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Just three telly moments from a lifetime of Lionel Blair…
My memories were of Lionel as a dancer, panellist and having a dodgy haircut. But he did so much more.
I was sad to learn of the passing of Lionel Blair, who was one of those familiar faces who seemed to be always on British telly when I was a kid, teen and way after that. In his always dapper and bouffant-haired appearances that I remember, he turned up as a panel member in many celebrity quiz TV shows – including Blankety Blank (1985-88) and Celebrity Squares (1975-95) – and as himself in a crazy fun advert and on and off in The Royal Variety Performance.
But now looking at his CV, Blair did so much more in his nearly 70-year film and TV career that I’d forgotten or never seen. This had also included appearances with Roger Moore and Tony Curtis in an episode of The Persuaders! (1971), with the zany titular comic in The Kenny Everett Television Show (1982-88) and as himself Footballers’ Wives (2005).
Here are more on those remembrances of this British National Treasure…
Give Us a Clue (1979-91)…
Give Us a Clue 1981 Pertwee Davison, Anthony Keetch
As the energetic team captain Lionel Blair that always brightened those days when I was off sick and off school in Give Us a Clue. He was always a great sport and luckily for this show a natural at mime. This TV series lasted through two hosts, Michael Aspel and then Michael Parkinson. It was a case of ladies vs gents in this charades inspired game, as the celebrities of all sorts did a mime for the titles of random films, TV, songs and books (and more). Their teammates then had to guess the titles of these to get a measly two points for their efforts for their team.
This particular episode seemed to be not only a homage to those Doctor Who (1963-) actors – Peter Davison and Jon Pertwee – but those Worzel Gummidge (1979-81) stars too – with the late Una Stubbs and Pertwee. It looks really randomly 80s and their fellow contests included an apparently just come off-set look (according to Darlin Husband), Geoffrey Hayes from the kid’s show Rainbow (1972-92) and the then go-to panel members, Beryl Reid and Sandra Dickinson were usually seen in Blankety Blank. And a random appearance of a Blue Peter (1958-) presenter, Lesley Judd who some readers may remember also sang and danced in Half a Sixpence (1967).
Beer Advert…
Harp Lager ad – Lionel Blair cut, Daniel May
This was one of my favourite adverts with celebrities back in the retro 90s. And if you watch this advert to the end, for more of that Lionel Blair reference. These beer adverts were remembered by the Belfast Telegraph HERE as having more random British comedians – such as Ronnie Barker and Karl Howman – and this article adds,
The ‘time for a sharp exit, time for a Harp’ campaign, where blokes (and it was always blokes) found themselves in embarrassing situations was another attempt to serve up Harp with a chaser of humour.
and there’s more…
Lionel Blair and Suzanne Danielle 1984, guyzy42
Song and dance kinda sum up my main memories of Lionel Blair. And were in his random appearances in many a TV special or the Royal Variety Performance. Here he showed off his impeccable dance moves and singing talents to the hilt.
Unfortunately, I never made it to see him in his 30-year stint as a Pantomime actor. As a Scottish kid, I watched Rikki Fulton and Stanley Baxter whereas it seemed that kids in England got the then more well-known talent. Norwich kids saw Blair in Cinderella as Buttons in his first stint in panto – surprisingly in 1992 – and he also appeared in Snow White in Bromley.
And in whatever he did I’ll remember him.. be it as that song and dance man or the chirpy panellist, he was never fully dressed, without that Cheshire cat smile.
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