Vic Oliver - The First Castaway Remembered

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Vic Oliver - The First Castaway Remembered: Episode 1

David Baddiel explores the mercurial life of entertainer Vic Oliver.

As the popular radio series Desert Island Discs celebrates 70 years this month, David Baddiel explores the mercurial life of the very first castaway, entertainer Vic Oliver.

As Desert Island Discs celebrates 70 years this month, David Baddiel explores the mercurial life of its very first castaway, entertainer Vic Oliver. 

In the early forties presenter Roy Plomley devised a series which has been a constant presence in the choppy waters of radio ever since. The very first broadcast of Desert Island Discs was recorded at the bomb-damaged Maida Vale studios, London, on 27 January 1942. Plomley's guest was Vic Oliver.

In the forties, as a comedian, musician, host and music hall act Oliver was a household name. He'd married Winston Churchill's daughter and found fame appearing on the wartime radio show "Hi Gang" while forging a successful stage career. 

During those war years he'd also attracted the attention of the Nazi party who'd included his name on a list of people to be arrested in the event of a successful invasion of Britain, there are also false reports that his mother had perished in a concentration camp despite Oliver confirming in his 1950's autobiography that his mother was alive and well and living in London. 

As David Baddiel discovers there's a series of false accounts, myths and contradictions concerning Oliver's personal life, his relationship with the Churchill family, his impact on the world of entertainment along with an untold story of how he appeared to keep his Jewish background private.

With archive of Oliver in conversation and performance, contributors include; Bill Pertwee, Writer Brad Ashton, Theatre Historian Chris Woodward and trumpeter Joan Hinde. 

The programme is written by Phil Collinge and produced in Salford by Stephen Garner.

Vic Oliver: The First Castaway Remembered

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David Baddiel explores the mercurial life of the very first Desert Island Discs castaway, entertainer Vic Oliver. 

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - Vic Oliver - The First Castaway Remembered, Episode 1

David Baddiel explores the mercurial life of the very first Desert Island Discs castaway, entertainer Vic Oliver. From 2012.

As Desert Island Discs celebrates 80 years, David Baddiel explores the mercurial life of its very first castaway, entertainer Vic Oliver.

In the forties, as a comedian, musician, host and music hall act Oliver was a household name. He'd married Winston Churchill's daughter and found fame appearing on the wartime radio show "Hi Gang" while forging a successful stage career.

The programme explores the myths and contradictions concerning Oliver's personal life, with archive of the entertainer in conversation and performance, along with with contributions from Bill Pertwee, Writer Brad Ashton and trumpeter Joan Hinde.

Producer: Stephen Garner.

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Vic Oliver - The First Castaway Remembered

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