Variety Parade – Nostalgia Central

1 9 5 3 – 1 9 5 8 (UK)
60 minute/45 minute episodes

Variety Parade was originally a BBC Home Service radio show that began in the late 1940s. Steeped in the old music-hall tradition, it was a showcase for stage and radio stars.

The show made the move to television in October 1953 with this Saturday night variety show featuring acts including Max Bygraves, Morecambe and Wise, Marty Feldman, Bill Maynard, Max Miller, Spike Milligan, Bruce Forsyth, Max Wall, Tommy Cooper, Harry Secombe, Frankie Howerd, Bob Monkhouse, Cicely Courtneidge, Johnny Lockwood, Lorrae Desmond, Shirley Bassey, Barbara Windsor, Mike and Bernie Winters, Terry-Thomas, Peter Butterworth, The Vernons Girls, and Tommy Trinder.

Many of the acts were appearing on television for the first time.

Guests were accompanied by The Tiller Girls (and later, The Variety Parade Dancers), the George Mitchell Singers and an orchestra under the direction of Eric Robinson (and later George Clouston).

The shows were filmed at the BBC Television Theatre at Shepherd’s Bush.