Radio and Television Personalities M

Robert MacDermot
1910? - 1964

Indian-born, appeared in repertory then joined the BBC as newsreader and announcer. Head of BBC TV drama in 1948/49.

Alex MacIntosh
1925 - 1997

Radio announcer, disc jockey and actor during his time in Australia from 1948. Then followed McDonald Hobley (qv) as staff announcer on BBC TV in 1956. Appeared in a few films and TV shows. Father of actor Fraser MacIntosh.

Ken MacIntosh
1919 - 2005

Saxophonist who played with several bands before forming his own band in 1949. Performed live on BBC Midlands radio and later on the Light Programme and also made records with the band.

Jacqueline MacKenzie
1926 - 1988

Actress who made some radio and television app-earances in the mid-1950s before joining TV's 'Harding Finds Out'. Then had her own series 'Highlight' in 1955. Wrote and appeared in the 1958 TV sitcom 'Trouble For Two' with Lorrae Desmond (qv).

Sandy MacPherson
1897 - 1975

Canadian-born he joined the BBC as staff organist before the war and became one of its most familiar voices introducing the various shows in which he played the organ.

Stewart MacPherson
1908 - 1995

Canadian-born he was a sports commentator, compere and quiz master for the BBC and hosted radio's popular 'Ignorance Is Bliss' and 'Down Your Way' and 'Twenty Questions' in the 1940s.

Peter Madden
1905 - 1976

Malayan-born character actor and one-time newsreader for the BBC. Introduced 'Music From The Movies' and 'Music Parade' and appeared on 'Educating Archie' on radio and in many films.

Mary Malcolm
1918- 2010

A very familiar face on TV as an announcer in the early days of post-war television. Also did interviews and worked as a compere.

Miles Malleson
1888 - 1969

Actor who appeared on stage, radio, films and TV as well as writing plays and film scripts.

Annunzio Mantovani
1905 - 1980

Italian-born violinist and orchestra leader whose face was familiar to TV viewers from the 1940s on. Made many records and his popular orchestra had an instantly recog-nisable sound with its 'cascading strings' effect. Had his own television series and made many radio broadcasts.

Howard Marion-Crawford
1914 - 1969

Actor who made many films and played Paul Temple in 1946, among other appearances on radio. Another distinctive voice.

Alfred Marks
1921 - 1996

Very deep-voiced actor who appeared in comedy and drama. His own shows were 'Don't Look Now' in 1950 and 'Alfred Marks Time' from 1956.

Sylvia Marriott
1917 - 1995

Actress who appeared in many TV plays and series such as 'Fabian Of The Yard' and 'Big Man'.

Ray Martin
1918 - 1988

Austrian-born orchestra leader, a regular on radio and television. His first radio series was 'Reprise' in 1947 and he conducted the BBC Northern Variety Orchestra. His shows included 'Quite Contrary', 'Ray's Half Hour' and 'Isn't it Romantic'. He made many records and left the UK for America in 1957.

Sheila Mathews
? -

Singer who appeared in stage revues. In America for four years, she made her TV debut there and returned to the UK to appear in one of ITV's first programmes, 'Friday's Girl' with Malcolm Lockyer (qv) in 1955. Appeared on Tyne Tees Television's 'The Boys Request'.

Christopher Mayhew
1915 - 1997

Politician and TV presenter of current affairs programmes such as 'Britain In Decline', a series broadcast in 1956

Bill Maynard
1928 - 2018

Comedian and actor who formed a partnership with Terry Scott (qv) and their show 'Great Scott - It's Maynard! was broadcast in 1955/56. He appeared without Scott in 'Mostly Maynard' in 1957 and from 1974 in 'Oh No - It's Selwyn Froggitt' on ITV. Latterly seen in the long-running ITV series 'Heartbeat'. Also made films and appeared on stage.

Hugh McDermott
1908 - 1972

Scottish-born actor in films, radio and TV. In ITV's popular series, 'The Adventures Of Robin Hood'.

Betty McDowall
1914 - 1983

Australian-born actress who appeared on stage, TV and in films. Starred in the sitcom 'Call Me Sam' in 1959.

