I don't think there has ever been a company that had so many stars appearing in so many different venues on the same day and all arranged by the same agent. Each of us had our own card to hand out to any member of the public daft enough to want one. On one side would be our photograph with biographical details on the back. Somehow or other, no matter how big the star, Carl's name managed to appear more times than ours. These were 'Gresh' cards, everything else was done 'Gresh-style'. Every year he would send me a card wishing me a 'Merry Greshmas'.
I first met Carl Gresham in the mid Sixties. I was working as a television announcer for ABC TV. The station that provided weekend programmes in the North and Midlands.
He introduced himself via a letter, which arrived at the Didsbury studios in Manchester. The letterhead included a huge photograph of him, so you knew right away with whom you were dealing. From that first letter I knew here was a man who liked to do it BIG.
In no time at all we were off on a whirlwind tour of the North of England. We must have appeared at every bingo hall, disco or supermarket that had an occasion it wanted to celebrate, coast to coast from Liverpool to Hull. Certainly we were the Kings of the Carnivals. One afternoon I opened three carnivals in three different counties before dashing to the TV studios for an evening shift.
When ABC TV chose me to be KEN DODD's "straight man" in "Doddy's Music Box" series in 1967, I soon earned the nickname "Diddy David", we broadened our horizons and went national.
We discovered we had three things in common: an enormous zest for work, having a laugh and earning money!
Once I was involved in a court case (a story to be told at another time) in Scarborough. By one of the great travesties of British Justice, I was forced to pay the costs. Not to worry. Carl fixed up a bingo appearance in York on the way home, and the losses were recouped.
In 1971 I was booked to appear in my first pantomime, in of all places, Carl's hometown, Bradford. In fact, it was Carl who advised me what song I, as Buttons, should sing to the boys and girls in my "Song Sheet" spot before the finale at the wonderful Alhambra Theatre. Should it be the classic and much loved "There's a worm at the bottom of the garden and its name is Wiggly Woo"? Not at all, Carl recommended I do the song from the British Rail TV commercial "Travel Inter City like the boys do". Such was my faith in the man I did it twice daily from Christmas until nearly Easter. I still have the publicity shots of me posing in my stationmaster's cap, waving a green flag. Was Carl getting free rail travel between Bradford and London? I certainly wasn't.
To this day I still wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night wondering how I became the first Buttons to sing to the kids a TV commercial.
It was a girlfriend of mine who christened Carl "Mr Cash Register Eyes". She noticed that when money was mentioned, his face would go red, he'd rub his hands together and his eyes would light up like a cash register.
After me Carl conducted whistle stop tours with BILL KENWRIGHT from "Coronation Street", FRAZER HINES from "Emmerdale Farm", and HUGHIE GREEN and I mean that most sincerely. And Carl is no mean performer in his own right. He has the radio shows and the pantos to prove it. Oh! Yes he has!
Who will ever forget his dear mother, who regarded us all as a bit of a nuisance, as we phoned Carl for more ideas of how we could expand our careers. I think she regarded show business with a healthy disdain, and wished her son had got a real job with none of these "n'er do well"s. Carl went from strength to strength winning a contract with Woolworths who booked over three hundred personal appearances throughout the country by various stars.
I can't think of any big stars Carl didn't work with. He knew them all and because he handled all the personal appearances himself he knew them at very close range. With so many stories to tell, it's high time he wrote the book. Let's face it, the man is a legend. And over forty years on from when he sent me that letter with his photo on top, I'm proud to call him my friend.
Click on an image to see a bigger version.
Gresh with Leslie Grantham
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John Duttine & the Gresh (2)
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Frazer Relaxing in the VIP Lounge at Palma Airport
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Ken Morley and cast of Dick Whittington in Stockport 2005-6 (2)
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Boozy Carl in Benidorm (2)
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The Gresh on Opportunity Knocks
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Gresh The Agent
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Gresh with Alexandra Bastedo
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The Gresh with George Layton
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Garth Cawood & The Gresh
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Gresh with Gerry Booth in Coronation Street
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The Gresh, Kathy Staff and others
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Pete Murray doing a Greshstyle
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Fans waiting for John Alderton
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The Gresh & Ernie Wise
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The Gresh with Eric Morecambe
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Shall we make a record
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The Gresh with Alan Freeman
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The Gresh with David Hamilton
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The Gresh in the company of Ronald Magill and Freddie Pyne
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The Gresh with Harry Gration
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The Gresh with Ken Kitson
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The Gresh with Steve & Helen Farrimond
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The Gresh with Brian Thomas & Carlos Candal
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The Gresh with Barry McManus
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The Gresh with Frazer Hines & Chris and Mary Burrows
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The Gresh with Sarah & Katie Farrimond
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Gresh on the Frankie Howerd TV Series
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The Gresh with Gemma Craven, Frazer Hines& Arthur Pentelow
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The Gresh with David Hamilton (2)
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The Gresh with Linda Bassettt
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Gresh promoting Live Broadcast from Woolworths
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Grumbleweed Graham Walker with Jim Brennan at BCB Radio in Bradford
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Grumbleweed Graham Walker with Vicky at BCB Radio in Bradford
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Grumbleweed Graham Walker with Hilary Foster at BCB in Bradford
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Grumbleweed Graham Walker with The Gresh at BCB, Radio Bradford
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The Gresh welcomes you to Goosey Goosey Land
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Stephen, Sarah, Katie and Helen Farrimond with Rodney Warr
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A Very Young Gresh with Cardinal Heenan in Lourdes
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Gresh the DJ at work!
