Comperes in the spotlight…….
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Alan Dedicoat
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Born at an early age in
He decided against the fuddy-duddy world of the law and opted for the world of show business - well, BBC Radio Birmingham anyway!Four years at Pebble Mill were followed by another four years at BBC Radio Devon - "Yes, just 20 minutes from the sea immediately after the Breakfast Show!". Yes, even then numbers were beginning to play a significant part in his life!
In 1987
Since then he has been heard reading the news and voicing some of the Network's many trails and promotions. Nowadays, apart from joining in lively banter with Terry Wogan, Alan leads a team of a dozen or so Announcers who keep the network on the air 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week from a tiny studio deep within Broadcasting House.
He is also the 'out-of-vision' voice calling out the Lottery numbers on the twice weekly National Lottery Draw on BBC1; indeed Wogan's christened him "the Voice of the Balls"!
Ian Lavender
Compere at:
Arthur Ian Lavender, better known as Ian Lavender, (born 16 February 1946) is an English film and television actor best known for his role as Private Frank Pike in the BBC comedy series Dad's Army.
The father-of-two has a wide range of TV and theatre roles to his credit and continues to work consistently in both mediums, most famously playing Derek Harkinson in Eastenders but also appearing in Keeping Up Appearances and Carry On Behind earlier in his career.
Diagnosed with cancer of the bladder in the 1980s, Ian underwent two operations and a course of radiotherapy. It was a success and he was giving the all clear he has since recovered from a mild heart attack and continues to work in theatre, notably playing the Narrator in a touring production of The Rocky Horror Show.
April 2007
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William Roache
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William Patrick Roache MBE born April 25, 1932 is a BS Award winning actor, best known for his role as Ken Barlow in the British drama Coronation Street, since 1960. Roache is the only remaining member of the original cast, having appeared in the first episode on December 9, 1960 and is currently the longest serving actor on Coronation Street.
Roache was educated at the independent Rydal School in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. In 1953, he was commissioned into the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1954 and left the Army three years later. Due to a mortar bomb explosion that he witnessed while on National Service with the British Army during this time, Roache suffers from tinnitus.
Roache is the second-longest continuous actor in the history of television serials. Only Don Hastings, who has played Bob Hughes on the American soap opera As the World Turns since October 1960, without a break, has played the same character longer. The Guinness Book of Records states that the non-continuous record is held by Helen Wagner, who has played Nancy Hughes on the same soap opera, As the World Turns, since April 1956. Wagner made only sporadic appearances between 1981 and 1985.
In March 2007, Roache was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Chester in recognition of his contribution to television. In June of that year, he accepted an offer to become an honorary member of the voting panel for the 'Carer of the Year Award' organised by Castle Comfort Stairlifts of Staffordshire.
Artists in the spotlight…….
Wing Commander Stuart L Stirling
PhD MA RAF
Principal Director of Music,
Royal Air Force
Wing Commander Stuart Stirling was commissioned in 1985, and appointed Director of Music to the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment at Catterick in North Yorkshire. In 1989, he was appointed as the Director of Music of the Royal Air Force School of Music and, upon its closure, assumed the post of Director of Music Headquarters Music Services. In 1977, he was appointed Director of Music to the Band of the Royal Air Force College and subsequently, as Director of Music to the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment. In April 2003, he was appointer Principal Director of Music for the Royal Air Force. He began training at the Trinity College of Music as a pianist, he continued his studies at the University of London, gaining a Bachelor of Music degree with Honours. On completion of his studies in London he pursed a Master of Arts degree in American Music at Keele University. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Leeds through research into original composition. As a concert pianist he has recorded Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Richard Adinsell’s Warshaw Concerto with the BBC Concert Orchestra and has recently recorded Stravinsky’s Concerto for Piano and Wind with the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. Wing Commander Stuart L Stirling is a member of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, a member of the Performing Rights Society, and is also a keen Rotarian.
The Royal Air Force Squadronaires
The origins of the Royal Air Force Squadronaires can be traced back to 1939, when a plan was put forward to recruit experienced civilian musicians into the Royal Air Force, where they would form ‘moral maintaining’ dance bands to tour RAF stations and provide entertainment for the troops during wartime. In 1985 plans were made to form a new ‘big band’ within the RAF Music Service and so ‘The Royal Air Force Squadronaires’ were reborn. The official inauguration of the bank took place at RAF Uxbridge on 8 January 1987 and was attended by many of the original wartime Squadronaires members. Poignantly, ‘Sergeant’ Jimmy Miller conducted and sang also the band’s celebrated theme tune There’s Something in the Air. Under its present Musical Director, Squadron Leader Duncan Stubbs, and the band’s Leader Sergeant Jamie Deighton, the band has assembled a repertoire that reflects its style and versatility, ranging from original dance band classics to the latest big band sounds. Performances in recent years have included several appearances at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. The Squadronaires have also performed for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at Highgrove House. To maintain the heritage and connection with their illustrious past, the current ‘Royal Air Force Squadronaires’ can perform in both 1940s Royal Air Force battle dress and the up-to-date concert dress worn by all members of Royal Air Force Music Services. ‘The Royal Air Force Squadronaires’ are not just a thing of the past, but are alive and well and living at RAF Uxbridge