Charlie Chester - Revision history

Kurt at 21:53, 13 April 2023

2023-04-13T21:53:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:53, 13 April 2023
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	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2019}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	~~\| name = Charlie Chester~~
	\| honorific_suffix = {{post nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|MBE}}		\| honorific_suffix = {{post nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|MBE}}
	\| image = Charlie Chester, 1954.jpg		\| image = Charlie Chester, 1954.jpg
	\| birthname = Cecil Victor Manser		\| birthname = Cecil Victor Manser
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1914\|04\|26\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1914\|04\|26\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[~~w:Eastbourne\|~~Eastbourne]], [[~~w:Sussex\|~~Sussex]], England		\| birth_place = [[Eastbourne]], [[Sussex]], England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1997\|6\|26\|1914\|04\|26\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1997\|06\|26\|1914\|04\|26\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = [[~~w:Twickenham\|~~Twickenham]], [[~~w:London\|~~London]], England		\| death_place = [[Twickenham]], [[London]], England
	\| spouse =		\| spouse =
	{{marriage\|Dorita Langley\|1939\|1992\|end=d.}}		{{marriage\|Dorita Langley\|1939\|1992\|end=d.}}
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	}}		}}

	'''Charlie Chester''' [[w:Order of the British Empire\|MBE]] (26 April 1914 – 26 June 1997) was an English [[w:comedian\|comedian]], [[w:radio\|radio]] and television presenter and writer, broadcasting almost continuously from the 1940s to the 1990s. His style was similar to that of [[Max Miller (comedian)\|Max Miller]].		'''Charlie Chester''' [[Order of the British Empire\|MBE]] (26 April 1914 – 26 June 1997) was an English [[comedian\|comedian]], [[radio\|radio]] and television presenter and writer, broadcasting almost continuously from the 1940s to the 1990s. His style was similar to that of [[Max Miller (comedian)\|Max Miller]].

	== Life and career ==		== Life and career ==

	Chester was born '''Cecil Victor Manser''' in [[~~w:Eastbourne\|~~Eastbourne]], [[~~w:Sussex\|~~Sussex]]. His first job after leaving education was as a grocer's errand boy, but he won talent competitions for his musical instrument playing and singing. Working as a travelling salesman for an embroidery company, Chester realised he had the gift of the gab and decided to become a professional comedian. Known as "Cheerful"<ref>per Russell Davies, (Show) BBC Radio 2, Sunday 15 April 2007: common form of nickname "Cheeky" is incorrect</ref> Charlie Chester, he was well known to British audiences in the 1940s from his [[~~w:BBC\|~~BBC]] radio show ''Stand Easy''. This show was adapted for [[~~w:television\|~~television]] as ''The Charlie Chester Show'' in 1949 and became a standup and sketch show for the next 11 years. Frequent cast members included Edwina Carroll, [[w:Henry Lytton, Jr.\|Henry Lytton]], Eric 'Jeeves' Grier, [[w:Len Lowe\|Len Lowe]], [[Deryck Guyler]], Len Marten, [[Arthur Haynes]] and Frederick Ferrari. A later recurring mini-serial in the show was "Whippit Kwik the Cat Burglar", whose whistled signature tune made Chester a national favourite. Tenor St Clair was replaced by Ferrari, known as "The Voice", and for whom Chester wrote the signature song "When Love Descended like an Angel". That was in fact the only fragment written, until listeners' demands forced him to write a full version so that Ferrari could record it.<ref name=gifford>{{cite news\|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-charlie-chester-1258200.html\|title=Obituary: Charlie Chester \|author=Denis Gifford \|author-link=w:Denis Gifford \|date=27 June 1997\|newspaper=[[w:The Independent]]\|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>		Chester was born '''Cecil Victor Manser''' in [[Eastbourne]], [[Sussex]]. His first job after leaving education was as a grocer's errand boy, but he won talent competitions for his musical instrument playing and singing. Working as a travelling salesman for an embroidery company, Chester realised he had the gift of the gab and decided to become a professional comedian. Known as "Cheerful"<ref>per Russell Davies, (Show) BBC Radio 2, Sunday 15 April 2007: common form of nickname "Cheeky" is incorrect</ref> Charlie Chester, he was well known to British audiences in the 1940s from his [[BBC]] radio show ''Stand Easy''. This show was adapted for [[television]] as ''The Charlie Chester Show'' in 1949 and became a standup and sketch show for the next 11 years. Frequent cast members included Edwina Carroll, [[Henry Lytton, Jr.\|Henry Lytton]], Eric 'Jeeves' Grier, [[Len Lowe\|Len Lowe]], [[Deryck Guyler]], Len Marten, [[Arthur Haynes]] and Frederick Ferrari. A later recurring mini-serial in the show was "Whippit Kwik the Cat Burglar", whose whistled signature tune made Chester a national favourite. Tenor St Clair was replaced by Ferrari, known as "The Voice", and for whom Chester wrote the signature song "When Love Descended like an Angel". That was in fact the only fragment written, until listeners' demands forced him to write a full version so that Ferrari could record it.<ref name=gifford>{{cite news\|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-charlie-chester-1258200.html\|title=Obituary: Charlie Chester \|author=Denis Gifford \|author-link=Denis Gifford \|date=27 June 1997\|newspaper=[[The Independent]]\|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>

