBC (2010)

Sir John Dankworth at the BBC

TV Movie

Self - Host

2010

 

Breakfast (2000)

Breakfast

5.2

TV Series

Self - Singer (as Dame Cleo Laine)

2010

1 episode

 

Paul O'Grady in The Paul O'Grady Show (2004)

The Paul O'Grady Show

5.3

TV Series

Self (as Dame Cleo Laine)

2007–2009

2 episodes

 

Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me (2009)

Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me

8.0

TV Movie

Self

2009

 

Kaye Adams, Nadia Sawalha, Ruth Langsford, and Charlene White in Loose Women (1999)

Loose Women

2.2

TV Series

Self

2008

1 episode

 

Jools Holland in Later... With Jools Holland (1992)

Later... With Jools Holland

8.2

TV Series

Self

2007

1 episode

 

Legends (2006)

Legends

6.9

TV Series

Self

2007

1 episode

 

Jazz Aid

TV Special

Self - Vocal

2006

 

Sunday AM (2005)

Sunday AM

6.4

TV Series

Self

2006

1 episode

 

Victoria Wood in Victoria Wood: A BAFTA Tribute (2005)

Victoria Wood: A BAFTA Tribute

6.3

TV Special

Self

2005

 

Spike Milligan: I Told You I Was Ill... - A Live Tribute (2002)

Spike Milligan: I Told You I Was Ill... - A Live Tribute

7.5

TV Movie

Self - Musician (as Dame Cleo Laine)

2002

 

I Love Muppets (2002)

I Love Muppets

8.2

TV Special

Self

2002

 

Preview with Katy Manning

TV Series

Self

2001–2008

 

Eamonn Andrews in This Is Your Life (1955)

This Is Your Life

6.5

TV Series

Filmed TributeSelf

1962–2001

6 episodes

 

The 11 O'Clock Show (1998)

The 11 O'Clock Show

7.2

TV Series

Self

2000

1 episode

 

Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (1966)

Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon

6.8

TV Series

Self

1982–1998

2 episodes

 

Biography (1987)

Biography

7.7

TV Series

Self

1998

1 episode

 

Arena (1975)

Arena

7.7

TV Series

Self - Singer

1998

1 episode

 

Joy to the World

TV Movie

Self

1996

 

Call My Bluff

6.1

TV Series

Self

1996

1 episode

 

Great Love Songs

TV Movie

Self

1995

 

Bruce Forsyth in The Generation Game (1971)

The Generation Game

6.5

TV Series

Self - Guest Judge

1992

1 episode

 

Han Reiziger in Reiziger in Muziek (1989)

Reiziger in Muziek

TV Series

Self - Singer

1989

1 episode

 

Benny Carter, David Sanborn, and Stanley Jordan in The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Show (1987)

The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Show

TV Special

Self

1987

 

Great Performances (1971)

Great Performances

7.9

TV Series

Self

1987

1 episode

 

Terry Wogan in Wogan (1982)

Wogan

6.1

TV Series

Self

1986

1 episode

 

The 40th Annual Tony Awards (1986)

The 40th Annual Tony Awards

7.4

TV Special

Self - Nominee & Performer

1986

 

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

7.0

TV Special

Self

1985

 

Des O'Connor Tonight (1977)

Des O'Connor Tonight

5.9

TV Series

Self

1981–1985

3 episodes

 

Evening at Pops (1970)

Evening at Pops

6.8

TV Series

Self

1981–1985

2 episodes

 

Michael Parkinson in Parkinson in Australia (1979)

Parkinson in Australia

6.6

TV Series

Self

1983

2 episodes

 

Six Fifty-Five Special (1981)

Six Fifty-Five Special

TV Series

Self

1981–1983

2 episodes

 

The Val Doonican Music Show

6.2

TV Series

Self

1980–1983

3 episodes

 

Cleo and John

TV Movie

Self

1982

 

London Night Out (1978)

London Night Out

TV Series

Self

1982

1 episode

 

Secombe with Music

TV Series

Self

1981

1 episode

 

Joyce Grenfell 1910-1979

7.7

TV Movie

Self

1980

 

Song by Song (1977)

Song by Song

7.8

TV Series

Self - Music Performer

1980

1 episode

 

Royal Variety Performance (1980)

Royal Variety Performance

TV Special

Self

1980

 

The Monte Carlo Show

7.4

TV Series

Self

1980

1 episode

 

Pebble Mill at One (1972)

Pebble Mill at One

6.4

TV Series

Self

1980

1 episode

 

The John Davidson Show (1980)

The John Davidson Show

4.8

TV Series

Self

1980

1 episode

 

Horas doradas (1980)

Horas doradas

5.6

TV Series

Self

1980

1 episode

 

Mike Douglas in The Mike Douglas Show (1961)

The Mike Douglas Show

7.1

TV Series

Self - Jazz PerformerSelfSelf - Jazz Vocalist ...

1972–1979

8 episodes

 

Bonkers! (1978)

Bonkers!

