The second track, of the 12-track LP 'What A Gay Day' released by 70s light entertainment star Larry Grayson in 1972. Two of the tracks from this album, 'Shut That Door' and 'Apricot Lil' were released on a single too, the same year.
Larry Grayson (31 August 1923 -- 7 January 1995), born William Sulley White, was an English comedian and television presenter who reached the peak of his fame in the 1970s and early 80s. He is best remembered for hosting the BBC's popular series The Generation Game and for his high camp and English music hall humour.
His unique stand-up act consisted mainly of anecdotes about a cast of imaginary friends, the most famous of which were 'Everard' and 'Slack Alice'. He is often cited as one of the first openly gay entertainers to have enjoyed mass appeal, although he never made direct reference to his sexuality. He was devoted to his hometown Nuneaton, where a museum display relating to his life and work and a memorial have been established.
Grayson left school at the age of 14 and began working professionally as a supporting drag act on the comedy club circuit. He initially used the stage-name Billy Breen, but changed it to Larry Grayson in the 1950s on the advice of his agent; the origin of either name is unknown. Over the next thirty years, he toured the UK in male revues and drag shows, as well as in variety shows at venues including working mens' clubs, regional theatres and The Metropolitan in London. He also added stand-up comedy to his act and developed a unique and very gentle anecdotal style of comedy. It was usually based around his various imaginary friends such as Everard, Apricot Lil, Slack Alice, and the postman Pop-It-In Pete. A lot of his material was observational. In his early years, Grayson's family owned the only telephone in the street, and his inspiration came from listening to his neighbours using the phone.
An early TV appearance in the 1950s had led to complaints about his act being too outrageous, and Grayson had resigned himself to a career off television. Then in the early 70s his club act was seen by TV impresario Michael Grade, who immediately signed him for ATV. Following a hit run of guest spots on ATV variety shows, he was rewarded by Lew Grade with his own show, Shut That Door!, in 1972 and the eponymously titled Larry Grayson Show.
He also made two cameo appearances in the Midlands-based soap opera Crossroads, as a flouncing, difficult customer at the Crossroads Motel and as the chauffeur at the wedding of Meg Richardson (played by his close friend Noele Gordon). In real life Grayson could not drive. He also made a number of guest appearances in variety shows, chat shows and panel games.
Grayson was one of the first television comedians to suggest an openly gay persona and many of his catchphrases, gestures and anecdotes were certainly suggestive, although he never publicly discussed or made direct reference to his sexuality, and was never known to have a partner.
Grayson's popularity peaked when he was hired by the BBC to present the Saturday night show The Generation Game in 1978, as replacement for Bruce Forsyth. The show became hugely successful, attracting audiences of up to 24 million each week, and the title of the show was changed to Larry Grayson's Generation Game to reflect his popularity. Grayson was assisted by his co-star Isla St Clair, whom he always referred to as "my lovely Isla".
Despite its huge popularity, by 1981 The Generation Game was being overtaken in the ratings by ITV's rival show Game for a Laugh. Grayson decided to leave The Generation Game in 1982 while it was still relatively successful. The BBC decided he couldn't be replaced, and the show was cancelled. It was only resurrected eight years later when the original host, Bruce Forsyth, returned to the BBC.
Grayson went into semi-retirement, enjoying time on his own at his bungalow with his beloved dogs, although he did return to television to present the game show "Sweethearts" for ITV in 1987. He made a number of other TV and radio appearances. Grayson moved with Flo (his adoptive older sister) to Torquay, Devon as part of his semi-retirement, but moved back to Nuneaton after just a couple of years.
Grayson's final public appearance was on 3 December 1994 at the Royal Variety Performance. During this performance he referred to his hiatus from television by commenting to the audience, "They thought I was dead!". His last words during the performance were his catchphrase "Shut that door!", followed by "I love you."
On New Year's Eve 1994, Grayson was rushed into hospital. He was found to have suffered from a perforated appendix. After being allowed home from hospital, Grayson died on 7 January 1995 in Nuneaton, at the age of 71. He is buried alongside other members of his family in his home town of Nuneaton.
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