	Chester's radio shows included ''A Proper Charlie'' and ''That Man Chester''. Another series – which started out as a section of ''The Charlie Chester Show'' in 1950 – was the quiz ''Pot Luck'', the first British TV programme to offer prizes for correctly answering questions.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Pot_Luck\|title=Pot Luck - UKGameshows\|website=www.ukgameshows.com\|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>		Chester's radio shows included ''A Proper Charlie'' and ''That Man Chester''. Another series – which started out as a section of ''The Charlie Chester Show'' in 1950 – was the quiz ''Pot Luck'', the first British TV programme to offer prizes for correctly answering questions.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Pot_Luck\|title=Pot Luck - UKGameshows\|website=www.ukgameshows.com\|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>

	In 1961, Chester starred in a BBC series called ''Charlie Chester On Laughter Service'', a music and comedy show which visited military bases throughout Britain. Most were co-written by Bernard Botting and Charlie Hart. Late in his career, Chester appeared in the [[w:Channel 4\|Channel 4]] television sitcom ''Never Say Die''.		In 1961, Chester starred in a BBC series called ''Charlie Chester On Laughter Service'', a music and comedy show which visited military bases throughout Britain. Most were co-written by Bernard Botting and Charlie Hart. Late in his career, Chester appeared in the [[Channel 4\|Channel 4]] television sitcom ''Never Say Die''.

	In the 1960s he began presenting a record show on the [[w:BBC Radio 2\|BBC Light Programme]], later BBC Radio 2. On 5 October 1970 he started his weekday show which from 1 October 1972 became his long-running radio show ''Sunday Soapbox'', which in later years came from the BBC's [[~~w:Birmingham\|~~Birmingham]] studios (previously from [[~~w:Manchester\|~~Manchester]]). He opened the programme each week with the introduction "With a box full of records and a bag full of post, it's radio Soapbox and Charlie your host!" The programme was transmitted on Sunday afternoons until Chester suffered a stroke in November 1995, after which he could not walk or talk. Its opening and signature tune was called ''Music To Drive By'' by Alan Moorhouse.		In the 1960s he began presenting a record show on the [[BBC Radio 2\|BBC Light Programme]], later BBC Radio 2. On 5 October 1970 he started his weekday show which from 1 October 1972 became his long-running radio show ''Sunday Soapbox'', which in later years came from the BBC's [[Birmingham]] studios (previously from [[Manchester]]). He opened the programme each week with the introduction "With a box full of records and a bag full of post, it's radio Soapbox and Charlie your host!" The programme was transmitted on Sunday afternoons until Chester suffered a stroke in November 1995, after which he could not walk or talk. Its opening and signature tune was called ''Music To Drive By'' by Alan Moorhouse.

	==Honours==		==Honours==
	He was the subject of ''[[w:This Is Your Life (UK TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1961 when he was surprised by [[~~w:Eamonn Andrews\|~~Eamonn Andrews]] at the BBC Television Theatre.		He was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (UK TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1961 when he was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]] at the BBC Television Theatre.

