Anecdotes

He bought the rights to the score of an unknown musical. This was Lionel Bart's "Oliver!", and Bygraves made a fortune.

He appeared at the London Palladium with Judy Garland in the early 1950s. She was so impressed that she took him back to New York with her and he performed on Broadway for five months.

After World War II, he appeared on stage with Benny Hill, Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan, and Frankie Howerd.

He was initially trained as a carpenter.

He was in the RAF during the war, stationed at Hornchurch, Essex, UK. His wife, Blossom, was in the WAF, also stationed at Hornchurch.

Children with Blossom: daughters Christine and Maxine, son Anthony Bygraves.

He grew up in a two-room flat with his parents, a grandparent, and five siblings. His father was a boxer in London's East End.

Living on Queensland's Gold Coast in Australia; recently returning to England for performances. (septembre 2006)

Adopted the nickname Max when in the forces in tribute to his hero, comedian 'Max Miller'.

He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1983 Queen's New Year Honours List for his services to entertainment.

When he was in the RAF, comedian Max Wall was his drill corporal, Norrie Parramor played the piano at camp concerts.

He's written a number of songs including You Need Hands.

He met his wife Blossom when they were in the RAF.

His pianist was Bob Dixon who'd been with him since 1951.

He was a carpenter in the RAF.

As a child, he would spend his pocket money going to the music hall then imitate the entertainers for his family when he got home.,.

He made twenty Royal Variety Performance appearances and presented numerous programmes, including Family Fortunes between 1983 and 1985.

He was an English comedian, singer, actor and variety performer.

On 9 August 1974, Bygraves became stuck on a cliff near his house in Westbourne, Bournemouth, when a kite flown by his grandson Michael became trapped beneath the edge of the cliff. He suffered friction burns on his hands and was in shock when police and firefighters helped him to safety.

Bygraves also had three other children from extramarital affairs.

Bygraves was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2010, and he died from complications of this illness at his daughter's home in Hope Island, Queensland, Australia.

In 1982, Bygraves was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

From 1972, Bygraves recorded a series of albums, Sing Along With Max (later Singalongamax), in which he sang medleys of familiar songs aimed at an older audience. The albums, for Pye Records, sold millions of copies and led to spinoff shows and more recordings.

His catchphrase "I wanna tell you a story" became an integral part of his act, although it had originated with comedian Mike Yarwood impersonating Bygraves.

He always kept the persona of a cheerful cockney stevedore - smart-alecky but good-natured - with a reassuringly imposing presence and the sort of innocent bawdiness that would not upset anyone.