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{{EngvarB|date=November 2021}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{moresources|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Lionel Blair
| name = Lionel Blair
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| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|11|04|1928|12|12|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|11|04|1928|12|12|df=y}}
| death_place =
| death_place =
| occupation = Actor, [[choreographer]], [[tap dancer]], television presenter
| occupation = Actor, choreographer, tap dancer, television presenter
| yearsactive = 1944–2021
| yearsactive = 1944–2021
| spouse = {{marriage|Susan Blair|1967}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Susan Blair|1967}}
| children =
| children = 3
}}
}}


'''Lionel Blair''' (born '''Henry Lionel Ogus'''; 12 December 1928 – 4 November 2021) was a Canadian-born British actor, [[choreographer]], [[tap dancer]], and television presenter. Making regular appearances as a dancer and entertainer on British television throughout the late 1960s, the 1970s and early 1980s, he also presented the quiz programme ''[[Name That Tune (British game show)|Name That Tune]]'', and was a team captain on ''[[Give Us a Clue]]''.
'''Lionel Blair''' (born '''Henry Lionel Ogus'''; 12 December 1928 – 4 November 2021) was a Canadian-born British actor, choreographer, tap dancer, and television presenter. Making regular appearances as a dancer and entertainer on British television throughout the late 1960s, the 1970s and early 1980s, he also presented the quiz programme ''[[Name That Tune (British game show)|Name That Tune]]'', and was a team captain on ''[[Give Us a Clue]]''.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Henry Lionel Ogus was born in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada. His parents were Jewish: Myer Ogus (a barber) and Debora "Della" Greenbaum. His father emigrated from Russia to Canada to start a new life and his wife joined him shortly afterwards.<ref name=NMcG>{{cite news|author=McGrath, Nick|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/feb/15/lionel-blair-my-family-values|title=Lionel Blair: My family values|work=The Guardian|date=15 February 2013|access-date=25 June 2013|location=London, UK}}</ref>
Henry Lionel Ogus was born in [[Montreal]], Quebec, Canada. His parents were Jewish: Myer Ogus (a barber) and Debora "Della" Greenbaum. His father emigrated from Russia to Canada to start a new life and his wife joined him shortly afterwards.<ref name=NMcG>{{cite news|author=McGrath, Nick|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/feb/15/lionel-blair-my-family-values|title=Lionel Blair: My family values|work=The Guardian|date=15 February 2013|access-date=25 June 2013|location=London, UK}}</ref>


Blair came to Britain when he was two years old, and the family settled at [[Stamford Hill]] in north London, where his father continued to work as a barber. Although his parents were Jewish they were not [[Orthodox Judaism|orthodox]]; they would eat chicken on a Friday night, but also ate bacon.<ref name=NMcG/> His first public performances were with his sister [[Joyce Blair|Joyce]] (1932–2006) in the [[Manor House, London|Manor House]]<ref>Explained by Blair in the BBC programme "Back in Time For Christmas, Episode 1" (at around 18m), first aired on 14 December 2015.</ref> [[Air-raid shelter#Underground (tube) stations|Underground station air raid shelters]] and on the trains of the [[Piccadilly line]] during the air raids of [[World War II|the Second World War]]. During [[the Blitz]], mother and children were evacuated to [[Oxford]], but they returned to Stamford Hill after seeing a German plane crash. When Blair was thirteen, his father died.<ref name=NMcG/>
Blair came to Britain when he was two years old, and the family settled at [[Stamford Hill]] in north London, where his father continued to work as a barber. His parents were Jewish, but not [[Orthodox Judaism|orthodox]]; they would eat chicken on a Friday night, but also ate bacon.<ref name=NMcG/> His first public performances were with his sister [[Joyce Blair|Joyce]] (1932–2006) in the [[Manor House, London|Manor House]]<ref>Explained by Blair in the BBC programme "Back in Time For Christmas, Episode 1" (at around 18m), first aired on 14 December 2015.</ref> [[Air-raid shelter#Underground (tube) stations|Underground station air raid shelters]] and on the trains of the [[Piccadilly line]] during the air raids of [[World War II|the Second World War]]. During [[the Blitz]], mother and children were evacuated to [[Oxford]], but they returned to Stamford Hill after seeing a German plane crash. When Blair was thirteen, his father died.<ref name=NMcG/>