	Chester presented [[~~w:brass band\|~~brass band]] music in the series ''Listen to the Band'' and also featured in the [[w:BBC Radio 2\|BBC Radio 2]] show ''The Gag Cracker's Ball''. In his leisure time he enjoyed painting.~~{{citation needed\|date=February 2013}}~~ He was awarded the MBE in 1990.<ref name=gifford/>		Chester presented [[brass band]] music in the series ''Listen to the Band'' and also featured in the [[BBC Radio 2\|BBC Radio 2]] show ''The Gag Cracker's Ball''. In his leisure time he enjoyed painting. He was awarded the MBE in 1990.<ref name=gifford/>

	==Death==		==Death==
	He suffered a [[~~w:stroke\|~~stroke]] and died in [[~~w:Twickenham\|~~Twickenham]] on 26 June 1997 aged 83.		He suffered a [[stroke]] and died in [[Twickenham]] on 26 June 1997 aged 83.

	== TV credits ==		== TV credits ==
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	* ''The Charlie Chester Show'' (1949) (performer and writer)		* ''The Charlie Chester Show'' (1949) (performer and writer)
	* ''Christmas Box'' (1955) (performer)		* ''Christmas Box'' (1955) (performer)
	* ''[[w:Educated Evans (TV series)\|Educated Evans]]'' (1957) (performer)		* ''[[Educated Evans (TV series)\|Educated Evans]]'' (1957) (performer)
	* ''These Are The Shows'' (1957) (performer)		* ''These Are The Shows'' (1957) (performer)
	* ''[[w:The Two Charleys\|The Two Charleys]]'' (1959) (performer)		* ''[[The Two Charleys\|The Two Charleys]]'' (1959) (performer)
	* ''Charlie Chester On Laughter Service'' (1961) (performer and writer)		* ''Charlie Chester On Laughter Service'' (1961) (performer and writer)
	* ''[[w:The Charlie Chester Music Hall\|The Charlie Chester Music Hall]]'' (1961) (performer)		* ''[[The Charlie Chester Music Hall\|The Charlie Chester Music Hall]]'' (1961) (performer)
	* ''[[w:Jokers Wild (TV series)\|Jokers Wild]]'' (1969) (performer)		* ''[[Jokers Wild (TV series)\|Jokers Wild]]'' (1969) (performer)
	* ''Never Say Die'' (1987) (performer)		* ''Never Say Die'' (1987) (performer)

	== Film credits ==		== Film credits ==
	* ''[[w:Holiday Camp (film)\|Holiday Camp]]'' (1947) as himself		* ''[[Holiday Camp (film)\|Holiday Camp]]'' (1947) as himself
	* ''Can I Come Too?'' (1979) as Mr. Royal		* ''Can I Come Too?'' (1979) as Mr. Royal

	==Bibliography==		==Bibliography==
	* ''The World Is Full of Charlies'' (Autobiography) published NEL (1974)		* ''The World is Full of Charlies'' (Autobiography) published NEL (1974)

	==References==		==References==

Kurt at 18:48, 5 December 2022

2022-12-05T18:48:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:48, 5 December 2022
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	\| birth_place = [[w:Eastbourne\|Eastbourne]], [[w:Sussex\|Sussex]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Eastbourne\|Eastbourne]], [[w:Sussex\|Sussex]], England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1997\|6\|26\|1914\|04\|26\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1997\|6\|26\|1914\|04\|26\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = [[w:Twickenham\|Twickenham]], [[London]], England		\| death_place = [[w:Twickenham\|Twickenham]], [[w:London\|London]], England
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|Dorita Langley\|1939\|1992\|end=~~her death~~}}~~<br>~~{{marriage\|Joan Jarvis\|1994}}		\| spouse =
			{{marriage\|Dorita Langley\|1939\|1992\|end=d.}}
			{{marriage\|Joan Jarvis\|1994}}
	\| children = 1		\| children = 1
	\| years_active =		\| years_active =

