Original version

BBC Radio 2 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Light Programme.

BBC Radio 2

Radio 2

Barbara Windsor Celebrates...

Music: Easy Listening, Soundtracks & Musicals

barbara-windsor_0511_pp.jpg

Barbara Windsor looks back on some favourites

Barbara Windsor Celebrates...: Danny La Rue

Music

10/01/2017

Danny La Rue

BBC Radio 2 - Barbara Windsor Celebrates..., Danny La Rue

Barbara Windsor celebrates the life of Danny La Rue.

Daniel Patrick Carroll began acting in female roles when he was a boy evacuated from London during the war. John Gielguld, the great classical actor saw Danny in the Navy in a female role in Singapore and recommended a professional stage career. After the war, Danny La Rue (as he was now known) built a reputation in nightclub revues alongside Barry Cryer, Ronnie Corbett, Victor Spinetti and...Barbara Windsor (Barbara and Danny became life-long friends). This led Danny to open his own highly successful Mayfair nightclub which attracted Royalty, the Underworld and the crème de la crème of show-business. Danny was a workaholic and at the height of his popularity from the 1960's to the 1980's, he regularly appeared on the West End Stage in musicals tailored for him; in his own spectacular West End Variety shows which ran for years; in Summer Season, Pantomime and on Radio, Records, TV and on the Big Screen. Danny was hit hard financially in the 1980's by unfortunate property investments and instead of taking a well-earned retirement, he was forced to work on to pay the bills, despite recurring health problems. Danny la Rue passed away in 2009. 
New interviews include: Barry Cryer, Denis Norden, Richard Mawbey (Danny's hairdresser and personal assistant), Annie Galbraith (Danny's Dressmaker and personal friend), Toni Palmer, Victor Spinetti, Agent Laurie Mansfield, Russell Davies, Johnny Mans and from the Archive...Danny La Rue himself.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Barbara Windsor Celebrates...

Danny La Rue

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 2

About BBC Radio 2