Ian Wallace was a rare breed of opera bass-baritone who effortlessly transitioned between various genres, including pantomime, musical theatre, and radio quiz shows. He was a star of BBC Radio 4's "My Music" and co-starred with Robert Morley in the musical "Fanny" at Drury Lane in 1956. Wallace's rotund and good-natured personality made him a skilled raconteur, able to tell stories that even his "victims" found amusing.
As an agent of many years, Jeanette Chalmers described Wallace as having a unique talent, not only because of his exceptional singing voice but also because of his ability to connect with people. Wallace's straightforward and untheatrical nature made him a likable figure in the industry.
Wallace was not afraid to speak his mind, even when it came to controversial topics. In the 1980s, he publicly opposed the BBC's decision to abolish some of its orchestras, taking a stance that few other BBC stars were willing to take.
Born in London, Wallace came from a privileged background, being the son of Sir John Wallace, a Liberal MP. Despite his father's initial disapproval of his acting ambitions, Wallace's mother, Mary, encouraged his love for the stage. He made his debut at the age of five in a school production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and later attended Charterhouse school in Godalming, Surrey.
After studying law at Cambridge, Wallace's plans were put on hold due to the war. He joined the Royal Artillery but was invalided out after a motorcycle accident. He later returned to military service but was invalided out again in 1944 with tuberculosis of the spine. During his recovery, he entertained fellow patients with his own show, "High Temperature."
Wallace's thoughts turned to the theatre during his long convalescence, and he began to pursue a career in acting. He made his professional debut at the Little Park Theatre in Glasgow, playing the nobleman in "The Man With a Load of Mischief." He later appeared in a play at the Citizens Theatre and made his London stage debut in 1945 at Sadler's Wells in "The Forrigan Reel."
Wallace's early career was marked by his work with the New London Opera Company, where he sang in "La Bohème" alongside Princess Elizabeth. He later joined Glyndebourne, appearing in comic roles and broadcasting many of the productions for the BBC. He also appeared in revue, sang under Sir Malcolm Sargent in "The Mikado" and "Iolanthe," and performed the comic songs of Flanders and Swann.
Throughout his career, Wallace worked with numerous prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including Alastair Sim, Alberto Erede, and Victoria Wood. He was a popular figure on radio and television, appearing in shows such as "My Music" and "Porterhouse Blue."
Wallace was married to Patricia Black in 1948 and had two children, Rosemary and John. He was appointed OBE in 1983 and made honorary doctor of music by St Andrews University in 1991.
