Roy Castle
Roy Castle OBE | |
---|---|
Born | Scholes, West Riding of Yorkshire, England | 31 August 1932
Died | 2 September 1994 Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, England | (aged 62)
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1953–1994 |
Known for | Record Breakers |
Spouse |
Fiona Dickson (m. 1963) |
Children | 4, including Ben |
Roy Castle
Early career
Castle was born in
Television and film career
Castle guest-starred in an episode of the
Castle also appeared in
In 1967 and 1968, Castle co-starred with
Record Breakers
In 1972, he first presented Record Breakers, a children's show, and he remained host for over 20 years. He recorded the theme song "Dedication" for the show himself, and usually performed it live over the closing credits. While presenting the show he broke nine world records himself, including
- Fastest
- Longest wing walk – 3 hours, 23 minutes.[6]
- Playing the same tune on 43 different instruments in four minutes.
- On 2 November 1985, the Daily Mirror reported that "Twinkle-toed Roy Castle has the world at his feet...the millionth time in 24 hours. This was the moment when he tap-danced his way to a new record and raised £1 million for charity. The comedian, host of TV's Record Breakers, averaged nearly twelve steps a second during the sponsored feat in London. Roy, 53, had already qualified as the world's fastest tap-dancer."[8]
He was a host of the show up until a few months before his death in 1994, alongside Norris and (until his murder[9] in 1975) Ross McWhirter, Fiona Kennedy and Cheryl Baker. From then on, hosting was taken over by Baker and former athlete Kriss Akabusi. It continued for 29 years until 2001, making it one of Britain's longest-running shows.
Singing career
Between 1958 and 1969, Castle recorded three
Castle's recording career also included the spoken word. In 1978, for the Scripture Union Label, he recorded eight Bible parables, released on side 1 of the LP Castle on Luke Street, (SU0806), from the 'Luke Street' books, by David Lewis. Side 2 was spoken by Kenneth Williams, Dora Bryan, Derek Nimmo, and Thora Hird, who narrated one story each.[citation needed]
Personal life
Castle married dancer
Castle was a
On 31 December 1992, Castle was awarded the
Illness and death
Castle was diagnosed with
During and shortly after Castle's illness, many smoke-free restaurants and cafes were awarded the Roy Castle Clean Air Award to denote their adherence to a (then voluntary) smoke-free regime.
His final contribution to Record Breakers was aired at the conclusion of the 1993 series, although the programme continued until 2001.
He died at his home in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire on the morning of 2 September 1994, two days after his 62nd birthday. A week before his death he was made a freeman of the City of Liverpool.[14]
His funeral service took place on 8 September 1994 in
Aftermath
His widow Fiona worked with the charity after her husband's death, and campaigned for the British smoking ban, which came into effect in Northern Ireland in 2004, Scotland in 2006, and England and Wales in 2007, banning smoking in virtually all enclosed public places.[15]
Works
Year | Title | Publisher | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|
1986 | Roy Castle on tap : his unique tap dancing course | Newton Abbot ; North Pomfret, Vt. : David & Charles | 9780715388693 |
1988 | Jogging the memories : confessions of a fitness freak | London : W.H. Allen | 9780491031677 |
1994 | Roy Castle | London: BBC Enterprises | 9780563390121 |
1995 | Now and then : an autobiography | London: Pan | 9780330341936 |
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1960 | Sink the Bismarck! | Seaman on Prince of Wales | Uncredited |
1960 | Light up the Skies | Private Smith | Uncredited |
1965 | Dr. Terror's House of Horrors | Biff Bailey | (segment "Voodoo") |
1965 | Dr. Who and the Daleks | Ian Chesterton | |
1966 | Alice Through the Looking Glass |
Lester the Jester | |
1967 | The Plank | Delivery Man with boxes (Wilfred Bavistock) | |
1968 | Carry On Up the Khyber | Capt. Keene | |
1969 | Pickwick |
Sam Weller | |
1975 | Legend of the Werewolf | Photographer |
References
- ^ GRO Register of Births: DEC 1932 9a 303 HUDDERSFIELD – Roy Castle, mmn = Swallow
- ^ GRO Register of Deaths: "SEP 1994 B13A 237 CHILTERN & SOUTH BUCKS – Roy Castle, DoB = 31 Aug 1932" aged 62
- ^ "Appeal launched for memories of Nora Bray's dance school". examiner.co.uk. 6 August 2011.
- ^ "ROY CASTLE | Artist | Official Charts". UK Chart Archive. Official Charts Company. 22 December 1960. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
- ^ "Bravo Encore - Theatre programmes_B". www.bravoencore.co.uk.
- ^ a b "h2g2 – Roy Castle – Entertainer – A810073". BBC. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
- ^ "All About Tap Dance". TheatreDance.com. 14 January 1973. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
- ^ Daily Mirror newspaper Saturday 2 November 1985 page 7.
- ^ "1975: TV presenter Ross McWhirter shot dead". BBC News. 27 November 1975. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ Aberdeen Press and Journal - 30 July 1993
- ^ GRO Register of Marriages: SEP 1963 6a 1063 ETON – Roy Castle = Joan F. Dickson
- ^ "Love Southend Profiles". 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 5 July 2007.
- ^ "Cancer centre fulfils Roy Castle's dream". BBC News Online. BBC. 12 May 1998. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ^ "Recipients of the Honorary Freedom of the City of Liverpool". Liverpool Town Hall. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "How has the smoking ban changed our health?". Heart Matters. British Heart Foundation. Retrieved 15 August 2022.