Nuneaton to celebrate Larry Grayson

The town which Larry Grayson put on the map is to celebrate the legendary comedian and presenter with events, and an official unveiling of a portrait, to mark what would have been his 100th birthday later this month.

Nuneaton is already the home of Grayson Place, a vibrant cultural and leisure destination for the local community that is currently under construction. The development includes a 145-room hotel, a food hall, a five-screen cinema, as well as housing, workspace, education facilities and a multi-storey car park.

Currently at Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery an exhibition entitled ‘Wiv Luv Larry!’ is now open and will remain in situ until September 3rd, 2023. This exhibition features the letters he wrote to superfan Pauline as well as numerous images and ephemera collected by Margaret Kane. ‘Learn about his life in Larry’s own words.’ The exhibition will also feature his big red book from “This is Your Life” as well as many rarely seen private photographs on loan from his nephew Mike Malyon. There is also Dress Up Larry, bow tie interactive and colouring sheets which celebrate Larry’s always dapper appearances.

Also Nuneaton Heritage Centre will be hosting a collection of Larry memorabilia and photography from tomorrow, August 16th, through to September 30th in a display called ‘Larry Grayson at 100‘.

Isla St Clair and Larry Grayson on The Generation Game / BBC

The highlight however is the event that will take place on the day of what would have been his 100th birthday on Thursday, 31st August at Nuneaton Town Hall. A portrait by artist Dave Miles has been commissioned of Larry Grayson to hang in the hall. It will be unveiled on Nuneaton Town Hall steps in front of his great-nephew Mike Malyon and Isla St Clair, co-host of the Generation Game.

Larry found fame after agent Michael Grade saw him performing in a theatre show and it wasn’t long before Michael had secured Grayson a weekly slot on big primetime entertainment show Saturday Variety which aired live on ITV from ATV Elstree weekly. He performed alongside names such as Bob Monkhouse and Lionel Blair. Viewers instantly took to Larry and his down-to-earth wit and in the same year, 1972, ATV offered him his own series, Shut That Door! He lured all his favourite stars to appear with him on it from Diana Dors to Noele Gordon. The latter was the star of Crossroads, Larry’s favourite TV show and it wasn’t long before he made a number of guest spots in it as himself.

Noele Gordon and Larry Grayson at The Variety Club of Great Britain’s ‘Tribute to Crossroads’ / ATV

More comedy came with London Weekend Television and a new sketch series simply entitled ‘Larry Grayson‘ for ITV. He was also popular on the TV scene at this time with spots on shows such as Sunday Night at the London Palladium (ITV/ATV), Parkinson (BBC), Celebrity Squares (ITV/ATV) and The Good Old Days (BBC). In 1974 he had a sell-out variety show, Grayson’s Scandals, at The London Palladium which later toured the UK in 1975.

It however was 1978 when Larry moved to the BBC and became the host of The Generation Game, taking it to record viewing figures. In 1981 Larry semi-retired from the business making occasional chat show appearances, becoming a team captain on A Question of Entertainment and one final game show, Sweethearts, in 1987 for ITV from Anglia TV. Larry died in 1995 aged 75. His last on-screen appearance had been at the 1994 Royal Variety Performance.

Earlier this year he was portrayed by Mark Gatiss in ITV drama Nolly about his dear friend Noele Gordon who was played by Helena Bonham Carter.

Cllr Kris Wilson, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council:

“Larry loved Nuneaton and it is fitting that we top off the centenary commemorations with this portrait that will take pride of place in the Town Hall. Being able to honour this larger-than-life champion of our town is a great way to celebrate his 100th birthday and keep his spirit alive.”

Mark Gatiss as Larry Grayson in ITV drama ‘Nolly’ / Quay St Productions