Blair was singled out in several reviews for his performance as one of the children in a touring performance of the play ''[[Watch on the Rhine (play)|Watch on the Rhine]]'' during 1943,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Stage Play on Anti-Nazism|work=Portsmouth Evening News |page=3|date=20 April 1943|quote= Lionel Blair's naivity endears him to the hearts of the audience|access-date=13 July 2018 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000290/19430420/037/0003| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title='Watch on the Rhine' has its moment at the Royal|work=Nottingham Journal |page=4|date=25 May 1943|quote= particularly appealing|access-date=13 July 2018 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001898/19430525/080/0004| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref> and attended the [[Royal Shakespeare Theatre]] in [[Stratford-upon-Avon|Stratford]] in 1944.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Ready for the Festival|work=Birmingham Mail |page=3|date=22 March 1944|access-date=13 July 2018 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000768/19440322/065/0003| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1946, he joined a touring company called the Savoy Players.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); The Watchman.--> |title=The Passing Hour|work=Northern Whig |page=4|date=1 December 1950|access-date=13 July 2018 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001542/19501201/070/0004| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Blair was singled out in several reviews for his performance as one of the children in a touring performance of the play ''[[Watch on the Rhine (play)|Watch on the Rhine]]'' during 1943,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Stage Play on Anti-Nazism|work=Portsmouth Evening News |page=3|date=20 April 1943|quote= Lionel Blair's naivity endears him to the hearts of the audience|access-date=13 July 2018 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000290/19430420/037/0003| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title='Watch on the Rhine' has its moment at the Royal|work=Nottingham Journal |page=4|date=25 May 1943|quote= particularly appealing|access-date=13 July 2018 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001898/19430525/080/0004| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref> and attended the [[Royal Shakespeare Theatre]] in [[Stratford-upon-Avon|Stratford]] in 1944.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Ready for the Festival|work=Birmingham Mail |page=3|date=22 March 1944|access-date=13 July 2018 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000768/19440322/065/0003| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1946, he joined a touring company called the Savoy Players.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); The Watchman.--> |title=The Passing Hour|work=Northern Whig |page=4|date=1 December 1950|access-date=13 July 2018 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001542/19501201/070/0004| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref>


Blair eventually rekindled his passion for musical theatre and began working in the [[West End theatre|West End]]. He gave up acting for dancing in 1947, although he subsequently appeared in <!-- the fringe production ''Out of the Blue'' (Chichester) - can't find this --> a national tour of ''Who Killed Agatha Christie''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/entertainment/theatre/whokilled.shtml|title=BBC – Wiltshire Theatre and Arts – Review: Who Killed Agatha Christie?|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> <!-- among other acting credits. --> He took his stage name around this time,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/british-london-montreal-jewish-the-real-marigold-hotel-b1952100.html|title=British stage and TV veteran Lionel Blair dies at 92|date=5 November 2021|website=The Independent}}</ref> later changing it [[Deed of change of name|by deed poll]] just before he married in 1967; his sister also decided to use the same surname professionally.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/news/lionel-blair-dead-aged-92/#:~:text=In%201944%2C%20Lionel%20joined%20the,their%2050th%20anniversary%20in%202017 |title=Lionel Blair dies aged 92 – Legendary TV personality passes away surrounded by family |first=Tilly |last=Pearce |publisher=entertainmentdaily.co.uk |date=4 November 2021 |access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref>
Blair eventually rekindled his passion for musical theatre and began working in the [[West End theatre|West End]]. He gave up acting for dancing in 1947, although he subsequently appeared in the fringe production ''Out of the Blue'' (Chichester) and ''Who Killed Agatha Christie'' (national tour) among other acting credits. He took his stage name around this time, later changing it by deed poll just before he married in 1967 (his sister also decided to use the same surname professionally).{{cn|date=August 2017}}


