Just Williams
Best of British|April 2023
Chris Hallam remembers a true genius of the comedy world
Chris Hallam
Just Williams

Back in the 1980s, when I was a child, Kenneth Williams seemed to be everywhere. He was famously competitive against the likes of Derek Nimmo and Clement Freud on BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute and could regularly be seen as a guest on shows as varied as Child’s Play, Whose Baby?, Through the Keyhole, Give Us a Clue, Did You See? and Countdown.

He was a chat-show favourite and was always reliably entertaining whether sitting opposite Harty, Aspel or Parkinson. He once even stood in for Terry Wogan himself during one of his occasional holidays. He played a devil, complete with horns and velvet cape, for a TV commercial for BP and did voiceovers on ads for Supersoft nappies and Temik pesticides. He was interviewed frequently on a variety of subjects both highbrow and lowbrow.

As a child, I enjoyed his spirited reading of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach on Jackanory, and could easily recognise his voice behind that of the bug-eyed ship’s computer SID (Space Investigation Detector) on Children’s BBC space comedy Galloping Galaxies!. More famously, he narrated and provided all of the voices for cartoon fantasy Willo the Wisp including unlikely fairy Mavis Cruet and malevolent TV set Evil Edna.

Esta historia es de la edición April 2023 de Best of British.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición April 2023 de Best of British.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE BEST OF BRITISHVer todo
Animal Magic
Best of British

Animal Magic

Hilary Middleton recalls a children's author whose tales are still enjoyed today

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2024
BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER
Best of British

BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER

BoB's very own Time Lord prepares for an alternative to panto, recalls his early reading choices and having his scenes cut from two cutting edge comedies

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
Marvels in Miniature
Best of British

Marvels in Miniature

Claire Saul learns about the exquisite works on display at a new exhibition being held at a historic Georgian mansion

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 2024
The Last Post
Best of British

The Last Post

Michael Foley witnessed the end of an era

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024
The Box of Delights
Best of British

The Box of Delights

Chris Hallam remembers how his Christmas 40 years ago was lit up by a magical television drama

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2024
The Queen of Stage and Screen
Best of British

The Queen of Stage and Screen

Chris Hallam pays tribute to actress Dame Maggie Smith

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2024
Other 07
Best of British

Other 07

Jonathan Sothcott looks at the seven Sir Roger Moore films that you should have in your collection

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 2024
In the Best Possible Taste
Best of British

In the Best Possible Taste

Derek Lamb remembers the wireless wizardry of Kenny Everett

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 2024
POSTCARD FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Best of British

POSTCARD FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Bob Barton remembers a ghostly train journey, enjoys some wassailing and fulfils a long-held ambition of attending a lawnmower festival

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2024
MERCY MISSION
Best of British

MERCY MISSION

John Greeves recounts the remarkable exploits of Sunderland flying boat T9114

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2024