Radio and Television Personalities I and J

Michael Ingrams
1925 - 2009

A former actor, journalist and producer, he joined Associated-Rediffusion as assistant director on 'Children's Hour', and was later director and interviewer on 'This Week' the current affairs programme. Left to do his shows 'Look In On London' and 'Look Out On London'.

Nat Jackley
1909 - 1988

Sunderland-born comedian who starred in many West End revues. His own show 'Nat's In The Belfry' was on BBC TV in 1956. With his trademark rubber-neck dance and peculiar speech 'imped-iment' he made many appearances on TV variety and was a formidable and funny pantomime dame. Also made a few films and was in The Beatles 'Magical Mystery Tour' TV film of the sixties.

Freda Jackson
1909 - 1990

Actress who made many radio and television app-earances and acted in many films too. Many stage appearances in a wide variety of roles.

Gordon Jackson
1923 - 1990

Scots-born actor with many film and television roles to his credit. 'What Every Woman Knows' was his TV debut. Mr Hudson, the butler in ITV's 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and George Cowley in 'The Professionals ' were his best known TV parts.

Jack Jackson
1906 - 1978

Trumpeter and later bandleader who became a leading disc jockey on the BBC Light Programme with 'Record Round Up' and (sometimes) 'Housewives's Choice'. On Radio 2 he broadcast 'The Jack Jackson Show' from 1971 until 1977. He pioneered including clips from comedy shows into his programmes, rather than just introducing and playing the records.

David Jacobs
1926 - 2013

Became an announcer on the Forces Service during the war and also acted in radio's 'Journey Into Space' serial in the 1950s. Later famous as a disc jockey on several radio programmes and on TV as host on 'Juke Box Jury' and was in many other programmes, including on Radio Luxembourg.

Hattie Jacques
1924-1980

Music hall act and comedy actress who appeared in many radio and television shows and in films, especially the Carry On series. Stalwart of 'ITMA', 'Educating Archie' and 'Hancock's Half Hour' on radio and partnered Eric Sykes (qv) on TV.

Max Jaffa
1911 - 1991

Former RAF pilot who broadcast frequently playing the violin, often with the Palm court Orchestra. On TV's 'Music For You' with Eric Robinson (qv) and Jack Byfield.

Jimmy James
1892 - 1965

Stockton-on-Tees-born comedian, with gravel voice and ever-present cigarette. On TV in 'Home James' and 'Meet the Champ' and mumerous radio and TV appearances in variety shows, often with his stooges, Eli Woods, real name John Casey (1923-2014) and nephew Jack Casey.

Sid James
1913 - 1976

South African-born actor who appeared in many films in straight roles but later famous as a comedy performer in the Carry On films and in many radio and television shows, including 'Hancock's Half Hour' and 'Bless This House'.

Rex Jameson
1927 - 1981

'Variety Bandbox' was his first radio show when he introduced the character Mrs Shufflewick, a strange Cockney woman who wore outrageous hats. She/He also appeared on televison in variety shows like 'The Norman Evans Show'

Megs Jenkins
1917 - 1998

Actress who appeared in many films, often in sympathetic roles. On TV in 'Nathaniel Titlark' with Bernard Miles (qv) in 1956, and later in 'Oh No - It's Selwyn Froggitt' and in various TV plays.

Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warris
1909 - 1995 and 1909 - 1993

Comedy pair who were actually cousins who teamed up in 1934. In music hall originally, 'Up The Pole' was their first (of several) radio series from 1947 to 1952. On ATV in 'The Jewel And Warris Show' from 1957 to 1960. In the 1960s they split up with Ben continuing a variety act and Jimmy starring with Hylda Baker (qv) in 'Nearest And Dearest. Also great pantomime stars.

Mervyn Johns
1899 - 1992

Welsh-born actor who made many film, radio and TV appearances. Had a very distinctive voice and was perhaps better known for his films than his broadcasts.

Teddy Johnson
1919 - 2018

With his wife Pearl Carr (qv) he broadcast freqently as a singer, but was also an actor and a disc-jockey with Radio Luxembourg at one time.

Brian Johnston
1912 - 1994

The familiar voice of this well-known cricket comm-entator was heard on radio from 1946, and later on TV, but he returned to the radio broadcasts in 1970. Also did other programmes, including 'Let's Go Somewhere' on radio and 'All Your Own' a children's programme on TV. Panel games and commentaries on State occasions were other features of his career and he also presented radio's 'Down Your Way' from 1972.

Margaret Johnston
1918 - 2002

Australian-born actress who appeared mainly on stage but who made some films and was also on radio and TV.

The Jones Boys

Bernard Burgess, John Padley, Ron Robinson and Johnnie Harrsion were the four singers in this 1950s group who used The Jones Boys as both their signature tune and as the inspiration for the name of their close harmony group. Bernard Burgess was married to singer Ruby Murray (qv). and was also her manager.

Emrys Jones
1915 - 1972

Actor who appeared in films and on stage and who was often on television in plays and series.

Griffith Jones
1910 - 2007

Actor who first broadcast in 1931 in Julius Caesar and who has a long list of film and television credits as well as being a distinguished actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Peter Jones
1920 - 2000

Actor and playwright who became familiar due to his appearances as Harold Fenner in BBC TV's 'The Rag Trade' in 1961. Apeared in radio's 'Just A Minute' and 'The Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy' and appeared in several films.

Lind Joyce
1921 - 1971

Actress who joined the cast of ITMA after the war.

Betty Jumel
1901 - 1990

Music hall artist who worked in pant-omime with Norman Evans (qv) as a male impersonator while Norman played the pantomine dame.