==Career==
==Career==
Blair came to the fore in the 1960s when, with his dance troupe, he appeared on television variety programmes. He also appeared in the films ''[[The Limping Man (1953 film)|The Limping Man]]'' (1953), ''[[The World of Suzie Wong (film)|The World of Suzie Wong]]'' (1960), ''[[The Cool Mikado]]'' (1963), ''[[The Beauty Jungle]]'' (1964), ''[[A Hard Day's Night (movie)|A Hard Day's Night]]'' (1964), ''[[Maroc 7]]'' (1967) and ''[[Absolute Beginners (movie)|Absolute Beginners]]'' (1986), cameoed in an episode of ''[[The Persuaders!]]'', and appeared in television comedy, including the short film, ''[[The Plank (1979 film)|The Plank]]''. In addition, he choreographed films such as ''[[Jazz Boat]]'' (1960), in which he made an uncredited appearance, and ''[[The Magic Christian (film)|The Magic Christian]]'' (1969).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064622/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm|title=IMDb.com:The Magic Christian(1969) Full Cast & Crew |access-date=14 July 2018|work=IMDb.com}}</ref> He appeared in [[Miss World 1969]] and [[Miss World 1970|1970]] at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/279eef67903d499886a69dec4ed63d6f |title=Miss World 1969 |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date= |access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b74586c34|title=Miss World 1970 (1970)|website=BFI}}</ref>
Blair came to the fore in the 1960s when, with his dance troupe, he appeared on television variety programmes. He also appeared in the films ''[[The Limping Man (1953 film)|The Limping Man]]'' (1953), ''[[The World of Suzie Wong (film)|The World of Suzie Wong]]'' (1960), ''[[The Cool Mikado]]'' (1963), ''[[The Beauty Jungle]]'' (1964), ''[[A Hard Day's Night (movie)|A Hard Day's Night]]'' (1964), ''[[Maroc 7]]'' (1967) and ''[[Absolute Beginners (movie)|Absolute Beginners]]'' (1986), cameoed in an episode of ''[[The Persuaders!]]'', and appeared in television comedy, including the short film, ''[[The Plank (1979 film)|The Plank]]''. In addition, he choreographed films such as ''[[Jazz Boat]]'' (1960), in which he made an uncredited appearance, and ''[[The Magic Christian (film)|The Magic Christian]]'' (1969).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064622/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm|title=IMDb.com:The Magic Christian(1969) Full Cast & Crew |access-date=14 July 2018|work=IMDb.com}}</ref> He appeared in [[Miss World 1969]] and [[Miss World 1970|1970]] at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in London.

[[File:Lionel blair's handprints, bath.jpg|thumb|right|Lionel Blair's handprints in Bath, UK]]
[[File:Lionel blair's handprints, bath.jpg|thumb|right|Lionel Blair's handprints in Bath, UK]]

Blair was one of the team captains on the game show ''[[Give Us a Clue]]'' from 1979 until the early 1990s, and was the second presenter of the British version of ''[[Name That Tune (UK game show)|Name That Tune]]'' in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=ITV's Schedule – Light Entertainment|work=The Stage |page=15|date=23 August 1984|access-date=28 March 2020 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19840823/123/0015| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Blair was one of the team captains on the game show ''[[Give Us a Clue]]'' from 1979 until the early 1990s, and was the second presenter of the British version of ''[[Name That Tune (UK game show)|Name That Tune]]'' in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=ITV's Schedule – Light Entertainment|work=The Stage |page=15|date=23 August 1984|access-date=28 March 2020 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19840823/123/0015| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref>


