7/2/81: The final 'Dick Emery Show' aired

On th evening of Saturday 7 February 1981 BBC One aired what would be the final Dick Emery Show, featuring the comic talents of comedy actor Dick Emery (b. 1915).

During the programme, Emery would showcase a number of invented characters, each one with their exaggerated cartoon-like characteristics, such as the buck-toothed parish priest, the gormless youth - playing 'son' to 'father' Roy Kinnear, or the voluptuous middle aged blonde with her catch phrase "ooh, you are awful...but I like you".

pic: britishclassiccomedy.co.uk

The show had become a firm favourite with British viewers throughout the sixties and seventies, although the actor had left the BBC in 1979 for ITV where he made three one hour specials, returning to the BBC in 1980.

Emery died in January 1983.

source: British Comedy Guide, BBC genome