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The Royal Dinner Menu
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Young Gresh with freinds at the local hop in Bradford
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The Gresh with Kiki Dee at Hope Kenwrights Birthday Bash
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The Gresh with Frankie Vaughan & Lionel Blair
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Kiki Dee entertaining at Hope Kenwrights Birthday Bash
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Bill Kenwright with his Mum Hope at her Birthday Celebrations
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The Gresh with Phillip Schofield
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Original Autographed Signatures on Photos etc
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Bill Wyman CD Pics 4 Jim
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Gresh with Pat Phoenix
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Gresh with Susan George and Frazer Hines
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Gresh 2006 New Photo 001
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Wayne Sleep and Helen
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Helen and Frederick Pyne
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Petula Clark and Helen
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The Gresh, Ian Sharrock and Helen
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Martin Shaw and Helen
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Martin Shaw, Helen and The Gresh
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Helen and Larry Grayson
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Helen, Ronald Magill and Sheila Mercier
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Palace Theatre Song and Dance
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Steve Farrimond and Derek Nimmo
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Helen and Gemma Craven
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The Gresh and Helen
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Will Wyman CD Chat with The Gresh New
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New Bill Wyman & the Gresh (2)
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Bill-Wyman-CD-Pics-4-Jim
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Con Cluskey and The Gresh
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Gresh with Ivan Trusler-(2)
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Jimmy Cricket with Gresh Neighbour Lisa
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The Gresh in Full Flow!
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Sarah Downey with Proud Gresh, Adam Richard & Katie Farrimond
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Proud Gresh with Adam Richard. Born at 6.35pm on 16th Sept. 2007
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Proud Grand-Mum Helen with Baby Adam Richard and The Gresh
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Hey Presto It's 10-00am here's Peter Wyngarde
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One..Two...Two-and-a-half..3...Peter cuts the tape!
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Adoring fan Jean Anderton meets her hero. Gresh on the right!
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Jean, Gresh, Ralph, Yoyce, Brian and Duggie
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Ivan Trusler and the Gresh
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ALLSTAR_WRESTLING
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Peter Wightman with Joyce Clarke
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(Irish) Michael, Margaret and Vicky
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Yvonne and Ken Rudkin
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The Gresh with best mate Frazer Hines
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Lesley and David Piper saving a place for The Gresh
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4th-Bachelor-or-what
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A-Glimse-at-the-Gresh's-Living-Room-Marina
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A-Gresh-Pantomime-Contract-for-30.00 pounds.. Good-eh!
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A-Very-Young-Gresh-with-Mum-&-Dad
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aa-Gresh-with-Ricky-Tomlinson-(2)
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Alexandra-Bastedo-(1)
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Alexandra-Bastedo-(2)
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Alexandra-Bastedo-(3)
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Alexandra-Bastedo-(4)
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An-Hour-In-the-Company-of-Gemma-Craven-&-Frazer-Hines
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Batley-Variety-Club.-Supporting-Artiste's
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Boozy-Carl-in-Benidorm
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carl_2
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carlandme[1]-(2)
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CD-Photo-Montage
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Con-Cluskey,-John-Pennington,-Jimmy-Cricket,-Me.-David-Piper
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David-and-Lesley
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Fancy-a-Marina-in-your-bedroom
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Flying-over-the-French-Pyranees
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Frazer-Relaxing-in-the-VIPLounge-at-Palma-Airport
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Frazer,-Mark-and-The-Gresh
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Garth-Cawood-Broadcasting-on-The-Woolworth's-Gresh-Show
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Garth-says-He's-Almost-Here!......Honest!
