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Episode details

Radio 4,21 Dec 1997,40 mins

Sir Harry Secombe

Desert Island Discs

Available for over a year

This is an archive edition of Desert Island Discs. What follows is what was said about the programme at the time: Sue Lawley's castaway this week has celebrated more than 50 years as a professional performer - he's the comedian and singer Harry Secombe. At 76, he can still hit the cruel Cs, although these days he turns puce with the effort. He can still make an audience laugh itself silly and numbers Prince Charles among his many fans. He's most definitely the best raspberry-blower in the business. Today he recalls the early days of The Goon Show with Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine. He remembers the nights spent in review alongside those Windmill girls dressed only in beads - "and most of those were sweat". And he describes how presenting Highway and Songs of Praise has left him feeling humble. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Fantasia On Greensleeves by Ralph Vaughan Williams Book: The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens Luxury: Guitar

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Tracklist

  1. Track
    Artist
  2. 1.
    My Old Dutch
    My Old Dutch
    Maurice Chevalier
  3. 2.
    Che gelida manina (Your tiny hand is frozen) (from La Bohème)
    Che gelida manina (Your tiny hand is frozen) (from La Bohème)
    Giacomo Puccini
  4. 3.
    How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds
    How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds
    Newport