As one of the UK's most famous stars, Crossroads' Noele Gordon was used to receiving stacks of fan mail. And when her engagement to Larry Grayson was announced on live TV, it was no exception.
A But there was one problem Noele and the comic were not really engaged. It was a joke that started when Noele appeared on This Is Your Life in 1973.
The late Noele, the subject of ITV1 drama Nolly, which airs tomorrow, recalled: "When Larry appeared I couldn't believe hed come all that way just for a couple of minutes on TV with me.
"That's when our 'romance' was born. 'Noele, I do love you, he said as he walked on. I knew he was joking and I carried on in the same vein. 'I keep asking him to marry me but he won't, I explained.
"Larry's answer was gallant and to the point. 'I will then, he said.
"Neither of us realised so many people would take it seriously." However, in 1975, The Generation Game presenter did play a role in a wedding involving Noele.
More than 18 million Crossroads fans tuned in to see motel owner Meg Richardson marry Hugh Mortimer, played by John Bentley.
Larry had a cameo role as the couple's wedding chauffeur despite the fact he could not drive.
This was believed to be an in-joke referring to claims that he and Noele were romantically linked.
In reality, Larry was a gay man who feared. coming out would end his career. He was 44 when homosexuality was decriminalised in England in 1967.
Noele had vowed never to marry following two failed relationships.
Her first love, Army captain John Robertson Dunn Crichton, broke off their engagement a week before their wedding when she was 18.
Then, she spent 20 years as the mistress of TV boss Val Parnell.
Bu hikaye Daily Mirror UK dergisinin December 26, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Daily Mirror UK dergisinin December 26, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
TWICKERS IN A TWIST
Earl: Fans at HQ are losing patience with England
PAUL'S WARING A* SMILE
Brit holds on to claim biggest win of his career in Abu
NURSES EXODUS IN FIRST 10 YEARS
43% quitting due to burnout
WE REMEMBER
Cities & towns fall silent as war deeds honoured
Jason taken to the Tower
Actor finds queen's jailer and Jane Austen are ancestors
Assisted dying 'can be best thing to do'
Cancer sufferer's plea for law change
Mystery of Liam watch
Investigators will scour fatal fall hotel again for any clue to £30k Rolex
The prison system is failing to keep the public safe
JAILS are failing the victims of crime because inmates are being freed without rehabilitation only to commit further offences, the Prisons Minister warns.
Axe factor
Shayne gets Strictly boot after Wynne dance-off
VERBAL ABUSE, THREATS AND ASSAULT.. DRIVEN BY SHOPLIFTING SCOURGE
SHOP workers have laid bare the horrifying scale of abuse and violence they are facing, with shoplifting the primary cause.