Arthur Askey full TV show - 1956

From 1953 to 1955 Arthur Askey starred in the BBC series 'Before Your Very Eyes'. In 1956 he switched sides when from 1956 to 1957 the series under the same name was produced for ITV (Associated Rediffusion) by Jack Hylton. The ITV shows were transmitted fortnightly and this particular one was the last one of the first series broadcast on 20th April 1956. Besides Askey the show also featured Jerry Desmonde, Avril Angers and John Blythe as well as Sabrina (Norma Sykes) who the comedian had brought with him from the BBC.

[@DRAINPIPE57]

He was so quick and on the ball with ad libs galore

[@stephenguppy3466]

Arthur was brilliant, especially with his ad-libbing in the early days of live Tv, where things always went wrong.

[@MrDavey2010]

There's a magic about this performance. Can't explain what it is but all of the performers are being natural and the show isn't over-produced. I suppose it's down to pure talent and professionalism - both in short supply nowadays.

[@michaeldeluca6331]

Boring comment.

[@ianblakesley3349]

What a delightful show from the early years of ITV. How many of these shows were made at the time, I wonder? Arthur Askey is a much-missed performer.

[@trevordance5181]

ITV didn't yet cover much of the country when this programme first aired. Perhaps that is why it was filmed, so it could later be shown in other regions as ITV expanded its coverage. So many programmes went out live in those days and were never recorded, so we are lucky to be able to still see this. Are there other editions of this series still available to watch.

[@thatoneguychad420]

Where's me washboard?

[@djackmanson]

Came here looking for this comment!

[@macca1146]

I saw him in Blackpool in 1967 as a 10 yr old, he was hilarious, he must have been for a 10 yr old to remember it.

[@thatoneguychad420]

Chester draws

[@robertheath1246]

Oooo Chester ave ya seen it?

[@Bagpipe13]

I freaking love this stuff

[@maxbacon4828]

Avril Angers, a fine actress, comedienne, and a real cutie!.

[@314WESTERN]

Love the way Paul Whitehouse, takes the piss out of him.

[@thatoneguychad420]

Fast show 💓

[@ysthafellgynghori8423]

Whitehouse's take-off was crap.

[@thatoneguychad420]

@@ysthafellgynghori8423 why

[@vhseshproductions2378]

Wwwwhhheeeerrrrreeesss mmeeee washhhboard?

[@jacksugden8190]

He had gift of the gab the same as Bruce Forsyth.

[@davidhoward2487]

Originally from Blackpool, Norma Sykes aka. Sabrina, never spoke, that was the second gimmick...you can guess the first! She married well, I believe, older than me by 4 years, I wonder if she's still alive...I am!

[@jrgboy]

She moved to America many years ago but died in 2016 aged 80.

[@trevordance9783]

I thaank yow!

[@petemullen842]

Good comedian but not for me looked old when he was 20

[@paulhayward4383]

Washing machine...many in Britain never had them..

[@ysthafellgynghori8423]

Yes, they did.

[@tonyjohn1395]

Completely unfunny. His cheeky chappie 1930s routine was already dated in the 50s. Entertainment for peasants.

[@thatoneguychad420]

Where's me washboard?

[@ysthafellgynghori8423]

I suppose your idea of great comedy is Jimmy Carr joking about the Holocaust.

[@trevordance9783]

I thaank yow!