Geraldine McEwan
1932 - 2015

Actress of much talent who has appeared in many radio, television and film productions, becoming a well-known face on TV in plays and series. Appeared on radio's 'Hancock's Half Hour' in 1952.

Patrick McGoohan
1928 - 2009

American-born actor who appeared on stage in the West End and on TV in 'The Makepeace Story' in 1956. Later played John Drake in the 'Danger Man' ATV series in 1960/61/64 and as Number Six in 'The Prisoner' in 1967/68. Has made numerous films.

Bill McGuffie
1927- 1987

Scottish-born pianist. Played with dance bands and with the BBC Showband where he accompanied some famous singers. Played jazz and also scored some music for films.

Duncan McIntyre
1907 - 1973

Scottish-born actor, appeared in many radio serials, including 'Paul Temple' and in plays, TV series and in several films.

James McKechnie
1911 - 1964

Scottish-born actor who also narrated several programmes and made a few films.

Vera McKechnie
1927 -

TV presenter of programmes for children like 'Picture Book', 'Studio E' and 'Andy Pandy'. An afternoon hostess on BBC TV and a guest announcer.

Virginia McKenna
1931 -

Actress who became popular in films in the 1950s and apeared on BBC TV in 'Romeo and Juliet' in 1955, winning an award. Also on stage and in various television dramas and films, notably 'Born Free', with her husband, actor Bill Travers (1922 - 1994).

Robert McKenzie
1917 - 1981

Canadian-born broadcaster on politics and current affairs. Interviewed many major political figures but most remembered for his coverage of general elections using the famed Swing-ometer.

George Melachrino
1908 - 1965

Musician who appeared on Armed Forces Radio and the BBC during the war and with his own orchestra with the recognisable Melacrhino strings. Made many radio and television appearances as well as making records and writing a few film scores.

Andree Melly
1932 - 2020

Actress who made an early appearance in radio's' Hancock's Half Hour' and who frequently appeared on radio and TV thereafter, also acting on stage. Sister of jazz singer George Melly.

Alan Melville
1910 - 1983

Berwick-born, he joined the BBC as feature writer and producer. Wrote revues for the theatre and comedy for TV such as 'Raise Your Glasses' in 1962 in which he also appeared together with Arthur Askey (qv). Also heard on radio's 'Brains Trust'.

Jean Metcalfe
1923 - 2000

Announcer on BBC Forces Programme - later the Light Programme - who later compered 'Two Way Family Favourites' on radio with her eventual husband Cliff Michelmore (qv), and, in 1950, she presented 'Woman's Hour'.

Keith Michell
1926 - 2015

Australian-born actor who appeared on BBC Television in 'Pygmalion' in the 1950's and later found success with his portrayal of Henry VIII in 'The Six Wives Of Henry Eighth' in 1972. Made a few films.

Bryan Michie
1906 - 1971

Actor who later became an interviewer for 'In Town Tonight' on BBC radio. He presented 'Housewives Choice' on the Light Programme. Also well-known as an impresario.

Cliff Michelmore
1919 - 2016

Joined the British Forces Network as a sports commen-tator and outside broadcaster and introduced 'Two Way Family Favourites' from 1948 to 1950 on radio with his wife Jean Metcalfe (qv). TV debut with 'For the Children' in 1950 and went on to become a familiar face on TV when he presented the long-running 'Tonight ' magazine programme on BBC television from 1957 to 1965. 'Highlight' and '24 Hours' were other programmes he was involved with.

Mick and Montmorency
1913 - 2001 and 1925 - 2006

Jack Edwardes (Mick) and partner Charlie Drake (Montmorency), a comedy duo of varying heights who appeared in the children's shows 'Jigsaw' and 'Mick And Montmorency', later retitled 'Jobstoppers' in 1955 on ITV. Split up when Charlie Drake wanted to try adult TV with which he had much success with his own shows, 'Drake', 'The Charlie Drake Show' and 'The Worker' in the 1950s and 60s, also making some films and hit records. Later appeared in straight acting roles. 'Hello My Darlings' was his catch-phrase.

