Radio and Television Personalities P and Q

Norman Painting
1924 - 2009

Actor who has worked as a sports commentator, but famous for playing Phil Archer in 'The Archers' on radio since 1951. In 'Call My Bluff' on BBC2 and 'Quote...Unquote...' on Radio 4.

Norrie Paramor
1914 - 1979

Musician who played piano in RAF shows, becoming a record producer in the 1950s with many LPs/albums and hits to his credit. Appeared frequently on TV and became Director of the BBC Midland Radio Orchestra in the 1970s.

Mary Parker
1931 - 2023

Actress who appeared on TV in 'Fifty-Fifty' and 'Quite Contrary' and in television plays in the 1950s, before returning to Australia where she was brought up.

Jack Parnell
1923 - 2010

Drummer who formed his own band after playing with Ted Heath (qv). His band appeared on many ATV shows including 'Sunday Night At The London Palladium'. Later had his own television show and became one of the best known bands around.

Nicholas Parsons
1923 - 2020

Actor who appeared in plays and variety on radio and later teamed up with Arthur Haynes on his ITV show. Compered 'Sale Of The Century' on Anglia TV and appeared on stage and in films. Chairman of radio's long-running 'Just a Minute' since it began in 1967.

Wally Patch
1888 - 1970

Actor who appeared in many films in character parts and on TV in plays and series' episodes.

Betty Paul
1921 - 2011

Actress who began broadcasting soon after the war. Appeared in 'Children's Newsreel' and in the comedy show 'Up The Pole' on radio with Ben Warris (qv).

Jack Payne
1899 - 1969

Band-leader who appeared regularly on radio and TV. Also a disc jockey with a record programme on BBC radio, and a TV show 'Off The Record' in the 1950's.

Lawrence Payne
1919 - 2009

Actor who appeared on stage, radio, and films and was often seen on TV, especially as D'Artagnan in 'The Three Musketeers' in 1954.

Kim Peacock
1901 - 1966

Actor who began on the stage and also wrote scripts before playing Paul Temple in the radio series of that name for several series.

Horace Percival
1886 - 1961

Actor who was a regular in ITMA (the Diver) and played Mr Wimpole in 'Life With The Lyons'.

Jon Pertwee
1919 - 1996

Actor who appeared with Eric Barker (qv) in 'Merry Go Round'. A major role in radio's 'The Navy Lark' was later followed by becoming the third Doctor Who on TV and another title role as 'Worzel Gummidge'. Also some film roles.

Michael Pertwee
1916 - 1991

Writer who scripted 'The Grove Family' for BBC TV in 1954 and appeared in some panel games. A playwright and wrote scripts for many TV series and films. Brother of Jon Pertwee (qv).

Sylvia Peters
1926 - 2016

Was working in musical comedy and revue when she auditioned for a job as a television anno-uncer in 1947. Became one of the most well-known faces on 1950s TV on the BBC.

Leslie Phillips
1924 - 2022

Actor who became best known for his comedy roles in films, radio and TV when he often played a 'cad', chasing young women as epitomised by his roles in the Doctor films. But also played some straight parts.

Sid Phillips
1907 - 1973

Bandleader who formed his first band in 1925 and later played with the Ambrose Orchestra. Formed another band of his own after the war and made many recordings and broadcasts.

Wilfred Pickles
1904 - 1978

One time actor who became an announcer and BBC newsreader, the first with a regional (Yorkshire) accent. Compered radio's popular show 'Have A Go' from 1946 to 1967, and also his TV show on BBC 'Ask Pickles' in 1954. From 1970 to 1972 appeared in the TV sitcom 'For the Love Of Ada' and in some straight roles as well as a few films, notably 'Billy Liar'.

Ken Platt
1921 - 1998

'I won't take me coat off - we're not stopping' was the catch phrase of this northern comedian who first broadcast in 'Variety Fanfare' in 1951. His radio series 'We're Not Stopping' followed, and appeared on 'Spot The Tune' on ITV in 1955. Later in the TV comedy series 'Wild, Wild Women' and 'Our Kid'.

Roy Plomley
1914 - 1985

Devisor of the long-running radio programme 'Desert Island Discs' which began in 1942. Also on 'We Beg to Differ' and 'Round Britain Quiz' and wrote plays and acted too.

Eric Pohlmann
1913 - 1979

Austrian-born character actor who appeared in many films and made frequent broadcasts, often playing a villain but also did some comedy roles.

Eric Portman
1903 - 1969

Actor who was best known for his film roles, but who began acting on the stage and made occasional broad-casts.

Ellis Powell
1906- 1963

Actress who was the first Mrs Dale in radio's 'Mrs Dale's Diary' in 1948. Married to Ralph Truman (qv).

Guy Kingley Poynter
1915 - 1983

American-born actor who acted with the Orson Welles Mercury Theatre and later played West End parts. Narrated, and subsequently played 'Doc' Matthews, in the popular BBC radio series 'Journey Into Space' which began in 1953.

Maureen Pryor
1922 - 1977

Irish-born actress who appeared on stage and on TV. In BBC TV's 'Nathaniel Titlark' with Bernard Miles (qv) in 1957 and appeared in episodes of several TV series.