Beverley Sisters, The – Nostalgia Central

Widely considered the blueprint for the British girl group, this vocal trio consisted of three real-life sisters from East London – Joy (the eldest) and identical twins Teddie and Babs. Coincidentally, despite being born three years apart, all three sisters shared the exact same birthday (5 May).

When they were asked in 1944 – as The Chinery Sisters (their real surname) – to promote the malt drink Ovaltine, the photographer assigned to them, Jock Ware, recommended them to the BBC producer Cecil Madden, who suggested the name the Beverley Sisters.

They gave up their jobs as typists in 1945 and made regular appearances on popular radio shows such as Variety Bandbox and Workers’ Playtime.

In 1947, they were filmed singing the risqué Her Bathing Suit Never Got Wet for a Pathé short, which was shown in cinemas.

Their first recording success came in 1951 with (Down at the) Ferry Boat Inn.

After they had a Top 10 hit with I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, they became associated with seasonal songs, including The Little Drummer Boy and Little Donkey.

Dressing identically both on and off the stage, the highly popular trio with impeccable harmonies became Britain’s highest-paid female entertainers during their peak in the 1950s, earning the equivalent of £10,000 a week.

They also made history as the first British girl group to break into the US Top 10 (with a version of Greensleeves).

They starred in their own BBC television series – initially called Three Little Girls on View, but later renamed as Those Beverley Sisters – for seven years and performed at the prestigious Royal Variety Performance multiple times, often singing the Irving Berlin composition Sisters, from the 1954 film White Christmas, which became a trademark stage favourite.

Joy married England’s football captain Billy Wright (becoming the Posh and Becks of their day).

After calling it a day in 1967 to raise families, the sisters experienced an unexpected, vibrant career revival in 1985. They notably became beloved fixtures at UK Gay Pride and gay club events, and – conversely – often appeared for military charities.

In 2002 they took part in Queen Elizabeth’s golden jubilee celebrations, toured with Max Bygraves the same year, and performed at the D-Day 60th anniversary memorial concerts in 2004.

For their decades of service to music, all three sisters were appointed MBE in the 2006 New Year Honours list. The group retired soon after due to Joy’s ill health.

Joy died in 2015 and Babs in 2018. Teddie Beverley (Hazel Chinery) died on 17 June 2026. She was 99.

Joy Beverley (Joycelyn Chinery)
Vocals
Teddie Beverley (Hazel Chinery)
Vocals
Babs Beverley (Babette Chinery)
Vocals