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Max Bygraves OBE (born Walter William Bygraves on 16 October 1922) is an English comedian, singer, actor and variety performer. He appeared on his own television shows, sometimes performing comedy sketches between songs. Shows he presented included the gameshow Family Fortunes.
Max Bygraves was born the son of poor parents in Rotherhithe, southeast London docklands. His father was a professional boxer known as Battling Tom Smith, and a casual dockworker. Bygraves attended St. Joseph's Primary School in Rotherhithe. He showed talent as a child singer and performed a solo in Westminster... MORE
Max Bygraves OBE (born Walter William Bygraves on 16 October 1922) is an English comedian, singer, actor and variety performer. He appeared on his own television shows, sometimes performing comedy sketches between songs. Shows he presented included the gameshow Family Fortunes.
Max Bygraves was born the son of poor parents in Rotherhithe, southeast London docklands. His father was a professional boxer known as Battling Tom Smith, and a casual dockworker. Bygraves attended St. Joseph's Primary School in Rotherhithe. He showed talent as a child singer and performed a solo in Westminster Cathedral.
He left school at 14 to become a messenger for W. S. Crawford, an advertising agency in High Holborn. When World War II broke out, the advertising business collapsed and Max learned the trade of a carpenter and then volunteered for the Royal Air Force. His impression of Max Miller earned him the nickname Max from other airmen. He was increasingly called upon to perform in concert parties wherever he was posted.
After the war, the BBC asked him to perform in a demobilisation show called They're Out with other wartime new talent such as Frankie Howerd, Benny Hill, Jimmy Edwards, Harry Secombe LESS
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