Harry Secombe was a beloved British comic entertainer, born in Swansea, South Wales, where he began singing as a child in local church choirs. Despite initially considering a career in opera, he landed his first job as a clerk. During World War II, Secombe served in the Army in North Africa and Italy, where he met fellow comedian Spike Milligan and discovered a shared sense of humor.
After the war, Secombe appeared in numerous troop concerts, earning a reputation for his high-pitched laugh and signature raspberry blowing. He eventually became a regular at London's famous Windmill Theatre and in 1945, he joined the cast of the popular radio series Educating Archie.
However, it was his role in the iconic radio comedy program The Goon Show, which debuted in 1951, that catapulted Secombe to international fame. Alongside Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, and Michael Bentine, the show became a groundbreaking and beloved series, paving the way for Secombe's subsequent success.
Throughout his career, Secombe made several films, including Down Among the Z Men (1952) and The Harry Secombe Show (1955),as well as appearing in numerous television shows, such as Secombe and Friends (1966) and Have a Harry Christmas (1977). On stage, he enjoyed a long-running success with Leslie Bricusse's Pickwick (1963) and revived the show in the 1980s.
Secombe's most notable film roles included Davy (1957),Oliver! (1968),and The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins (1971),as well as appearances in Starstruck (1972) and other notable films. Knighted in 1981, Secombe continued to work in television, writing several volumes of autobiography, and touring Australia.
In his later years, Secombe battled with illness, including cancer and a severe stroke, but continued to appear on television, narrating D Day - The Official Story (1994) and presenting Top Ten Comedy Records (2000). Despite his health struggles, Secombe remained a beloved figure in British entertainment, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and joy.
