X-Nico

9 unusual facts about Harry Secombe


Andy Secombe

Son of comedian/singer Harry Secombe (whom he later impersonated in a Goon Show special), the younger Secombe is probably best known for providing the voice of Watto in the Star Wars prequels.

Carl Sternheim

One notable exception occurred when Simon Callow made his West End debut in a version of Bürger Schippel (re-titled as The Plumber's Progress) alongside Harry Secombe in the 1970s.

If I Ruled the World

The song is usually associated with Sir Harry Secombe, who got the song to No 18 in the UK charts in 1963, but has been performed by other singers, notably Tony Bennett, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Tom Jones and Regina Belle.

Jimmy Grafton

One of the patrons at Grafton's was Michael Bentine, an ex-intelligence officer and comedian, who introduced Grafton to Harry Secombe; Grafton recognised Secombe's voice as one of the actors on Variety Bandbox.

The pub served as a meeting place for many comedians, including Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine.

John K. Watts

John wrote most of his own material and would go on to write jokes for famous comedians such as Bob Hope and Harry Secombe and published magazines and joke books.

Julian Harries

In February–March 2009, Harries played Guy Jones in Alan Ayckbourn's comedy A Chorus of Disapproval at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, and the Colchester Mercury Theatre, alongside Harry Secombe's daughter, Katy.

Old Square, Birmingham

The memorial, by Bruce Williams, was unveiled by Sir Harry Secombe on 13 May 1996.

The Telegoons

Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan reprised their original voice roles from the radio series and appeared in promotional photos with some of the puppets from the series.


Joan Hinde

Instead, Joan Hinde forged a sparkling reputation on the live variety stage becoming a regular fixture with artistes such as Elsie and Doris Waters, Jimmy James and Co., Gladys Morgan, The Black and White Minstrel Show, Max Bygraves, Sir Harry Secombe and Ken Dodd.

Penny Points to Paradise

The film was the feature film debut of the stars of The Goon Show, Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers.

Peter Brough

His radio series based around the character - Educating Archie - featured in support the likes of Dick Emery, Freddie Sales, Benny Hill, Tony Hancock, Hattie Jacques, Bruce Forsyth, Harry Secombe, Beryl Reid and even a young Julie Andrews as the girlfriend of Archie; Eric Sykes was one of the series main writers in the early 1950s.

Treorchy Male Choir

Television programmes with Sir Tom Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Dame Julie Andrews, Sir Harry Secombe and Burt Bacharach was only the beginning of their long association with major celebrities.


see also