Noelle Middleton
1926 - 2016

Irish-born actress who appeared many times on television, films and on stage.

(Sir, later Lord) Bernard Miles
1907 - 1991

Well-known character actor on stage, films, radio and TV who first broadcast in 1935. TV debut in 'Mixed Bull' in 1946. Founded his own theatre, The Mermaid in 1951. Also appeared in TV commercials for Mackeson stout.

Michael Miles
1919 - 1971

New Zealand-born, he began his career as an announcer in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and South Africa. His first UK broadcast was in 'Radio Forfeits' on the BBC and his first TV show was 'Michael Miles' House Party' in 1951. Presented the popular game show 'Take Your Pick' on ITV from 1955 to 1968 and the later show, 'Wheel Of Fortune'.

Marian Miller
1931 -

Tynemouth-born singer who sang in the chorus with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and toured in 'Zip Goes A Million' where she was 'discovered' by comedian Charlie Chester (qv).

Max Miller
1894 - 1963

Legendary British comedian, billed as the 'Cheeky Chappie'. Wearing plus fours, white hat and kipper tie he was at his peak in the forties and fifties. His quick wit, timing and risque humour made him popular with theatre and radio audiences of the period. Sang songs in his act and also made some films.

Spike (Terence) Milligan
1918 - 2002

Indian-born, former musician who turned to comedy and scriptwriting. Famous for his appearances in 'The Goon Show' on radio, and author of several children's books and auto-biographies. He appeared in many television shows including 'A Show Called Fred', 'Son Of Fred', 'Q' and 'Curry And Chips'. A unique entertainer whose often bizarre and surreal comedy won him many admirers.

Leslie Mitchell
1905 - 1985

Scots-born announcer and commentator on BBC television before and after the war. Joined Associated Red-iffusion in 1955 with the birth of Independent Television where he both conducted interviews and chaired discussion programmes. Later freelance, had his own Tyne-Tees Television prog-ramme 'Those Wonderful Years'. Well known as the voice of British Movietone News in the cinema.

George Mitchell
1917 - 2002

Scots-born, he formed choirs while in the Forces and then formed The George Mitchell Choir in the 1950s, later becoming the George Mitchell Minstrels. They appeared in 'The Black and White Minstrel Show' on television until 1978, when the show was taken off.

Yvonne Mitchell
1925 - 1979

Actress first appearing on TV in 1952, but famous for her role in the 1954 adaptation of George Orwell's '1984' opposite Peter Cushing (qv). Also in several prominent film roles.

Bob Monkhouse
1928 - 2003

Popular comedian whose early partnership with Denis Goodwin (qv) began in 1949. Together they wrote scripts both for themselves and for other comics, and appeared in 'Fast and Loose' on BBC in 1954. The partnership split up in 1962 after which he became a very successfull entertainer, incl-uding as a game show host in TV's 'Candid Camera' (1960-1967), compere of The Golden Shot (1967-1975) and many others shows.

Morecambe and Wise
1926 - 1984 and 1925 - 1999

Hugely popular and well-loved comedians who met on Bryan Michies' (qv) 'Discoveries' as schoolboys. First broadcast in 1943 in 'Youth Must Have Its Swing'. Their show 'Running Wild' in 1954 flopped, but after appearances on the Winifred Atwell (qv) Show' in 1956 they bounced back with their own show in 1961, continuing om both BBC and ITV until 1983, their Christmas Shows becoming almost a national institution.

Andre Morell
1909 - 1978

Character actor who achieved fame as Professor Quatermas in 'Quatermas and The Pit' in 1958. Many other TV, radio and film appearances.

Gladys Morgan
1898 - 1983

Welsh-born comedian who began in 'Welsh Rarebit' in 1949. Appeared on 'The Frankie Howerd Show' on radio and TV and in 'Educating Archie'. Noted for her infectious laugh.

Patti Morgan
1928 - 2001

Australian-born model who had a few film parts and became hostess on BBC TV's 'Dancing Club'.

Moris, Marty and Mitch
??; 1934 - 1982; ??

Comedy act who made their debut on 'Showcase' in 1955. Also in the first TV version of The Billy Cotton Band Show. Trumpeter Marty eventually became better known as writer and comedian, Marty Feldman.