In 1983, he appeared as the celebrity darter for charity on ''[[Bullseye (UK game show)|Bullseye]]''. He published his autobiography ''Stagestruck'' in 1986. In 2005, he took part in the [[Five (TV channel)|Channel Five]] reality series, ''[[The Farm (UK TV series)|The Farm]]''. Until 2005 he appeared extensively in pantomime, for which he earned up to £15,000 a week.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/9888945/Lionel-Blair-I-went-from-15-a-week-to-15000.html|title=Lionel Blair: 'I went from £15 a week to £15,000'|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=25 February 2013|author= McGrath, Nick|access-date=4 November 2021|location=London, UK}}</ref>
In 1983, he appeared as the celebrity darter for charity on ''[[Bullseye (UK game show)|Bullseye]]''. He published his autobiography ''Stagestruck'' in 1986. In 2005, he took part in the [[Five (TV channel)|Channel Five]] reality series, ''[[The Farm (UK TV series)|The Farm]]''. Until 2005 he appeared extensively in pantomime, for which he earned up to £15,000 a week.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/9888945/Lionel-Blair-I-went-from-15-a-week-to-15000.html|title=Lionel Blair: 'I went from £15 a week to £15,000'|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=25 February 2013|author= McGrath, Nick|access-date=4 November 2021|location=London, UK}}</ref>


In 1988 Blair made an appearance in aid of charity on the British television game show ''[[Catchphrase_(British_game_show)|Catchphrase]]'', hosted by Irish comedian [[Roy_Walker_(comedian)|Roy Walker]]. Other celebrities also appeared alongside Blair, including radio DJ [[Chris Tarrant]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7e927daf|title=Catchphrase Celebrity Special[31/12/88] (1988)|website=BFI}}</ref>
In 1988, Blair made an appearance in aid of charity on the British television game show ''[[Catchphrase_(British_game_show)|Catchphrase]]'', hosted by Irish comedian [[Roy_Walker_(comedian)|Roy Walker]]. Other celebrities also appeared alongside Blair, with big names at the time including radio DJ [[Chris Tarrant]].

In 1993, Blair appeared as himself in an episode of ''[[Birds of a Feather (TV series)|Birds of a Feather]]''.


1997 saw Blair make a surprise appearance on the [[Sky One]] lifestyle programme ''1 to 3'', to surprise a [[Bradford]]-based guitar duo who'd named themselves ''The Lionel Blairs'' after the entertainer.
In 1993 Blair appeared as himself in an episode of ''[[Birds of a Feather (TV series)|Birds of a Feather]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://networkonair.com/all-products/2737-birds-of-a-feather-the-christmas-collection|title=Birds of a Feather: The Christmas Collection|website=Network On Air}}</ref>


He took part in the 2007 Christmas special of the [[Ricky Gervais]] show ''[[Extras (TV series)|Extras]]'', as himself, portraying the end-stages of his showbiz career by trying to keep up his profile by appearing on ''[[Celebrity Big Brother (British TV series)|Celebrity Big Brother]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48513358|title=Give Us A Clue to Extras: The life of Lionel Blair|date=4 November 2021|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
He took part in the 2007 Christmas special of the [[Ricky Gervais]] show ''[[Extras (TV series)|Extras]]'', as himself, portraying the end-stages of his showbiz career by trying to keep up his profile by appearing on ''[[Celebrity Big Brother (British TV series)|Celebrity Big Brother]]''.


In 2009 twenty-one years after [[Chris Rea]]'s "[[Driving Home for Christmas]]" was first released, Blair starred in an original video for the song that was made in aid of [[Shelter (charity)|Shelter]]. All proceeds from the digital download were donated to the charity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smoothradio.com/features/the-story-of/chris-rea-driving-home-for-christmas-lyrics-video/|title=The Story Of... 'Driving Home for Christmas' by Chris Rea|website=Smooth}}</ref>
In 2009, twenty-one years after [[Chris Rea]]'s "[[Driving Home for Christmas]]" was first released, Blair starred in an original video for the song that was made in aid of [[Shelter (charity)|Shelter]]. All proceeds from the digital download were donated to the charity.


