Dickie Henderson

Dickie Henderson
Born	30 October 1922(1922-10-30) London, UK
Died	22 September 1985(1985-09-22) (aged 62)
Nationality	British
Occupation	Comedian, dancer and entertainer

Dickie Henderson, OBE (30 October 1922 – 22 September 1985) was a London-born entertainer.

Early years

His father, Dick Henderson (1891, in Hull, Yorkshire - 1958) was a music hall comedian and singer famous for his short, rotund appearance, bowler hat and beautiful singing voice. He was well known for making the original British recording of the popular song "Tiptoe Through the Tulips". His two daughters, "the Henderson Twins", were also performers in the style of the "Andrews Sisters".

Henderson was privately educated in both Hollywood, when his father was touring in vaudeville, and in Britain, at St. Joseph's College, Beulah Hill, London.

Career

In America, Henderson broke into show-business, aged 10, when he was offered a role as the son of Clive Brook and Diana Wynyard in the Frank Lloyd film version of Noel Coward's play, Cavalcade (1933).

He was also in the running for the part of David Copperfield in David Copperfield, but his father insisted that he decline the part and return to Britain, because he felt Hollywood was not the place for a young boy. He toured in music halls and appeared in several films with his famous father.

Dickie Henderson 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, followed by appearing in Before Your Very Eyes with Arthur Askey. He compered Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

He starred in his own show: The Dickie Henderson Half Hour in 1958 and afterwards hosted 84 episodes of The Dickie Henderson Show. In the sitcom, June Laverick played his wife and John Parsons their son. Lionel Murton starred as Dickie's friend Jack and Danny Grover played Richard Jr. Stories included teaching his wife to drive only to be forced to undergo a retest at the end with a man he has run into a number of times as his tester. In another episode, he lectures Richard on jealousy and then an old flame of his wife's turns up. There was also singing and dancing in the shows. There were 5 shows in 1960, 23 in 1961, 12 in 1962, 22 in 1963, 10 in 1964 and 11 in 1965. There was another single show in 1971.

Other tv work included a series of A Present For Dickie, several spectaculars and a famous partnership with Bob Monkhouse in I'm Bob, He's Dickie followed by I'm Dickie - That's Showbusiness. He went on to make many stage appearances including 20 months in Teahouse of the August Moon, followed by When in Rome, Stand by your Bedouin and And the bridge makes three. He also maded many working trips abroad to: USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong and Holland.

Other

He 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.

Family

He married Dixie Ross, a member of the three Ross Sisters, whose act combined singing and acrobatics. They had a son Matthew and a daughter Linda. After the death of his first wife, he remarried, to Gwynneth Henderson.

Dickie Henderson died from cancer, on 22 September 1985, aged 62.

Persondata
Name	Henderson, Dickie
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	30 October 1922
Place of birth	London, UK
Date of death	22 September 1985
Place of death