Dickie Henderson(1922-1985)

Dickie Henderson OBE was born in London on 30th October 1922. He played in Frank Lloyd's Hollywood version of Noel Coward's play, "Cavalade", at the age of 10. He was educated privately in Hollywood and London (at St.Joseph's College, Beulah Hill). He toured in music halls and appeared in several films with his famous father Dick Henderson (1891-1958). He served in the army during the Second World War, before appearing in revues, pantomimes and occasional films after demobilisation. He began a successful television career in 1953, with 'Face the Music', which was followed by the 'Arthur Askey Show'. He compered 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium', hosted 120 'Dickie Henderson Shows', a series of 'A Present for Dickie', several spectaculars and a famous partnership with Bob Monkhouse. He has appeared in eight Royal Command Performances. He was a keen golfer and enjoyed most sports. He was a leading 'Water Rat' and was awarded the OBE, in recognition of his charitable work. He married twice and had a son Matthew and a daughter Linda. He died from cancer, on 22nd September 1985, aged 62.