In July 2010 Blair appeared in the "Great British Dog Walks" feature on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]'' with his dog Lola. The same year, he took part in the [[BBC]]'s ''The Young Ones'', in which six celebrities in their 70s and 80s attempt to overcome some of the problems of ageing by harking back to the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tq4d3|title=The Young Ones|publisher=BBC|date=22 December 2010|access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>
In July 2010, Blair appeared in the "Great British Dog Walks" feature on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]'' with his dog Lola. The same year, he took part in the [[BBC]]'s ''The Young Ones'', in which six celebrities in their 70s and 80s attempt to overcome some of the problems of ageing by harking back to the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tq4d3|title=The Young Ones|publisher=BBC|date=22 December 2010|access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>


In December 2010 he appeared briefly in a sketch with [[Ronnie Corbett]] and [[Rob Brydon]] in BBC One's ''[[The One Ronnie]]''. On 24 December 2011, he appeared on the ITV programme ''[[Text Santa]]'' with [[Ant & Dec]]. In 2012, he was cast in the film version of [[Ray Cooney]]'s [[farce]] ''[[Run for Your Wife (2012 film)|Run for Your Wife]]''. On 3 January 2014, he entered the ''[[Celebrity Big Brother (British series 13)|Celebrity Big Brother]]'' house with ''[[Made in Chelsea]]'' media personality [[Ollie Locke]], after being handcuffed together as part of a task set by Big Brother. He became the third housemate to be evicted on 17 January 2014.<ref name="Lionel Blair evicted">{{cite news|title=Lionel Blair evicted|work=Daily Mirror|location=London|date=17 January 2014|access-date=20 January 2014|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/celebrity-big-brother-recap-lionel-3030941#.Ut1LZf-3TIU}}</ref>
In December 2010, he appeared briefly in a sketch with [[Ronnie Corbett]] and [[Rob Brydon]] in BBC One's ''[[The One Ronnie]]''. On 24 December 2011, he appeared on the ITV programme ''[[Text Santa]]'' with [[Ant & Dec]]. In 2012, he was cast in the film version of [[Ray Cooney]]'s [[farce]] ''[[Run for Your Wife (2012 film)|Run for Your Wife]]''. On 3 January 2014, he entered the ''[[Celebrity Big Brother (British series 13)|Celebrity Big Brother]]'' house with ''[[Made in Chelsea]]'' media personality [[Ollie Locke]], after being handcuffed together as part of a task set by Big Brother. He became the third housemate to be evicted on 17 January 2014.<ref name="Lionel Blair evicted">{{cite news|title=Lionel Blair evicted|work=Daily Mirror|location=London|date=17 January 2014|access-date=20 January 2014|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/celebrity-big-brother-recap-lionel-3030941#.Ut1LZf-3TIU}}</ref>


Blair continued to work as an actor, having filmed an episode of BBC One's medical soap opera ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' in 2014.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3lCwMw8p7DCWzCxk6K00kqT/lionel-blair-interview/ "The Doctors cast are joined by showbiz legend, Lionel Blair"], BBC.co.uk; retrieved 20 September 2016.</ref>
Blair continued to work as an actor, having filmed an episode of BBC One's medical soap opera ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' in 2014.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3lCwMw8p7DCWzCxk6K00kqT/lionel-blair-interview/ "The Doctors cast are joined by showbiz legend, Lionel Blair"], BBC.co.uk; retrieved 20 September 2016.</ref>
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He appeared in the British short film ''[[Evil's Evil Cousin]]'' in 2016. On 14 December that year, he guested on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] [[panel show]], ''[[Loose Women]]'', to announce and celebrate his recent 88th birthday. The panellists presented him with a personalised cake. In 2017, Blair was one of the celebrities appearing in the second series of the BBC reality series ''[[The Real Marigold Hotel]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2KxQbCz3Z21zbFRfTd6N19p/the-male-residents|title=The male residents|publisher=BBC|date=17 February 2020|work = The Real Marigold Hotel|access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>
He appeared in the British short film ''[[Evil's Evil Cousin]]'' in 2016. On 14 December that year, he guested on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] [[panel show]], ''[[Loose Women]]'', to announce and celebrate his recent 88th birthday. The panellists presented him with a personalised cake. In 2017, Blair was one of the celebrities appearing in the second series of the BBC reality series ''[[The Real Marigold Hotel]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2KxQbCz3Z21zbFRfTd6N19p/the-male-residents|title=The male residents|publisher=BBC|date=17 February 2020|work = The Real Marigold Hotel|access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>


