Dickie Henderson
| Dickie Henderson | |
|---|---|
| Born |
30 October 1922 London, England |
| Died | 22 September 1985 (aged 62) London, England |
| Occupation | Comedian, dancer and entertainer |
Richard Matthew Michael "Dickie" Henderson, OBE (30 October 1922 – 22 September 1985) was an English entertainer.
His father, Dick Henderson (1891–1958) 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 Britain, at St. Joseph's College, Beulah Hill, London.
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 Noël 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. Henderson Junior 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 ITV television programme: 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. There were five shows in 1960, twenty-three in 1961, twelve in 1962, twenty-two in 1963, ten in 1964 and eleven in 1965. There was another single show in 1971.
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