Kurt: /* External links */

2022-12-05T18:47:40Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:47, 5 December 2022
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	*{{IMDb name\|id=0156312\|name=Charlie Chester}}		*{{IMDb name\|id=0156312\|name=Charlie Chester}}
	*[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-charlie-chester-1258200.html Obituary, by Denis Gifford, in The Independent]		*[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-charlie-chester-1258200.html Obituary, by Denis Gifford, in The Independent]

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Chester, Charlie}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Chester, Charlie}}

Kurt at 17:17, 15 August 2022

2022-08-15T17:17:15Z

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-07-20T19:23:16Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 14:23, 20 July 2022
(No difference)

en>Samuel J Walker at 23:02, 9 February 2022

2022-02-09T23:02:29Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Charlie Chester
| honorific_suffix = {{post nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}}
| image = Charlie Chester, 1954.jpg
| birthname = Cecil Victor Manser
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1914|04|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Eastbourne]], [[Sussex]], England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1997|6|26|1914|04|26|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Twickenham]], [[London]], England
| spouse = {{marriage|Dorita Langley|1939|1992|end=her death}}<br>{{marriage|Joan Jarvis|1994}}
| children = 1
| years_active =
}}

'''Charlie Chester''' [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] (26 April 1914 – 26 June 1997) was an English [[comedian]], [[radio]] and television presenter and writer, broadcasting almost continuously from the 1940s to the 1990s. His style was similar to that of [[Max Miller (comedian)|Max Miller]].

== Life and career ==

Chester was born '''Cecil Victor Manser''' in [[Eastbourne]], [[Sussex]]. His first job after leaving education was as a grocer's errand boy, but he won talent competitions for his musical instrument playing and singing. Working as a travelling salesman for an embroidery company, Chester realised he had the gift of the gab and decided to become a professional comedian. Known as "Cheerful"<ref>per Russell Davies, (Show) BBC Radio 2, Sunday 15 April 2007: common form of nickname "Cheeky" is incorrect</ref> Charlie Chester, he was well known to British audiences in the 1940s from his [[BBC]] radio show ''Stand Easy''. This show was adapted for [[television]] as ''The Charlie Chester Show'' in 1949 and became a standup and sketch show for the next 11 years. Frequent cast members included Edwina Carroll, [[Henry Lytton, Jr.]], Eric 'Jeeves' Grier, [[Len Lowe]], [[Deryck Guyler]], Len Marten, [[Arthur Haynes]] and Frederick Ferrari. A later recurring mini-serial in the show was "Whippit Kwik the Cat Burglar", whose whistled signature tune made Chester a national favourite. Tenor St Clair was replaced by Ferrari, known as "The Voice", and for whom Chester wrote the signature song "When Love Descended like an Angel". That was in fact the only fragment written, until listeners' demands forced him to write a full version so that Ferrari could record it.<ref name=gifford>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-charlie-chester-1258200.html|title=Obituary: Charlie Chester |author=Denis Gifford |author-link=Denis Gifford |date=27 June 1997|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>

Chester's radio shows included ''A Proper Charlie'' and ''That Man Chester''. Another series – which started out as a section of ''The Charlie Chester Show'' in 1950 – was the quiz ''Pot Luck'', the first British TV programme to offer prizes for correctly answering questions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Pot_Luck|title=Pot Luck - UKGameshows|website=www.ukgameshows.com|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>

In 1961, Chester starred in a BBC series called ''Charlie Chester On Laughter Service'', a music and comedy show which visited military bases throughout Britain. Most were co-written by Bernard Botting and Charlie Hart. Late in his career, Chester appeared in the [[Channel 4]] television sitcom ''Never Say Die''.

In the 1960s he began presenting a record show on the [[BBC Radio 2|BBC Light Programme]], later BBC Radio 2. On 5 October 1970 he started his weekday show which from 1 October 1972 became his long-running radio show ''Sunday Soapbox'', which in later years came from the BBC's [[Birmingham]] studios (previously from [[Manchester]]). He opened the programme each week with the introduction "With a box full of records and a bag full of post, it's radio Soapbox and Charlie your host!" The programme was transmitted on Sunday afternoons until Chester suffered a stroke in November 1995, after which he could not walk or talk. Its opening and signature tune was called ''Music To Drive By'' by Alan Moorhouse.

==Honours==
He was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (UK TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1961 when he was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]] at the BBC Television Theatre.