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Gresh-broadcasting-from-Pennine-Radio
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Gresh-Garden-(1)
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Gresh-Garden-(2)
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Gresh-interviewing-Alexandra-Bastedo
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Gresh-on-the-new-BBC-Radio-Four-programme-Counterbeat
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Gresh-Show-Live-from-Woolworths-with-special-guests
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Gresh-Show's-Pennine-Radio's-Promotional-Poster
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Congratulations Letter from Pennine Radio Director and Friend James Towler
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Gresh-The-Actor
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Gresh-The-Pop-Singer-turned-Actor!
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Gresh-the-Producer-for-Pennine-Radio's-'Celebrity-Concert'-1986
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Gresh-the-Producer-for-Pennine-Radio's-'Celebrity-Concert'
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Gresh-with-Bob
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Gresh-with-Con.-John
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Gresh-with-Ernie-Wise
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Gresh-with-Graham-and-Ruth
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Gresh-with-Honor-Blackman
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Gresh-with-Hughie-Green
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Gresh-with-Jayne.-Jimmy
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Gresh-with-Jayne
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Gresh-with-Jimmy-Cricket-and-Con-Cluskey
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Gresh-with-Jimmy-Cricket
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Gresh-with-John-and-Jimmy
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Gresh-with-John-and-Josie
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Gresh-with-John-Pell
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Gresh-with-Lesley-and-David
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Gresh-with-Liz-Allen-and-Tonyt-Monopoly
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Gresh-with-Marianne-Faithfull
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Gresh-with-Michael-and-Margaret
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Gresh-with-Neighbour-Lisa
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Gresh-with-Nigel
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Gresh-with-Peter
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Gresh-with-Ronnie
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Gresh-with-Sammy-and-Linda
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Gresh-with-Sandie-Shaw
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Gresh-with-Steve-&-Fay
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Gresh's-Live-Pennine-Radio-Show-in-full-flow
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Gresh,-Jimmy-and-The-Gang
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Hughie-Green's-Xmas-Card-to-the-Gresh
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IMG_4945
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IMG_4994
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Jayne-Mansfield
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Jimmy-and-May
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John-Alderton-doing-a-Greshstyle
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John-Alderton-meets-and-greets
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John-and-Josie
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John-Duttine-&-the-Gresh
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John,-Josie-&-David
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Kathy-Kirby-exclusive-(1)
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Kathy-Kirby-Exclusive-(2)
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Kathy-Kirby-Exclusive-(3)
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Kathy-Kirby-Exclusive-(4)
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Ken-Morley-and-cast-of-Dick-Whittington-in-Stockport-2005-6
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Let's-Have-the-Next-Guest-Please---Live-at-Woolworths
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Margaret,-Michael-and-Jane
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Mitzi,-Gresh,-Brian-and-Duggie
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Morecambe-&-Wise-Signed-10-x-8
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Nigel-and-Ronnie
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p-The-Gresh-with-Client-Ronald-Magill-and-his-new-Volvo
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Publicity-Flyer-for-Gresh-in-Mother-Goose-(2)
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Reubin-and-Fiona
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Roger-and-Jayne
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Santa-Gresh-with-the-Calendar-Girls-&-Linda-Bassett
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Stuart-Damon-with-Alexandra-Bastedo
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The-Gresh---Early,-Very-Early-Publicity-Shots
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The-Gresh-Celebrating-with-Frazer-Hines
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The-Gresh-in-Full-Flow
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The-Gresh-is-sacked-as-stand-in-for-Tom-Courteney-in-Billy-Liar!
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The-Gresh-presents-Live-Television-programmes-in-Sheffield
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The-Gresh-recording-another-Radio-Four-Programme-Counterbeat
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The-Gresh-with-Brenda-Lee
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The-Gresh-with-Gerald-Harper
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The-Gresh-with-Jayne-Mansfield
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The-Gresh-with-Ricky-Tomlinson
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The-Gresh-with-Tony-Monopoly-at-Woolworth's-Live-Show
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The-Gresh's-Live-Show-at-Woolworth's-still-gooing-strong
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The-Gresh.-Some-More-Very-Early-Publicity-Photos
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The-Gresh
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The-patient-waiting-crowds-meet-Jason-King
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The-Royal-Guests-from-Monaco
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The-Stars-go-to-Cayton-Bay-Holiday-Camp-duing-1969
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The-Stars-go-to-Cayton-Bay-Holiday-Camp-duing-1970
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The-Youngest-Gresh-Ever!
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Time-for-a-Drink!
