Larry Grayson

Born William White in 1923 to unmarried parents, Grayson was adopted into a coal mining family in Nuneaton. By the age of 14, he was working under the name of Billy Breen as a supporting drag act on the comedy club circuit, and over the next thirty years he toured the UK not only in male revues and drag shows, but also in variety shows. After touring and presenting further variety shows in the 70s, including his own TV series 'Shut That Door', his catchphrase, he took over presenting 'The Generation Game' from Bruce Forsyth. He retired from television in 1981, but continued to perform in the theatre, particularly in pantomime. He died in 1995, aged 71.