The RX-8

JOHN HANNAM
Gone
but not
forgotten
After thirty four years of interviewing famous people I often think
back to moments that I will never forget and to real stars like Benny
Hill, Frankie Howerd, Sir John Mills, Donald Pleasence, Matt Monro,
Tommy Cooper and Bobby Moore. I’d like to share a few special
memories of stars that are gone but certainly not forgotten.
Roy Castle was one of the most wonderful people I ever met. I first
saw him in cabaret at the Ponda Rosa, Ryde, where he broke all the
attendance records over several nights. Roy was a true gentleman.
Nothing was too much trouble and he was loved by both fans and
his fellow performers. I interviewed him several times and he was
always courteous and entertaining.
The last time I interviewed him is still a vivid memory although
there was not a happy ending. We met at an hotel in Southsea on
the day he starred in a special charity concert at the nearby Kings
Theatre, to help raise funds for cancer relief. That week Roy had
been given the all-clear from his own cancer and he was literally
walking on air and so inspirational both on and off stage. As we all
know, sadly, he eventually lost his brave fight.
Frankie Howerd had been a comedy hero of mine for many years and
when he came to the Island for a short summer season at Sandown
Pavilion, I could hardly wait. He was fascinating to interview and I
got to know him well. Imagine my delight when he asked if he could
take my wife and me out to a post-show dinner. We arranged a
babysitter prepared to stay to around 2am and headed for The
Culver Haven, at Bembridge.
Frank also brought along his manager, Dennis, and his pianist
Madame Dixon, who has recently passed away. It was a little sombre
in the bar until I mentioned tennis and the recent Borg v McEnroe
Wimbledon final, when it really was a sport for compulsive viewing.
He took off from that moment and never stopped talking for the
next two hours or more. I came under scrutiny during the meal. He
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BY JOHN HANNAM
Bob Monkhouse
asked me if I ever thought about death and then went on to ask my
wife several personal questions about me. It was a memorable night
and I had really dressed up for the occasion. Frank, as expected, not
looking quite so sartorially elegant, appreciated this.
When Tommy Cooper came to Sandown in 1982 for a short season it
had to be curtailed because he was unwell. Around six thousand
were lucky enough to see a true legend. I took my two youngsters to
witness a genuine one-off. They loved every minute.
I interviewed him early in the week and found him quite lonely. He
asked me if I would like to go down on some other nights, after the
show, for a chat and company. What an unexpected pleasure and he
shared a few secrets. I was one of at least twenty million who saw
his final performance on TV’s Live from the Palladium, when he
died on stage. It was such an emotional moment but, in reality, the
way he would have chosen for his final curtain call.
Quite recently Danny Williams, who topped the pop charts all over
the world with Moon River, passed away. He was, unexpectedly,
diagnosed with an illness whilst in hospital for something else and
died within a couple of weeks.
I loved his company and he was always fun to be with. I also had
the honour of interviewing him live on stage at the Medina Theatre,
Newport. One of pop music’s great voices, too. Sadly, I had an
interview with him in the can, recorded in Yarmouth, and had not
played it on air. I never imagined it would eventually be played to
celebrate his life.
I remember Lennie Peters, of Peters and Lee, for a few reasons. The
man had such an amazingly soulful voice and his vocal talents were
really not appreciated as much as they should have been. He was
such a genial and fun loving character. Once he told me he kept fit
by cycling many miles. I thought this quite extraordinary for a blind
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