- Geoffrey Hayes
Geoffrey Hayes (born
13 March ,1942 inStockport ,Cheshire ) is an English television presenter and actor, best known as the host ofThames Television 's top-rated children's show "Rainbow" from 1973 to 1992. Before that, he had much other work, including a recurring role inBBC1 's police drama "Z Cars ".After "Rainbow"
After "Rainbow" was cancelled, he continued to get work in television and
pantomime , but it was not enough to earn a living as an actor, so he took a job working as a stock replenisher for the Britishsupermarket chainSainsbury's , before becoming ataxi driver , which he is still doing today.Hayes has recently admitted he had not been wise with his money, and had little left by the time "Rainbow" came to an end. He also starred in a humorous
television advert about investing money, making fun of his fall from the top.In 1996, Hayes appeared in the video for "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" by Oasis tribute band, "NoWaySis". He replicated the role as a taxi driver, just as
Patrick Macnee had done in the Oasis video for "Don't Look Back In Anger"."Rainbow" revival rumours
Rumours were rife, during the late 1990s and early 2000s, that Hayes would be working on a new series of "Rainbow". However, as yet, nothing has come out of it. Nevertheless, for millions of people who remember the show from their childhood, it remains fondly remembered and in recent years, despite a long absence on television, it has seen a revival in the UK with toys of the shows' puppets being reproduced and sold in shops, as well as a tongue-in-cheek book about the show, co-written by Hayes. He also has writing credits for "Rainbow" and "
The Great Pony Raid " in 1967.Present day
In 2005, Hayes appeared on the television show "This Morning", talking about the heyday of "Rainbow", and also appeared in the all-star line up for the video of
Tony Christie withPeter Kay 's #1 hit single "Is This The Way To Amarillo? ". On3 April ,2006 , Geoffrey was seen as a special guest onITV1 's late-night show "The Mint ".Hayes is a fan of the Scottish football team
Dundee United , having lived in the city in the 1960s. This has been reported as being the reason that one of his "Rainbow" co-stars, Zippy was coloured Tangerine (his team's colours), instead of blue (the colour of rivalsDundee FC ).External links
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0371024/ Geoffrey Hayes at the Internet Movie Database]
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