6.4

TV Series

Self

1979

1 episode

 

Big Night (1978)

Big Night

4.5

TV Series

SelfSelf - Guest

1978

2 episodes

 

Multi-Coloured Swap Shop (1976)

Multi-Coloured Swap Shop

6.8

TV Series

Self

1978

1 episode

 

Frank Oz, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, Kathryn Mullen, Jerry Nelson, and Steve Whitmire in The Muppet Show (1976)

The Muppet Show

8.4

TV Series

Self - Special Guest Star

1978

1 episode

 

The Paul Ryan Show (1977)

The Paul Ryan Show

5.8

TV Series

Self

1977–1992

1 episode

 

America Salutes the Queen (1977)

America Salutes the Queen

8.0

TV Special

Self

1977

 

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie in Today (1952)

Today

4.6

TV Series

Self

1973–1977

4 episodes

 

Merv Griffin in The Merv Griffin Show (1962)

The Merv Griffin Show

6.6

TV Series

Self

1973–1977

3 episodes

 

Johnny Carson in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

8.5

TV Series

SelfSelf - GuestSelf - Musical Guest

1964–1977

5 episodes

 

Heart and Soul

TV Movie

Self

1977

 

Night of 100 Stars

TV Special

Self

1977

 

Top of the Pops (1964)

Top of the Pops

6.9

TV Series

Self

1977

1 episode

 

Sammy and Company (1975)

Sammy and Company

7.7

TV Series

Self

1976

1 episode

 

Bob Monkhouse in Celebrity Squares (1975)

Celebrity Squares

5.4

TV Series

Self

1975

1 episode

 

The Les Dawson Show (1975)

The Les Dawson Show

7.9

TV Special

Self

1975

 

Festival of Entertainment

TV Series

Self

1975

1 episode

 

Cotton Club '75

TV Special

Self

1974

 

Dinah Shore in Dinah! (1974)

Dinah!

7.0

TV Series

Self

1974

1 episode

 

Diana Ross in BBC Show of the Week (1965)

BBC Show of the Week

8.7

TV Series

Self

1974

1 episode

 

Monsanto Night Presents Benny Goodman

TV Special

Self

1974

 

Russell Harty Plus (1972)

Russell Harty Plus

7.6

TV Series

Self

1974

1 episode

 

The Jack Jones Show

TV Series

Self

1974

1 episode

 

The 27th Annual Tony Awards (1973)

The 27th Annual Tony Awards

TV Special

Self - Presenter

1973

 

Michael Parkinson in Parkinson (1971)

Parkinson

7.3

TV Series

Self

1972

1 episode

 

The Dick Cavett Show (1968)

The Dick Cavett Show

8.3

TV Series

Self

1972

1 episode

 

Aquarius (1970)

Aquarius

6.9

TV Series

Self

1972

1 episode

 

Tony Bennett at the Talk of the Town

TV Mini Series

Self - Singer

1972

1 episode

 

He Said, She Said

TV Series

Self

1972

1 episode

 

Late Night Line-Up (1964)

Late Night Line-Up

6.8

TV Series

SelfSelf - PresenterSelf - Singer

1968–1972

3 episodes

 

David Nixon in The David Nixon Show (1972)

The David Nixon Show

7.1

TV Series

Self - Guest

1972

1 episode

 

David Frost in The David Frost Show (1969)

The David Frost Show

7.2

TV Series

Self

1969–1972

3 episodes

 

Rolf Harris in The Rolf Harris Show (1967)

The Rolf Harris Show

5.1

TV Series

Self

1972

1 episode

 

One Man's Week (1971)

One Man's Week

TV Series

Self

1971

2 episodes

 

The Golden Shot (1967)

The Golden Shot

7.0

TV Series

Self - SingerSelf

1971

2 episodes

 

Music Now

TV Series

Self

1971

1 episode

 

Vincent Price Is in the Country

TV Movie

Self

1971

 

The Young Generation in The Young Generation (1970)

The Young Generation

TV Series

Self - Guest

1970

1 episode

 

Max

TV Series

Self

1970

1 episode

 

Jazz Scene at the Ronnie Scott Club (1969)

Jazz Scene at the Ronnie Scott Club

TV Series

Self - Vocals

1969

2 episodes

 

Getting Sentimental Over You

TV Movie

Self

1969

 

Peter Sarstedt in Peter Sarstedt (1969)

Peter Sarstedt

TV Series

Self

1969

1 episode

 

Richard Neville in How It Is (1968)

How It Is

7.8

TV Series

Self

1969

1 episode

 

Tom Jones in This Is Tom Jones (1969)

This Is Tom Jones

7.7

TV Series

Self

1969

1 episode

 

Duke Ellington in Love You Madly: A Salute to Duke Ellington (1969)

Love You Madly: A Salute to Duke Ellington

TV Special

Self - Vocal

1969

 

The Talk of the Town

TV Series

Self

1969

1 episode

 

Marvelous Party!