Chester presented [[brass band]] music in the series ''Listen to the Band'' and also featured in the [[BBC Radio 2]] show ''The Gag Cracker's Ball''. In his leisure time he enjoyed painting.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} He was awarded the MBE in 1990.<ref name=gifford/>

==Death==
He suffered a [[stroke]] and died in [[Twickenham]] on 26 June 1997 aged 83.

== TV credits ==

* ''The Charlie Chester Show'' (1949) (performer and writer)
* ''Christmas Box'' (1955) (performer)
* ''[[Educated Evans (TV series)|Educated Evans]]'' (1957) (performer)
* ''These Are The Shows'' (1957) (performer)
* ''[[The Two Charleys]]'' (1959) (performer)
* ''Charlie Chester On Laughter Service'' (1961) (performer and writer)
* ''[[The Charlie Chester Music Hall]]'' (1961) (performer)
* ''[[Jokers Wild (TV series)|Jokers Wild]]'' (1969) (performer)
* ''Never Say Die'' (1987) (performer)

== Film credits ==
* ''[[Holiday Camp (film)|Holiday Camp]]'' (1947) as himself
* ''Can I Come Too?'' (1979) as Mr. Royal

==Bibliography==
* ''The World Is Full of Charlies'' (Autobiography) published NEL (1974)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.radiorewind.co.uk/radio2/charlie_chester_page.htm Radio Rewind biography]
*{{IMDb name|id=0156312|name=Charlie Chester}}
*[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-charlie-chester-1258200.html Obituary, by Denis Gifford, in The Independent]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chester, Charlie}}
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:1997 deaths]]
[[Category:BBC Radio 2 presenters]]
[[Category:English radio DJs]]
[[Category:English radio people]]
[[Category:People from Eastbourne]]
[[Category:English male comedians]]
[[Category:Place of death missing]]
[[Category:20th-century English musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century British comedians]]
[[Category:British military personnel of World War II]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:17, 15 August 2022
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	\| birthname = Cecil Victor Manser		\| birthname = Cecil Victor Manser
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1914\|04\|26\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1914\|04\|26\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[Eastbourne]], [[Sussex]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Eastbourne\|Eastbourne]], [[w:Sussex\|Sussex]], England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1997\|6\|26\|1914\|04\|26\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1997\|6\|26\|1914\|04\|26\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = [[Twickenham]], [[London]], England		\| death_place = [[w:Twickenham\|Twickenham]], [[London]], England
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|Dorita Langley\|1939\|1992\|end=her death}}<br>{{marriage\|Joan Jarvis\|1994}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|Dorita Langley\|1939\|1992\|end=her death}}<br>{{marriage\|Joan Jarvis\|1994}}
	\| children = 1		\| children = 1
Line 14:		Line 14:
	}}		}}

	'''Charlie Chester''' [[Order of the British Empire\|MBE]] (26 April 1914 – 26 June 1997) was an English [[comedian]], [[radio]] and television presenter and writer, broadcasting almost continuously from the 1940s to the 1990s. His style was similar to that of [[Max Miller (comedian)\|Max Miller]].		'''Charlie Chester''' [[w:Order of the British Empire\|MBE]] (26 April 1914 – 26 June 1997) was an English [[w:comedian\|comedian]], [[w:radio\|radio]] and television presenter and writer, broadcasting almost continuously from the 1940s to the 1990s. His style was similar to that of [[Max Miller (comedian)\|Max Miller]].

