Dick Emery

Richard Gilbert Emery (19 February 19152 January 1983) was an English comedian and comic actor. Best known for this catchphrase, "Ooh You Are Awful... But I Like You!", his broadcasting career began on radio in the 1950s, and his self-titled television series ran from 1963 to 1981.

Life and career Richard Gilbert Emery was born 19 February 1915, in University College Hospital, Bloomsbury, London. His parents were the comedy double act Callan and Emery. He tried a variety of jobs before the stage: mechanic, office boy, farm hand and driving instructor.

During the Second World War he was called up to the RAF and rose to the rank of corporal. However, because of family problems, he returned to London, joining the chorus line of The Merry Widow at the Majestic Theatre, although he was subsequently recognised, arrested and imprisoned. He was recruited by Ralph Reader into the RAF Gang Show to entertain air and ground crew at bases in Great Britain.

At this time he created Vera Thin (the Forces' Sweetheart), loosely based on Vera Lynn, later saying, "I was better in drag than combat gear". His television debut came in 1950 on The Centre Show on the BBC. He appeared on TV programmes including Round the Bend (BBC, 1955–56) and Educating Archie (ITV, 1958–59) and appeared with his friend Tony Hancock in several episodes of The Tony Hancock Show (ITV, 1956) and Hancock's Half Hour (BBC, 1957).

In a sporadic film career he made his debut in the Goons' The Case of the Mukkinese Battle Horn (directed by Joseph Sterling, 1954). Other singles included "A Cockney Christmas" (1962), "You're The Only One" (1974) and "Rocking Horse Cowboy" (1979). In 1979, Emery moved to ITV for three specials before returning to the BBC in 1980 and resuming The Dick Emery Show.

By 1982, Emery was tiring of the format for his BBC series and wanted to do something different. Using a new format and character, Jewish private detective Bernie Weinstock, Emery had a new outlet – two series of comedy thrillers under the banner Emery Presents (BBC, 1982–83), Legacy of Murder and Jack of Diamonds.

Personal life

Emery had a very difficult childhood initially, but things settled down following the departure of his father, Laurie Howe. to whom he was still married at the time of his death, although he had left her to live with Fay Hillier, an actress 30 years his junior.

Outside showbusiness, he enjoyed flying, and held a pilot's licence from 1961 onwards. He also liked fast cars and motorcycles. He was a keen maker of scale models, and was president of the Airfix Modellers' Club. He also wrote a review feature for Meccano Magazine during 1971.

While the public took him to heart, voting him BBC TV Personality of the Year in 1972, Emery suffered from severe stage fright and low self-esteem. He underwent psychoanalysis and hypnosis, and took sedatives to try to cure the problems.

He had four children, Gilbert, Nicholas, Michael and Eliza,

Selected filmography Film The Super Secret Service (short) (1953) – Pules The Case of the Mukkinese Battle Horn (short) (1956) – Mr. Nodule / Mr.Crimp / Maurice Ponke Follow a Star (1959) – Inebriated Party Guest (uncredited) Light Up the Sky! (1960) – Harry A Taste of Money (1960) – Morrissey Mrs. Gibbons' Boys (1962) – Woodrow Crooks Anonymous (1962) – Reginald Cundell The Fast Lady (1962) – Shingler Just for Fun (1963) – Juke Box Jury Members The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963) – Man in Flat 307 (uncredited) The Knack...and How to Get It (1965) – uncredited voiceover The Big Job (1965) – Frederick 'Booky' Binns River Rivals (1967) Yellow Submarine (1968) – Jeremy Hilary Boob, Ph.D. / Lord Mayor / Max (voice) Baby Love (1969) – Harry Pearson Loot (1970) – Mr. Bateman Ooh... You Are Awful (1972) – Charlie Tully Find the Lady (1976) – Leo

Television The Adventures of Aggie (1956–57) Faces of Jim (1961–63) The Dick Emery Show (1963–1981) 19 series – 162 episodes – Various Characters The Dick Emery Christmas Show: For Whom the Jingle Bells Toll (1980) – Various Characters The Dick Emery Hour (1979) 3 episodes – Himself / Various Characters Legacy of Murder (1982) – Bernie Weinstock / Lord Algrave / Joe Galleano / Monica Danvers-Crichton Jack of Diamonds (1983) – Bernie Weinstock / Cyril Blackman / Det. Insp. Dearlove / Lady Holtye / Gen. von Klaus (Last appearance)