TV Movie

Self

1969

 

Zur Nacht

TV Series

Self - Musician

1968

1 episode

 

Survival (1961)

Survival

8.7

TV Series

Self -singer

1968

1 episode

 

Simon Dee and Susan Hampshire in Dee Time (1967)

Dee Time

7.5

TV Series

Self

1967

1 episode

 

Secombe, Friends and Relations

TV Special

Self

1966

 

Helen Atkinson Wood, Nell Campbell, Simon Hickson, Brian Travers, and Trevor Neal in Juke Box Jury (1959)

Juke Box Jury

7.6

TV Series

Self - Panellist

1959–1966

2 episodes

 

Marianne Faithfull, Shirley Anne Field, and Sandie Shaw in Countdown (1966)

Countdown

TV Series

Self

1966

1 episode

 

The Norman Vaughan Show

TV Series

Self

1966

1 episode

 

The Dickie Valentine Show

TV Series

Self

1966

1 episode

 

Tommy Quickly in Thank Your Lucky Stars (1961)

Thank Your Lucky Stars

7.7

TV Series

Self

1961–1966

8 episodes

 

Alan Bennett in BBC 3 (1965)

BBC 3

4.5

TV Series

Self

1966

2 episodes

 

Radio- en TV-bal

TV Movie

Self

1966

 

The Eamonn Andrews Show (1964)

The Eamonn Andrews Show

7.8

TV Series

Self

1966

1 episode

 

Ready, Steady, Go! (1963)

Ready, Steady, Go!

8.0

TV Series

Self

1965

1 episode

 

The New London Palladium Show (1965)

The New London Palladium Show

TV Series

Self

1965

1 episode

 

Five O'Clock Funfair (1965)

Five O'Clock Funfair

TV Series

Self

1965

1 episode

 

Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life

7.0

TV Series

Self - Singer

1964–1965

21 episodes

 

That's for Me

TV Series

Self

1965

1 episode

 

Jazz 625 (1961)

Jazz 625

8.8

TV Series

Self

1965

1 episode

 

Muses with Milligan

TV Series

Self

1964

1 episode

 

The Dream Machine

5.5

TV Movie

Self

1964

 

Open House (1964)

Open House

TV Series

Self

1964

1 episode

 

Freedom Road: Songs of Negro Protest

TV Movie

Self - Singer

1964

 

Hi There! It's Rolf Harris

TV Series

Self

1964

1 episode

 

Arthur Haynes and Nicholas Parsons in The Arthur Haynes Show (1956)

The Arthur Haynes Show

6.9

TV Series

Self - singer

1963–1964

2 episodes

 

Man müsste Klavier spielen können

TV Series

Self - Musician

1963

1 episode

 

A Swingin' Time

TV Series

Self - Performer

1963

1 episode

 

Compact (1962)

Compact

6.7

TV Series

Self - Guest Star

1963

1 episode

 

The Royal Variety Performance 1962

TV Special

Self

1962

 

Kingsley Amis Goes Pop

TV Mini Series

Self

1962

 

Bruce Forsyth, Frankie Howerd, Des O'Connor, Jimmy Tarbuck, and Norman Wisdom in Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1955)

Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium

7.5

TV Series

Self

1961–1962

2 episodes

 

All That Jazz

TV Series

Self - Performer

1962

1 episode

 

That Was the Week That Was (1962)

That Was the Week That Was

8.1

TV Series

Self

1962–1963

 

Parade

TV Series

Self

1960

1 episode

 

After Hours

6.2

TV Series

Self

1959

7 episodes

 

Bandstand

TV Series

Self

1959–1960

 

Panorama (1953)

Panorama

7.0

TV Series

Self

1959

1 episode

 

The 1959 Show

TV Special

Self

1959

 

Six-Five Special (1958)

Six-Five Special

5.8

Self

1958

 

Six-Five Special (1957)

Six-Five Special

6.9

TV Series

Self

1957–1958

3 episodes

 

Off the Record (1955)

Off the Record

TV Series

Self

1957

1 episode

 

Monday Melody

TV Series

Self

1957

1 episode

 

Benny Hill in The Benny Hill Show (1955)

The Benny Hill Show

7.7

TV Series

Self - Musical Guest

1957

1 episode

 

Parade of the Bands

Short

Self

1956

 

Contrast in Rhythm

Short

Self

1955

 

Archive Footage

Ronnie's (2020)

Ronnie's

7.6

Self (archive footage)

2020

 

VE Day 75 VE Day: Remembering Victory

Self (archive footage)

2020

 

Jazz Divas Gold (2013)

Jazz Divas Gold

7.6

TV Movie

Self (archive footage)

2013

 

The Many Faces of... (2009)

The Many Faces of...

6.4

TV Series

Gwen (archive footage, uncredited)

2011

1 episode

 

Breakfast (2000)

Breakfast

5.2

TV Series

Self - Jazz Singer (archive footage)

2011

1 episode

 

Jazz Britannia (2005)

Jazz Britannia

7.0

TV Series

Self (archive footage)

2005

1 episode

 

Jazz 625 (1961)

Jazz 625

8.8

TV Series

Self - Performer - Singer (archive footage)

2005

1 episode

 

Tell Me the Truth About Love

TV Movie

Self (archive footage)

2000

 

Kraft Mystery Theater (1961)

Kraft Mystery Theater

7.8

TV Series

Singer (archive footage)

1961

1 episode