1985: LARRY GRAYSON - REMINISCENCES | On The Box | Classic Celebrity Interview | BBC Archive

Larry Grayson looked back over his career, from his beginnings in Nuneaton, treading the boards as a comedian and the story behind his catchphrases, through to TV stardom with The Generation Game.
This clip is from On The Box, originally broadcast on BBC One (Midlands), Tuesday 25 June, 1985.
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[@shopmobgm]

Larry was as genuine off screen as he was on. I was humbled to have known him for many years working in TV. I still miss him today.

[@Ian-gw2vx]

I bet you do. Tv is pretty much dead today.

[@shopmobgm]

@@Ian-gw2vx I couldn't agree more

[@Ian-gw2vx]

Back in the day they had real talent honed from years and years of hard work treading the boards. These days its instant fame for doing nothing of significance. @@shopmobgm

[@amfwelsh]

Such a funny man I enjoyed watching everything he was on

[@saintetienne755]

How did you meet him - would love to know

[@vantheman1238]

What a wonderful wonderful man Larry Grayson. Thank goodness for KZbin

[@stevenbeaven1]

A genuine gentleman. Hugely talented and much missed.

[@yorkyswe]

I've not seen Larry Grayson for decades, since I was a kid watching the Generation Game. What a fascinating and warm interview! Thank you for posting this.

[@Feddergenetics]

He died 1994 !

[@Ian-gw2vx]

1995 @@Feddergenetics

[@rjjcms1]

Though a kid back then I remember him having his own evening TV show some time in the 70s before he got to host the Generation Game,and his "shut that door!" catchphrase. I didn't realise that "what a gay day" stemmed from him too,though it makes sense; some of us used to say that and variants on it jokingly at school.

[@smithpm81]

fantastic man, sooooo funny, still laugh out loud today

[@Somerset-In-The-Blood]

He was great in the Generation Game,he made that show his own all harmless fun,just like Dick Emery & Benny Hill...Glad I saw them all...

[@saintetienne755]

8:18 "I'm a very emotional man" - he was all that and more - he was my childhood. Wonderful, warm, kind - what a terrible loss. Never forgotten

[@davedogge2280]

He was a great negotiator with the BBC when it came to pay for shows, he used to say "£400 per episode is all you offering ? shut that door !".

[@robinvanags912]

I saw Larry the month after this interview - the BBC Radio 2 'Railshow' was at Weston-Super-Mare station. A genuine person - the same, On-Air and Off.

[@hilaryepstein6013]

A delightful interview. Yes Larry I think we all know now what your catchphrases meant even if we didn't then! The interviewer was of course the lovely Glyn Worsnip whose TV career came to a tragic end just a few years later.

[@fffffffffffffffffark]

It's odd how the beeb leaves the names of some participants out of these Archive clips.

[@rjjcms1]

Ah,of course! I was trying to remember who it was while fighting the notion of him being one of those who may or may not have helped sow the germ of Alan Partridge.

[@delenngm]

Larry Grayson is still my favourite comic ever. Quick witted, charming, genuinely caring and a phenomenal memory. Who else could create 6 unseen characters & know every detail of all of their lives. I first saw him live about 1973 in the Summer Show in Margate. I was only about 7 & I loved it. Instantly adored the man & his performance. Thanks for sharing this & keeping the memory of such a wonderful man alive.

[@robertwilson214]

3 people that can make you laugh without saying a word...tom baker,rik mayall,larry grayson

[@bigboxbobby2]

What a lovely man

[@Robby334]

What a great comedian Larry was, no one can replicate him, I loved Larry to bits and saw him years ago in Brighton with Dora Bryan. Thanks, Larry

[@martinburdett2477]

So natural and genuine great bloke

[@djdrwatson]

Shut that door! 😄

[@lindawheatley9971]

Brilliant😊

[@smithpm81]

pop it in pete LOL

[@kencook7580]

Genius, nothing in thirty year's has come close, due to political changes. A real cultural change for the worse. Genius never to be repeated. God bless him, goodness me where are we now, I am glad that he is not going to witness the nonsense that we have to look at now, which is not funny at all. SHUT THAT DOOR 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@octaviussludberry9016]

1:26 Ironic he died in Nuneaton