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.
déc. 22, 2016