	== Life and career ==		== Life and career ==

	Chester was born '''Cecil Victor Manser''' in [[Eastbourne]], [[Sussex]]. His first job after leaving education was as a grocer's errand boy, but he won talent competitions for his musical instrument playing and singing. Working as a travelling salesman for an embroidery company, Chester realised he had the gift of the gab and decided to become a professional comedian. Known as "Cheerful"<ref>per Russell Davies, (Show) BBC Radio 2, Sunday 15 April 2007: common form of nickname "Cheeky" is incorrect</ref> Charlie Chester, he was well known to British audiences in the 1940s from his [[BBC]] radio show ''Stand Easy''. This show was adapted for [[television]] as ''The Charlie Chester Show'' in 1949 and became a standup and sketch show for the next 11 years. Frequent cast members included Edwina Carroll, [[Henry Lytton, Jr.]], Eric 'Jeeves' Grier, [[Len Lowe]], [[Deryck Guyler]], Len Marten, [[Arthur Haynes]] and Frederick Ferrari. A later recurring mini-serial in the show was "Whippit Kwik the Cat Burglar", whose whistled signature tune made Chester a national favourite. Tenor St Clair was replaced by Ferrari, known as "The Voice", and for whom Chester wrote the signature song "When Love Descended like an Angel". That was in fact the only fragment written, until listeners' demands forced him to write a full version so that Ferrari could record it.<ref name=gifford>{{cite news\|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-charlie-chester-1258200.html\|title=Obituary: Charlie Chester \|author=Denis Gifford \|author-link=Denis Gifford \|date=27 June 1997\|newspaper=[[The Independent]]\|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>		Chester was born '''Cecil Victor Manser''' in [[w:Eastbourne\|Eastbourne]], [[w:Sussex\|Sussex]]. His first job after leaving education was as a grocer's errand boy, but he won talent competitions for his musical instrument playing and singing. Working as a travelling salesman for an embroidery company, Chester realised he had the gift of the gab and decided to become a professional comedian. Known as "Cheerful"<ref>per Russell Davies, (Show) BBC Radio 2, Sunday 15 April 2007: common form of nickname "Cheeky" is incorrect</ref> Charlie Chester, he was well known to British audiences in the 1940s from his [[w:BBC\|BBC]] radio show ''Stand Easy''. This show was adapted for [[w:television\|television]] as ''The Charlie Chester Show'' in 1949 and became a standup and sketch show for the next 11 years. Frequent cast members included Edwina Carroll, [[w:Henry Lytton, Jr.\|Henry Lytton]], Eric 'Jeeves' Grier, [[w:Len Lowe\|Len Lowe]], [[Deryck Guyler]], Len Marten, [[Arthur Haynes]] and Frederick Ferrari. A later recurring mini-serial in the show was "Whippit Kwik the Cat Burglar", whose whistled signature tune made Chester a national favourite. Tenor St Clair was replaced by Ferrari, known as "The Voice", and for whom Chester wrote the signature song "When Love Descended like an Angel". That was in fact the only fragment written, until listeners' demands forced him to write a full version so that Ferrari could record it.<ref name=gifford>{{cite news\|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-charlie-chester-1258200.html\|title=Obituary: Charlie Chester \|author=Denis Gifford \|author-link=w:Denis Gifford \|date=27 June 1997\|newspaper=[[w:The Independent]]\|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>

	Chester's radio shows included ''A Proper Charlie'' and ''That Man Chester''. Another series – which started out as a section of ''The Charlie Chester Show'' in 1950 – was the quiz ''Pot Luck'', the first British TV programme to offer prizes for correctly answering questions.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Pot_Luck\|title=Pot Luck - UKGameshows\|website=www.ukgameshows.com\|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>		Chester's radio shows included ''A Proper Charlie'' and ''That Man Chester''. Another series – which started out as a section of ''The Charlie Chester Show'' in 1950 – was the quiz ''Pot Luck'', the first British TV programme to offer prizes for correctly answering questions.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Pot_Luck\|title=Pot Luck - UKGameshows\|website=www.ukgameshows.com\|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>

	In 1961, Chester starred in a BBC series called ''Charlie Chester On Laughter Service'', a music and comedy show which visited military bases throughout Britain. Most were co-written by Bernard Botting and Charlie Hart. Late in his career, Chester appeared in the [[Channel 4]] television sitcom ''Never Say Die''.		In 1961, Chester starred in a BBC series called ''Charlie Chester On Laughter Service'', a music and comedy show which visited military bases throughout Britain. Most were co-written by Bernard Botting and Charlie Hart. Late in his career, Chester appeared in the [[w:Channel 4\|Channel 4]] television sitcom ''Never Say Die''.

	In the 1960s he began presenting a record show on the [[BBC Radio 2\|BBC Light Programme]], later BBC Radio 2. On 5 October 1970 he started his weekday show which from 1 October 1972 became his long-running radio show ''Sunday Soapbox'', which in later years came from the BBC's [[Birmingham]] studios (previously from [[Manchester]]). He opened the programme each week with the introduction "With a box full of records and a bag full of post, it's radio Soapbox and Charlie your host!" The programme was transmitted on Sunday afternoons until Chester suffered a stroke in November 1995, after which he could not walk or talk. Its opening and signature tune was called ''Music To Drive By'' by Alan Moorhouse.		In the 1960s he began presenting a record show on the [[w:BBC Radio 2\|BBC Light Programme]], later BBC Radio 2. On 5 October 1970 he started his weekday show which from 1 October 1972 became his long-running radio show ''Sunday Soapbox'', which in later years came from the BBC's [[w:Birmingham\|Birmingham]] studios (previously from [[w:Manchester\|Manchester]]). He opened the programme each week with the introduction "With a box full of records and a bag full of post, it's radio Soapbox and Charlie your host!" The programme was transmitted on Sunday afternoons until Chester suffered a stroke in November 1995, after which he could not walk or talk. Its opening and signature tune was called ''Music To Drive By'' by Alan Moorhouse.

	==Honours==		==Honours==
	He was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (UK TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1961 when he was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]] at the BBC Television Theatre.		He was the subject of ''[[w:This Is Your Life (UK TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1961 when he was surprised by [[w:Eamonn Andrews\|Eamonn Andrews]] at the BBC Television Theatre.

	Chester presented [[brass band]] music in the series ''Listen to the Band'' and also featured in the [[BBC Radio 2]] show ''The Gag Cracker's Ball''. In his leisure time he enjoyed painting.{{citation needed\|date=February 2013}} He was awarded the MBE in 1990.<ref name=gifford/>		Chester presented [[w:brass band\|brass band]] music in the series ''Listen to the Band'' and also featured in the [[w:BBC Radio 2\|BBC Radio 2]] show ''The Gag Cracker's Ball''. In his leisure time he enjoyed painting.{{citation needed\|date=February 2013}} He was awarded the MBE in 1990.<ref name=gifford/>

	==Death==		==Death==
	He suffered a [[stroke]] and died in [[Twickenham]] on 26 June 1997 aged 83.		He suffered a [[w:stroke\|stroke]] and died in [[w:Twickenham\|Twickenham]] on 26 June 1997 aged 83.

	== TV credits ==		== TV credits ==
Line 38:		Line 38:
	* ''The Charlie Chester Show'' (1949) (performer and writer)		* ''The Charlie Chester Show'' (1949) (performer and writer)
	* ''Christmas Box'' (1955) (performer)		* ''Christmas Box'' (1955) (performer)
	* ''[[Educated Evans (TV series)\|Educated Evans]]'' (1957) (performer)		* ''[[w:Educated Evans (TV series)\|Educated Evans]]'' (1957) (performer)
	* ''These Are The Shows'' (1957) (performer)		* ''These Are The Shows'' (1957) (performer)
	* ''[[The Two Charleys]]'' (1959) (performer)		* ''[[w:The Two Charleys\|The Two Charleys]]'' (1959) (performer)
	* ''Charlie Chester On Laughter Service'' (1961) (performer and writer)		* ''Charlie Chester On Laughter Service'' (1961) (performer and writer)
	* ''[[The Charlie Chester Music Hall]]'' (1961) (performer)		* ''[[w:The Charlie Chester Music Hall\|The Charlie Chester Music Hall]]'' (1961) (performer)
	* ''[[Jokers Wild (TV series)\|Jokers Wild]]'' (1969) (performer)		* ''[[w:Jokers Wild (TV series)\|Jokers Wild]]'' (1969) (performer)
	* ''Never Say Die'' (1987) (performer)		* ''Never Say Die'' (1987) (performer)

	== Film credits ==		== Film credits ==
	* ''[[Holiday Camp (film)\|Holiday Camp]]'' (1947) as himself		* ''[[w:Holiday Camp (film)\|Holiday Camp]]'' (1947) as himself
	* ''Can I Come Too?'' (1979) as Mr. Royal		* ''Can I Come Too?'' (1979) as Mr. Royal