Dave Morris
1896 - 1960

Middlesbrough-born comic who starred in 'Club Night' on the BBC from 1950 to 1956, later transferring to television with Joe Gladwin and Fred Ferris. Also in 'The Artful Dodger' in 1959. A straw hat, glasses and a cigar were his trademark props.

Johnny Morris
1916 - 1999

Welsh-born entertainer who appeared in his own series 'Johhny's Jaunt' and was the Hot Chestnut Man on Children's TV in 'Playbox'. Also in 'Animal Magic' from 1962 to 1983 in which he did funny voices for the animals while appearing as a zookeeper. Also presented his travel experiences on radio in which he amusingly related his exploits abroad and did the voices of people he encountered, for example on a trip to the USA.

Ken Morris
1921 - 1968

Welsh-born, appeared in 'Stars In Battledress' during the war and in 'The Charlie Chester Show' in 1949. On TV in 'The Arthur Haynes Show' in 1957 with Joan Savage (qv) with whom he had by then teamed and married, playing the piano while she sang.

Lana Morris
1930 - 1998

Attractive actress who married Ronnie Waldman (qv), Head of Light Entertainment at the BBC. Appeared in several TV and radio plays and also in the theatre. Made a name for herself in films and in the hugely popular series 'The Forsyte Saga' in 1967 and was in 'Howard's Way' in the 1980's. Also a TV panellist.

Libby Morris
1930 -

Canadian-born, fast-talking com-edienne who appeared in 'Meet Libby Morris' and 'Two's Company', both 1956. Later in 'Space Patrol' and 'Alexander the Greatest'.

Clive Morton
1904 - 1975

Actor who appeared in many films and on TV in 'Silk, Satin, Cotton, Rags' in 1952 and 'Our Man at St Mark's' in 1963 and in many other roles.

Malcolm Muggeridge
1903 - 1990

Controversial ex-journalist, regarded by many as pompous, he became a well known reporter for 'Panorama' in the 1950's and interviewer in 'Appointment With' (1960/61) and 'Let Me Speak' (1964/65).

Barbara Mullen
1914 - 1979

American-born, originally a song and dance act but became an actress. Appeared on 'Tall Story Club' on BBC in the mid-1950's and in several film parts. Her biggest success was as Janet in the 'Dr Finlay's Casebook' series in the 1960's.

Richard Murdoch
1907 - 1990

First broadcast in 'Band Waggon' where he met Arthur Askey (qv). A regular in radio's popular 'Much-Binding-In-The-Marsh' as 'Stinker' Murdoch (catch-phrase 'Have you read any good books recently?') and later on TV with Arthur Askey in 'Living It Up' and in 'Beside The Seaside', both 1957. Later in the comedy series 'The Men From The Ministry' with Wilfred Hyde-White and Deryck Guyler, (both qv).

Barbara Murray
1929 - 2014

Joined her parent's variety act but later fulfilled her ambition to be an actress, appearing in Rank films in the late 1940's and 1950's. In 'Never A Cross Word', a sitcom on ITV in 1968 and in ITV's 'The Power Game' (1965 to 1969) as Lady Wilder, and several other series.

Chic Murray and Maidie
1919 - 1985 and 1922 - 2010

Both Scots-born, formed a comedy act together (and later married), touring variety theatres and appearing on TV, in 'Garrison Theatre' and 'Young And Foolish' in 1956 on ATV. Maidie (Dickson) played the accordion while Chic made droll comments and they sang songs together. When the diminutive Maidie retired, Chic carried on as a unique solo act, wearing a flat-cap or 'bonnet', and with his own unique brand of surreal humour.

Pete Murray
1925 -

Actor who joined Radio Luxembourg and came to the BBC Light Programme in 1958. Introduced pop programmes 'The Six Five Special' and 'Juke Box Jury' on TV and moved to pirate radio. Later on Radio 1 and Radio 2.

Stephen Murray
1912 - 1983

Actor who made many broadcasts as well as appearing on stage. In long-running radio comedy 'The Navy Lark'.