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Who-He-----Could-it-be-the-Gresh
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Young-Gresh-at-an-EMI-Record-Traning-Course-in-London
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Young-Gresh-joins-the-chorus-for-a-local-production-in-Bradford
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Young-Gresh-with-the-Youth-Club-Dancers-in-Bradford
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The Gresh with David John and The Mood
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Michael Aspel with Frazer on his "This Is Your Life"
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The Gresh with Michael Aspel at Frazer Hines's "This Is Your Life"
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The Gresh with Susan George at Frazer Hines's "This is Your Life"
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Gresh at BCB: Gresh: Mike Winters: Steve White (BCB's ICT Co-ordinator)
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Ian Brill: Gresh: Mike Winters: Steve White
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The Gresh with Mike
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 The Gresh as a cycling "Harrier" with Jerry Booth (Graham Haberfield) in the Rovers Return "Coronation Street"
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 Comedy Line Up |
 The Krankies |
 The Krankies Deep in Thought
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 More Conversation with the Krankies |
 Have-we-told-you-the-one-about.... |
 Cannon-&-Ball |
 Before-you-go-boys
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 Cannon & Ball - Producer Steve-White in background setting the recording |
 Jimmy Cricket and Mark Waddington |
 Jimmy Introduces Mark Waddington
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 Jimmy Chats Away
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 Paul And Debbie |
 What was that you said Gresh |
 Paul Daniels - I'll get up in a Minute |
 Debbie McGee |
 Frank Carson
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 Franks a Joy to Interview |
.jpg) Another Rib Tickler (see Fay White through the Mirror)
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 My good friend Peter Wightman with his pride and joy |
 The Gresh On Pennine Radio At The Weekend"....Programme listings!
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 Gresh The Actor....?
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 Gresh's First Appearance in "Corontaion Street"
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 Gresh's Friend BILL KENWRIGHT and Ann Sidney visit him in Pantomime in Scunthorpe.
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 Gresh The Compere for the "Northern Song Contest"
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 Stanley Unwin liked to be paid in CASH After his Cabaret spot |
 Gresh The Royal Guest at the Royal Gala Thursday 26th October 1972 |
 Royal Gala Dinner Menu
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 The Royal couple
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 Elaine Stritch and Gresh Hotel Bookings
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 Gareth Hunt and Gresh Hotel Bookings
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 Hand Written Confirmation for a Greshstyle from Henry Cooper |
.jpg) Hand Written letter from Doris Speed (Annie-Walker-in-Cori)
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.jpg) Hand Written letter from Margot Bryant (Minnie-in-Cori)
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 Hand Written letter from Noele Gordon
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 Hand Written No from Jimmy Saville
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 Hotel Bookings for John Noakes Greshstyle
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.jpg) Hughie Green Letter (1)
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.jpg) Hughie Green Letter (2)
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.jpg) Hughie Green Letter (3)
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.jpg) Hughie Green Letter (4)
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.jpg) Hughie Green Letter (5)
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.jpg) Hughie Green Letter (6)
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.jpg) Hughie Green Letter (7)
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 Hughie Green's Telegram about David Whitfield Contract
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 Letter from Larry Grayson
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 Letter from my Woolworth's Mentor Wonderful Gentleman!
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.jpg) Letter from Reginald Marsh (1)
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.jpg) Letter from Reginald Marsh (2)
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Letter from The Duke Of Bedford (1)
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Letter from The Duke Of Bedford (2)
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Letter from The Duke Of Bedford (3)
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Richard Whiteley Letter to Gresh when Gresh's Mum Died
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Ronnie Corbett Letter from the London Palladium
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Terry Wogan Greshstyle Confirmation
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Tony Blackburn Greshstyle Confirmations
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Tony Curtis Letter March 1973
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Tony Curtis Letter May 1973
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Tony Curtis Letter November 1972
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Woolworth's In their Golden Greshstyle Days
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Yootha Joyce Postcard to Gresh from New Zealand
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An early Gresh invite from the BBC
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Gresh Meets Royalty with the Stars |
Spot the Gresh on a panel with Hughie-Green
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An Early Greshpic with Manfred Mann including PAUL JONES
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This was sent by Ron Tennant who heard the P.J. Special last Monday (1/6/09)
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Ardant Fan Ron Tennant from Belgium with his hero P.J. Proby - a picture taken in P.J's back garden in England
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T"he Masked Singer" (aka P.J. Proby) on "Opportunity Knocks
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Unmasked P.J. Proby
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Debra And Derek re-visit Gretna Green!
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Derek and Debra with International Actor/Entertainer MICKY ROONEY and his Wife Jan
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Dave Berry, Buddy Greco, Peter Stringfellow and Derek Franks
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Pennine Radio re-union party
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