Les Dawson Forever

Les Dawson Forever (2016)

EndedDocumentary show

Over two, hour-long shows, Les Dawson Forever calls upon family, friends and extraordinary, previously unseen and revealing footage to tell the story of one of British TV's greatest comedians.

As the king of the one liner, ace piano player, and a friend to mothers-in-law everywhere, the show charts Les Dawson's incredible journey from the back streets of Manchester to millions of our living rooms.

Network
Scheduleevery Wednesday, Thursday at 21:00 (60 min)

Last Episode

Episode 2
Season 1Episode 260 min

Episode 2

In this second show, former Sez Les' director David Mallet watches footage from tapes, recorded at Yorkshire Television's studios in Leeds, that have lain untouched for nearly 50 years. The tapes feature clips that have never been seen before on television and give a rare insight into Les Dawson the man, as well as the performer, showing the comedian relaxing in between takes on the Sez Les studio floor.

Elsewhere in the documentary members of the dance troupe the Roly Polys reunite on stage to reminisce about working alongside Les. They watch back performances from their shows together and fondly remember Les' warmth, kindness and good humour. Before they part company the girls can't resist one final song and dance on stage...

The show also tells the story of how Les Dawson reinvented himself in the eyes of the public by becoming the new presenter of Blankety Blank, taking on the baton from Terry Wogan. Although at the time it was a surprising choice by the BBC, Johnny Vegas calls it ‘a landmark television moment'.

Actress Lorraine Chase, a regular on Blankety Blank, meets up with the show's producer Stanley Appel and props buyer Bobby Warans for the first time in 20 years to remember the laughs they shared with Les on the show.

The documentary also features Les' wife Tracy reuniting with karaoke superfan Penny Morgan who in 1993 was given the opportunity to perform the duet of a lifetime on Cilla Black's Surprise Surprise. Their performance of Sonny and Cher's I Got You Babe was Les' last TV appearance, shown after his death, and left Cilla and the studio audience in tears of laughter. Les' wife Tracy says that from all her husband's hilarious comedy career, it's this clip of Les and Penny's performance together that is her favourite.

Les Dawson Forever also features interviews with Les' daughter Charlotte Dawson and friends and fans including Ken Dodd, Johnny Vegas, Vicki Michelle, Rick Wakeman, Johnny Ball and Andy Hamilton.

Dec 22, 2016

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E02Episode 2Dec 22, 2016
S01E01Episode 1Dec 21, 2016
View all episodesView all seasons

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
The Rookie
Running

The Rookie

The Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD. At an age where most are at the peak of their career, Nolan cast aside his comfortable, small town life and moved to L.A. to pursue his dream of being a cop. Now, surrounded by rookies twenty years his junior, Nolan must navigate the dangerous, humorous and unpredictable world of a "young" cop, determined to make his second shot at life count.

The Studio
Running

The Studio

As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, Matt and his core team of infighting executives battle their own insecurities as they wrangle narcissistic artists and craven corporate overlords in the ever-elusive pursuit of making great films. With their power suits masking their never-ending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting, and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe. As someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes movies, it's the job Matt's been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him.

GenreComedy
True Detective
Running

True Detective

Touch darkness and darkness touches you back. True Detective centers on troubled cops and the investigations that drive them to the edge. Each season features a new cast and a new case.

True Detective is an American anthology crime drama television series created and written by Nic Pizzolatto. 

S.W.A.T.
Running

S.W.A.T.

Shemar Moore stars as a locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant newly tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, former Marine Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson has everything it takes to be an excellent leader and bridge the divide between his two worlds.

The Equalizer
Running

The Equalizer

A reimagining of the classic series, The Equalizer centers on enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn.