Max Bygraves - Revision history

Kurt at 00:37, 4 October 2024

2024-10-04T00:37:52Z

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	==Personal life==		==Personal life==
	Bygraves married [[w:Women's Auxiliary Air Force\|WAAF]] sergeant Gladys "Blossom" Murray in 1942. The couple had three children: Christine, Anthony and Maxine. Bygraves also had three other children from extramarital affairs: John Rice, Beverly Mayhew-Sass and Stephen Rose.		Bygraves married [[Women's Auxiliary Air Force\|WAAF]] sergeant Gladys "Blossom" Murray in 1942. The couple had three children: Christine, Anthony and Maxine. Bygraves also had three other children from extramarital affairs: John Rice, Beverly Mayhew-Sass and Stephen Rose.

	On 9 August 1974, Bygraves became stuck on a cliff near his house in [[w:Westbourne, Dorset\|Westbourne]], Bournemouth, when a kite flown by his grandson Michael became trapped beneath the edge of the cliff. He suffered friction burns on his hands and was in shock when police and firefighters helped him to safety.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Max Bygraves rescued from cliffs\|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vpRAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2540,2404824&dq=max+bygraves&hl=en\|newspaper=The Glasgow Herald\|date=10 August 1974\|page=7}}</ref> In 1999, Bygraves underwent treatment for an ear disorder, having cancelled a number of performances on his doctor's advice.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Entertainment: Bygraves suffers ear problems\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/349671.stm\|publisher=BBC News (BBC)\|date=21 May 1999\|access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>		On 9 August 1974, Bygraves became stuck on a cliff near his house in [[Westbourne, Dorset\|Westbourne]], Bournemouth, when a kite flown by his grandson Michael became trapped beneath the edge of the cliff. He suffered friction burns on his hands and was in shock when police and firefighters helped him to safety.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Max Bygraves rescued from cliffs\|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vpRAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2540,2404824&dq=max+bygraves&hl=en\|newspaper=The Glasgow Herald\|date=10 August 1974\|page=7}}</ref> In 1999, Bygraves underwent treatment for an ear disorder, having cancelled a number of performances on his doctor's advice.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Entertainment: Bygraves suffers ear problems\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/349671.stm\|publisher=BBC News (BBC)\|date=21 May 1999\|access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>

	He and Blossom Bygraves moved from Bournemouth to [[~~w:Queensland\|~~Queensland]], Australia, in 2008. She died there in 2011 at the age of 88.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2012-09-01 \|title=Max Bygraves dies at Australian home aged 89 \|url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/sep/01/max-bygraves-dies-aged-89 \|access-date=2022-07-19 \|website=the Guardian \|language=en}}</ref>		He and Blossom Bygraves moved from Bournemouth to [[Queensland]], Australia, in 2008. She died there in 2011 at the age of 88.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2012-09-01 \|title=Max Bygraves dies at Australian home aged 89 \|url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/sep/01/max-bygraves-dies-aged-89 \|access-date=2022-07-19 \|website=the Guardian \|language=en}}</ref>

	==Death==		==Death==

Kurt at 00:37, 4 October 2024

2024-10-04T00:37:20Z

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	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1922\|10\|16\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1922\|10\|16\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[Rotherhithe]], London, England		\| birth_place = [[Rotherhithe]], London, England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|2012\|8\|31\|1922\|10\|16\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|2012\|08\|31\|1922\|10\|16\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = [[Hope Island, Queensland]], Australia		\| death_place = [[Hope Island, Queensland]], Australia
	\| yearsactive = 1943–2006		\| yearsactive = 1943–2006
	\| occupation = {{cslist\|Comedian\|singer\|actor\|variety performer}}		\| occupation = {{cslist\|Comedian\|singer\|actor\|variety performer}}
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|Gladys "Blossom" Murray\|1942\|2011\|end=~~her death~~}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|Gladys "Blossom" Murray\|1942\|2011\|end=d}}
	\| children = 6 (three with Blossom, three from extramarital affairs)		\| children = 6 (three with Blossom, three from extramarital affairs)
	}}		}}

Kurt at 17:52, 11 March 2023

2023-03-11T17:52:45Z

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	~~{{short description\|English entertainer}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2013}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|OBE}}		\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|OBE}}

Kurt: /* Personal life */

2022-12-29T19:52:51Z

Personal life

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:52, 29 December 2022
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	==Personal life==		==Personal life==
	Bygraves married [[Women's Auxiliary Air Force\|WAAF]] sergeant Gladys "Blossom" Murray in 1942. The couple had three children: Christine, Anthony and Maxine. Bygraves also had three other children from extramarital affairs: John Rice, Beverly Mayhew-Sass and Stephen Rose.~~{{citation needed\|date=April 2020}}~~		Bygraves married [[w:Women's Auxiliary Air Force\|WAAF]] sergeant Gladys "Blossom" Murray in 1942. The couple had three children: Christine, Anthony and Maxine. Bygraves also had three other children from extramarital affairs: John Rice, Beverly Mayhew-Sass and Stephen Rose.

	On 9 August 1974, Bygraves became stuck on a cliff near his house in [[Westbourne, Dorset\|Westbourne]], Bournemouth, when a kite flown by his grandson Michael became trapped beneath the edge of the cliff. He suffered friction burns on his hands and was in shock when police and firefighters helped him to safety.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Max Bygraves rescued from cliffs\|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vpRAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2540,2404824&dq=max+bygraves&hl=en\|newspaper=The Glasgow Herald\|date=10 August 1974\|page=7}}</ref> In 1999, Bygraves underwent treatment for an ear disorder, having cancelled a number of performances on his doctor's advice.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Entertainment: Bygraves suffers ear problems\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/349671.stm\|publisher=BBC News (BBC)\|date=21 May 1999\|access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>		On 9 August 1974, Bygraves became stuck on a cliff near his house in [[w:Westbourne, Dorset\|Westbourne]], Bournemouth, when a kite flown by his grandson Michael became trapped beneath the edge of the cliff. He suffered friction burns on his hands and was in shock when police and firefighters helped him to safety.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Max Bygraves rescued from cliffs\|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vpRAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2540,2404824&dq=max+bygraves&hl=en\|newspaper=The Glasgow Herald\|date=10 August 1974\|page=7}}</ref> In 1999, Bygraves underwent treatment for an ear disorder, having cancelled a number of performances on his doctor's advice.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Entertainment: Bygraves suffers ear problems\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/349671.stm\|publisher=BBC News (BBC)\|date=21 May 1999\|access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>

	He and Blossom Bygraves moved from Bournemouth to [[Queensland]], Australia, in 2008. She died there in 2011 at the age of 88.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2012-09-01 \|title=Max Bygraves dies at Australian home aged 89 \|url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/sep/01/max-bygraves-dies-aged-89 \|access-date=2022-07-19 \|website=the Guardian \|language=en}}</ref>		He and Blossom Bygraves moved from Bournemouth to [[w:Queensland\|Queensland]], Australia, in 2008. She died there in 2011 at the age of 88.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2012-09-01 \|title=Max Bygraves dies at Australian home aged 89 \|url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/sep/01/max-bygraves-dies-aged-89 \|access-date=2022-07-19 \|website=the Guardian \|language=en}}</ref>

	==Death==		==Death==

Kurt: /* Early life */

2022-12-29T19:51:42Z

Early life

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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Bygraves was born to Henry and Lillian (née McDonnell) Bygraves (who wed in 1919) in [[Rotherhithe]] in London,<ref name="G o"/> where he grew up in a two-room council flat in Park Buildings, Paradise Street~~{{citation needed\|date=September 2020}}~~ with his five siblings, his parents and a grandparent.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12852095\|title=Max Bygraves BBC obituary\|work=BBC News\|date=September 2012\|access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> His father was a professional flyweight [[boxing\|boxer]], known as Battling Tom Smith, and a casual dockworker.<ref name="Mercer">{{cite web\|url={{AllMusic\|class=artist\|id=p201472\|pure_url=yes}}\|title=Max Bygraves bio\|last=Mercer\|first=Laurie\|publisher=[[AllMusic]]\|access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> Brought up Catholic, he attended St Joseph's School, Paradise Street, [[Rotherhithe]], and sang with his school choir at [[Westminster Cathedral]].<ref name="G o">{{Cite web\|date=2012-09-01\|title=Max Bygraves obituary\|url=http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/sep/01/max-bygraves-obituary-comedian-singer\|access-date=2022-01-30\|website=The Guardian\|language=en}}</ref>		Bygraves was born to Henry and Lillian (née McDonnell) Bygraves (who wed in 1919) in [[Rotherhithe]] in London,<ref name="G o"/> where he grew up in a two-room council flat in Park Buildings, Paradise Street with his five siblings, his parents and a grandparent.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12852095\|title=Max Bygraves BBC obituary\|work=BBC News\|date=September 2012\|access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> His father was a professional flyweight [[boxing\|boxer]], known as Battling Tom Smith, and a casual dockworker.<ref name="Mercer">{{cite web\|url={{AllMusic\|class=artist\|id=p201472\|pure_url=yes}}\|title=Max Bygraves bio\|last=Mercer\|first=Laurie\|publisher=[[AllMusic]]\|access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> Brought up Catholic, he attended St Joseph's School, Paradise Street, [[Rotherhithe]], and sang with his school choir at [[Westminster Cathedral]].<ref name="G o">{{Cite web\|date=2012-09-01\|title=Max Bygraves obituary\|url=http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/sep/01/max-bygraves-obituary-comedian-singer\|access-date=2022-01-30\|website=The Guardian\|language=en}}</ref>

	He left school at 14, working at the Savoy Hotel in London as a pageboy, but was sacked for being too tall. He later put some of his success as a variety performer down to his lanky physique. He was {{Convert\|6\|ft\|3\|in}} tall, but weighed only {{Convert\|13\|st\|kg}} in adult life. He then became a messenger for W S Crawfords, an advertising agency at 233 High Holborn before serving as a fitter in the [[Royal Air Force]] in the [[Second World War]] and working as a carpenter.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9514295/Max-Bygraves.html\|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]\|title=Obituary. Retrieved 1 September 2012}}</ref> He changed his name to Max Bygraves in honour of comedian [[Max Miller (comedian)\|Max Miller]].~~{{citation needed\|date=April 2020}}~~		He left school at 14, working at the Savoy Hotel in London as a pageboy, but was sacked for being too tall. He later put some of his success as a variety performer down to his lanky physique. He was {{Convert\|6\|ft\|3\|in}} tall, but weighed only {{Convert\|13\|st\|kg}} in adult life. He then became a messenger for W S Crawfords, an advertising agency at 233 High Holborn before serving as a fitter in the [[Royal Air Force]] in the [[Second World War]] and working as a carpenter.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9514295/Max-Bygraves.html\|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]\|title=Obituary. Retrieved 1 September 2012}}</ref> He changed his name to Max Bygraves in honour of comedian [[Max Miller (comedian)\|Max Miller]].

	==Career==		==Career==

Kurt: /* External links */

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External links

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	==External links==		==External links==
	~~{{Wikiquote}}~~
	*{{IMDb name\|0125880}}		*{{IMDb name\|0125880}}
	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180808111323/http://maxbygraves.com/ Max Bygraves' official website]{{dead link\|date=January 2022}}
	*{{NPG name}}		*{{NPG name}}

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Bygraves, Max}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Bygraves, Max}}
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	[[Category:2012 deaths]]		[[Category:2012 deaths]]
	[[Category:Male actors from London]]		[[Category:Male actors from London]]
	~~[[Category:Deaths from Alzheimer's disease]]~~
	~~[[Category:Neurological disease deaths in Queensland]]~~
	[[Category:English comedy musicians]]		[[Category:English comedy musicians]]
	[[Category:English expatriates in Australia]]		[[Category:English expatriates in Australia]]

Kurt: 1 revision imported: Import from Wikipedia

2022-08-12T15:01:03Z

1 revision imported: Import from Wikipedia

← Older revision	Revision as of 10:01, 12 August 2022
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en>JacMac327: /* Personal life */ citation added Blossom Bygraves death

2022-07-19T15:55:12Z

Personal life: citation added Blossom Bygraves death

New page

{{short description|English entertainer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}
| image = MaxBygraves.png
| caption = Bygraves in 1976
| birth_name = Walter William Bygraves
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1922|10|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Rotherhithe]], London, England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2012|8|31|1922|10|16|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Hope Island, Queensland]], Australia
| yearsactive = 1943–2006
| occupation = {{cslist|Comedian|singer|actor|variety performer}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Gladys "Blossom" Murray|1942|2011|end=her death}}
| children = 6 (three with Blossom, three from extramarital affairs)
}}

'''Walter William Bygraves''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE}} (16 October 1922 – 31 August 2012), best known by the stage name '''Max Bygraves''' (adopted in honour of [[Max Miller (comedian)|Max Miller]]), was an English comedian, singer, actor and variety performer. He appeared on his own television shows, sometimes performing comedy sketches between songs. He made twenty ''[[Royal Variety Performance]]'' appearances and presented numerous programmes, including ''[[Family Fortunes]]'' between 1983 and 1985. His catchphrase "I wanna tell you a story" became an integral part of his act, although it had originated with comedian [[Mike Yarwood]] impersonating Bygraves.

==Early life==
Bygraves was born to Henry and Lillian (née McDonnell) Bygraves (who wed in 1919) in [[Rotherhithe]] in London,<ref name="G o"/> where he grew up in a two-room council flat in Park Buildings, Paradise Street{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} with his five siblings, his parents and a grandparent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12852095|title=Max Bygraves BBC obituary|work=BBC News|date=September 2012|access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> His father was a professional flyweight [[boxing|boxer]], known as Battling Tom Smith, and a casual dockworker.<ref name="Mercer">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p201472|pure_url=yes}}|title=Max Bygraves bio|last=Mercer|first=Laurie|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> Brought up Catholic, he attended St Joseph's School, Paradise Street, [[Rotherhithe]], and sang with his school choir at [[Westminster Cathedral]].<ref name="G o">{{Cite web|date=2012-09-01|title=Max Bygraves obituary|url=http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/sep/01/max-bygraves-obituary-comedian-singer|access-date=2022-01-30|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

He left school at 14, working at the Savoy Hotel in London as a pageboy, but was sacked for being too tall. He later put some of his success as a variety performer down to his lanky physique. He was {{Convert|6|ft|3|in}} tall, but weighed only {{Convert|13|st|kg}} in adult life. He then became a messenger for W S Crawfords, an advertising agency at 233 High Holborn before serving as a fitter in the [[Royal Air Force]] in the [[Second World War]] and working as a carpenter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9514295/Max-Bygraves.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|title=Obituary. Retrieved 1 September 2012}}</ref> He changed his name to Max Bygraves in honour of comedian [[Max Miller (comedian)|Max Miller]].{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

==Career==
After the end of the war, Bygraves worked on building sites, while entertaining in pubs in the evenings. An early variety stage appearance in January 1945 was at the Grand, Clapham with a review stating "A new impressionist. Max Bygraves, is also a lad to be watched. He has a little to learn in the art of showmanship, but not much, but there is no denying the brilliance of his impersonations."<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Stage |journal=The Stage |date=18 January 1945 |page=3}}</ref> In August 1946, he toured in a [[variety show]] with [[Frankie Howerd]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=Nottingham Evening Post |journal=Nottingham Evening Post |date=6 August 1946 |page=3}}</ref> who in turn introduced him to [[Eric Sykes]], and they began writing routines together. With Sykes, he also developed the radio show ''[[Educating Archie]]'', starring [[ventriloquist]] [[Peter Brough]] and his dummy [[Archie Andrews (puppet)|Archie Andrews]], and also featuring Bygraves in the role of Archie's teacher. The idea for the programme came from record producer [[Wally Ridley]], who also produced Bygraves' records during the 1950s.<ref name=leigh/>

In July 1950, he made his first appearance at the [[London Palladium]] supporting [[Abbott and Costello]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Stage |journal=The Stage |date=July 20, 1950 |page=2}}</ref> and in 1951 he supported [[Judy Garland]] in her appearance there.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Stage |journal=The Stage |date=April 5, 1951 |page=2}}</ref> Arising from this, she invited him to perform at the [[Palace Theatre (New York City)|Palace]] in [[New York City|New York]] in October 1951.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Daily News (New York) |journal=Daily News (New York) |date=September 18, 1951 |page=57}}</ref>

Bygraves became a successful recording artist with seven top ten hits on the [[UK Singles Chart]] between 1952 and 1960.<ref name="betts"/> Many were [[novelty songs]]. One of his most popular recordngs, "You Need Hands" in 1958, was written by Bygraves under the pseudonym Roy Irwin (or Erwin), a name picked at random from a telephone directory. He also wrote its follow-up, "Gotta Have Rain".<ref name=leigh>{{Cite web|date=2012-09-02|title=Max Bygraves: Entertainer who won the nation's hearts with his songs|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/max-bygraves-entertainer-who-won-the-nation-s-hearts-with-his-songs-tv-shows-and-patter-8101437.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/max-bygraves-entertainer-who-won-the-nation-s-hearts-with-his-songs-tv-shows-and-patter-8101437.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-30|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> His producer Wally Ridley said of Bygraves:<blockquote>"Max's great talent was that he could punch lines, which was absolutely great for us. We'd give him songs with very short lines and he'd punch them out marvellously. Give him a long line and he would stumble over it, although I just flipped when I was given 'Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea'. I thought, 'Fabulous, fabulous, this is a major hit for us.' I took it to Max and his wife, Blossom, said, 'That's no good, what does it mean?'... The song was absolutely perfect for Max and its whole secret was 'What the hell does it mean?"<ref name=leigh/></blockquote>

He also occasionally worked as an actor, appearing in British films including ''[[Bless 'Em All (film)|Bless 'Em All]]'' (1948) and ''[[Tom Brown's Schooldays (1951 film)|Tom Brown's Schooldays]]'' (1951). Bygraves appeared as himself in the 1954 British film musical ''Harmony Lane'' directed by Lewis Gilbert, and 'What Now, Davros!', with Helen Ball. He portrayed the title character in the 1956 film ''[[Charley Moon]]'' and starred in the 1961 drama ''[[Spare the Rod]]''.<ref name=leigh/> In 1959, Bygraves bought the past and future rights to the [[Lionel Bart]] musical ''[[Oliver!]]'' for £350 at a time when Bart was experiencing severe financial difficulties. Bygraves later sold them for £250,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/obituaries/feature.php/37286/max-bygraves |title=Max Bygraves - Obituaries |newspaper=The Stage |access-date=2013-02-15}}</ref>

In the 1950s and 1960s, Bygraves appeared as a guest on several television variety programmes, both in the UK and United States. These included [[Ed Sullivan]], [[Jack Benny]] and [[Jackie Gleason]], in America. He was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1961 when he was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]] while rehearsing his new show, ''[[Do Re Mi (musical)|Do Re Mi]]'' at London's [[Prince of Wales Theatre]]. He appeared in several TV series including the sitcom ''Roamin' Holiday'' and the variety shows ''Max'' and ''Max Bygraves at the Royalty''.<ref name=leigh/> From 1983 to 1985, Bygraves hosted ''[[Family Fortunes]]'', taking over from his friend and fellow comedian [[Bob Monkhouse]]. He would later be succeeded as host in 1987 by [[Les Dennis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/979602/max-bygraves-veteran-entertainer-dies-aged-89 |title=Max Bygraves, Veteran Entertainer, Dies Aged 89 |publisher=[[Sky News]] |date=2012-09-01}}</ref>

From 1972, Bygraves recorded a series of albums, ''Sing Along With Max'' (later ''Singalongamax''), in which he sang medleys of familiar songs aimed at an older audience. The albums, for [[Pye Records]], sold millions of copies and led to spinoff shows and more recordings.<ref name=leigh/> In 1977, UK publishing house [[W. H. Allen & Co.|W. H. Allen]] published Bygraves' comic novel ''The Milkman's on His Way''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bygraves |first=Max |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3607418 |title=The milkman's on his way |date=1977 |publisher=Allen |isbn=0-491-02290-5 |location=London |oclc=3607418}}</ref>

Bygraves' catchphrase was said to be: "I wanna tell you a story". It was actually [[Mike Yarwood]] who made up that phrase, from Bygraves' "I want to tell you a joke", though Bygraves adopted Yarwood's version as the title of his own memoirs. Another well-known phrase of his was "That's a good idea, son!".<ref name=leigh/>

==Honours==
In 1982, Bygraves was made an Officer of the [[Order of the British Empire]] (OBE).<ref name="Bournemouth best wishes">{{Cite web|title=Fans send Max Bygraves best wishes from Bournemouth|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9630925.fans-send-max-bygraves-best-wishes-from-bournemouth/|access-date=2022-01-30|website=Bournemouth Echo|language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Bygraves married [[Women's Auxiliary Air Force|WAAF]] sergeant Gladys "Blossom" Murray in 1942. The couple had three children: Christine, Anthony and Maxine. Bygraves also had three other children from extramarital affairs: John Rice, Beverly Mayhew-Sass and Stephen Rose.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

On 9 August 1974, Bygraves became stuck on a cliff near his house in [[Westbourne, Dorset|Westbourne]], Bournemouth, when a kite flown by his grandson Michael became trapped beneath the edge of the cliff. He suffered friction burns on his hands and was in shock when police and firefighters helped him to safety.<ref>{{cite news|title=Max Bygraves rescued from cliffs|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vpRAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2540,2404824&dq=max+bygraves&hl=en|newspaper=The Glasgow Herald|date=10 August 1974|page=7}}</ref> In 1999, Bygraves underwent treatment for an ear disorder, having cancelled a number of performances on his doctor's advice.<ref>{{cite news|title=Entertainment: Bygraves suffers ear problems|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/349671.stm|publisher=BBC News (BBC)|date=21 May 1999|access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>

He and Blossom Bygraves moved from Bournemouth to [[Queensland]], Australia, in 2008. She died there in 2011 at the age of 88.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-09-01 |title=Max Bygraves dies at Australian home aged 89 |url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/sep/01/max-bygraves-dies-aged-89 |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

==Death==
Bygraves was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2010, and he died from complications of this illness at his daughter's home in Australia on the evening of 31 August 2012.<ref name="D l2">{{Cite news|date=2012-09-01|title=Veteran entertainer Max Bygraves dies|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19450696|access-date=2022-01-30}}</ref>

==Television==
*''[[Whack-O!]]'' (1960)
*''The Royal Variety Performance'' (1961; 1963 etc.)
*''The Jack Benny Program'' (1963, season 13, episode 13)
*''It's Sad About Eddie'' (1964)
*''Max'' (1969–74)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/26434|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125130340/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/26434|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 January 2009|title=BFI &No. 124; Film & TV Database &No. 124; MAX|publisher=British Film Institute|access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/32359|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224050635/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/32359|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 December 2012|title=BFI &No. 124; Film & TV Database &No. 124; MAX|publisher=British Film Institute|access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>
*''Max Bygraves Says "I Wanna Tell You a Story"'' (1976–77)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/34868|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224030937/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/34868|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 December 2012|title=BFI &No. 124; Film & TV Database &No. 124; Max Bygraves Says "I Wanna Tell You a Story"|publisher=British Film Institute|access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>
*''Singalongamax'' (1978–80)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/31084|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223211951/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/31084|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 December 2012|title=BFI &No. 124; Film & TV Database &No. 124; The DESERT SONG|publisher=British Film Institute|access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>
*''Max Bygraves - Side by Side'' (1982)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/10614|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224045350/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/10614|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 December 2012|title=BFI &No. 124; Film & TV Database &No. 124; Max Bygraves - Side By Side|publisher=British Film Institute|access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>
*''[[Family Fortunes]]'' (1983–85)
*''The Mind of David Berglas'' (1986)
*''Call Up the Stars'' (1995)
*''Against the Odds RAF Documentary'' (2001)

==Partial filmography==
* ''[[Bless 'Em All (film)|Bless 'Em All]]'' (1948)
* ''The Nitwits on Parade'' (1949)
* ''Skimpy in the Navy'' (1949)
* ''[[Tom Brown's Schooldays (1951 film)|Tom Brown's Schooldays]]'' (1951)
* ''[[Charley Moon]]'' (1956)
* ''[[A Cry from the Streets]]'' (1958)
* ''[[Bobbikins]]'' (1959)
* ''[[Spare the Rod]]'' (1961)
* ''[[The Alf Garnett Saga]]'' (1972)
* ''[[The Jigsaw Man (film)|The Jigsaw Man]]'' (1983) Uncredited cameo appearance (policeman)

==Discography==

===Chart singles===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Year
! rowspan="2"|Single
! colspan="3"|Chart Positions
|- style="font-size:small;"
! style="width:60px;"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<ref name="betts">{{cite book|first=Graham|last=Betts|year=2004|title=Complete UK Hit Singles 1952-2004|edition=1st|publisher=Collins|location=London|isbn= 0-00-717931-6|page=120}}</ref>
|-
|| 1952
| style="text-align:left;"| "[[Cowpuncher's Cantata]]"
| 6
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1954
| style="text-align:left;"| "[[Heart of My Heart]]"
| 7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| "[[Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea]]"
| 7
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1955
| style="text-align:left;"| "[[Mr Sandman]]"
| 16
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| "Meet Me on the Corner"
| 2
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1956
| style="text-align:left;"| "[[Ballad of Davy Crockett]]"
| 20
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| "Out of Town"
| 18
|-
|| 1957
| style="text-align:left;"| "Heart"
| 16
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1958
| style="text-align:left;"| "You Need Hands" / "[[Tulips from Amsterdam]]"
| 3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| "Little Train" / "Gotta Have Rain"
| 28
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1959
| style="text-align:left;"| "My Ukulele"
| 19
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| "[[Jingle Bell Rock]]"
| 7
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1960
| style="text-align:left;"| "[[Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be]]"
| 5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| "[[Consider Yourself]]"
| 50
|-
|| 1961
| style="text-align:left;"| "Bells of Avignon"
| 36
|-
|| 1969
| style="text-align:left;"| "You're My Everything"
| 34
|-
|| 1973
| style="text-align:left;"| "[[Deck of Cards]]"
| 13
|-
|| 1989
| style="text-align:left;"| "[[White Christmas (song)|White Christmas]]"
| 71
|}

===Albums===
* ''Show Stoppers'' (1962)
* ''Sing Along with Max'' (1972) No. 4
* ''Sing Along with Max Vol. 2'' (1972) No. 11
* ''Singalongamax Vol. 3'' (1973) No. 5
* ''Singalongamax Vol. 4'' (1973) No. 7
* ''Singalongapartysong'' (1973) No. 15
* ''You Make Me Feel Like Singing a Song'' (1974) No. 39
* ''Singalongaxmas'' (1974) No. 21
* ''100 Golden Greats'' (1976) No. 3
* ''Lingalongamax'' (1978) No. 39
* ''Discolongamax'' (1979) No. 47
* ''The Song and Dance Men'' (1978) No. 67
* ''Singalongawaryears'' (1989) No. 5
* ''Singalongawaryears Volume 2'' (1989) No. 33
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/max%20bygraves|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630110025/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/max%20bygraves|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 June 2013|title=The Official Charts Company - Max Bygraves|date=5 May 2013|publisher=The Official Charts Company}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*{{IMDb name|0125880}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180808111323/http://maxbygraves.com/ Max Bygraves' official website]{{dead link|date=January 2022}}
*{{NPG name}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bygraves, Max}}
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:2012 deaths]]
[[Category:Male actors from London]]
[[Category:Deaths from Alzheimer's disease]]
[[Category:Neurological disease deaths in Queensland]]
[[Category:English comedy musicians]]
[[Category:English expatriates in Australia]]
[[Category:English game show hosts]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:Military personnel from London]]
[[Category:English male singers]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:Pye Records artists]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:People from Dagenham]]
[[Category:People from Bournemouth]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Singers from London]]
[[Category:20th-century English comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century English comedians]]
[[Category:British novelty song performers]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force airmen]]
[[Category:Decca Records artists]]
[[Category:Philips Records artists]]