In 2018 he joined 26 other celebrities at [[Metropolis Group|Metropolis Studios]], to perform an original Christmas song called "[[Rock With Rudolph]]", a song written and produced by Grahame and Jack Corbyn. The song was recorded in aid of [[Great Ormond Street Hospital]] and was released digitally by the independent record label [[Saga Entertainment]] on 30 November 2018 under the artist name [[The Celebs]]. The music video debuted exclusively with ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' on 29 November 2018, and had its first TV showing on ''[[Good Morning Britain (2014 TV programme)|Good Morning Britain]]'' on 30 November 2018. Blair appeared on ''Loose Women'' on 13 December to help promote the single and celebrate his 90th Birthday. The song peaked at number two on the iTunes pop chart.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Faye |title=TV stars sing for Great Ormond Street Christmas charity single |url=https://www.itv.com/news/london/2018-11-30/tv-stars-sing-for-great-ormond-street-christmas-charity-single/ |website=ITV News |language=en |date=30 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Blair wants to play a Doctor Who villain |url=https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/news/lionel-blair-wants-play-doctor-who-villain-1176748.html |website=www.femalefirst.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Celebs – Rock With Rudolph |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzKdnHT1zqg |website=YouTube |publisher=TheCelebsVEVO |access-date=30 November 2018}}</ref>
In 2018, he joined 26 other celebrities at [[Metropolis Group|Metropolis Studios]], to perform an original Christmas song called "[[Rock With Rudolph]]", a song written and produced by Grahame and Jack Corbyn. The song was recorded in aid of [[Great Ormond Street Hospital]] and was released digitally on independent record label [[Saga Entertainment]] on 30 November 2018 under the artist name [[The Celebs]]. The music video debuted exclusively with ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' on 29 November 2018, and had its first TV showing on ''[[Good Morning Britain (2014 TV programme)|Good Morning Britain]]'' on 30 November 2018. Blair appeared on ''Loose Women'' on 13 December to help promote the single and celebrate his 90th Birthday. The song peaked at number two on the iTunes pop chart.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Faye |title=TV stars sing for Great Ormond Street Christmas charity single |url=https://www.itv.com/news/london/2018-11-30/tv-stars-sing-for-great-ormond-street-christmas-charity-single/ |website=ITV News |language=en |date=30 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Blair wants to play a Doctor Who villain |url=https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/news/lionel-blair-wants-play-doctor-who-villain-1176748.html |website=www.femalefirst.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Celebs – Rock With Rudolph |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzKdnHT1zqg |website=YouTube |publisher=TheCelebsVEVO |access-date=30 November 2018}}</ref>


In 2019 he received the honour of being named '[https://www.theoldie.co.uk/ Oldie of the Year]' at the annual awards promoted by ''[[The Oldie]]'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU74Wg6nN3I|title=The 2019 Oldie of the Year Awards – Full Ceremony|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theoldie.co.uk/blog/lionel-blair-laughs-tears-of-sadness-and-delight|title = LIONEL BLAIR LAUGHS TEARS OF SADNESS – AND DELIGHT – Watch his full speech here}}</ref>
In 2019, he received the honour of being named '[https://www.theoldie.co.uk/ Oldie of the Year]' at the annual awards promoted by ''[[The Oldie]]'' magazine.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU74Wg6nN3I&t=336s</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theoldie.co.uk/blog/lionel-blair-laughs-tears-of-sadness-and-delight|title = LIONEL BLAIR LAUGHS TEARS OF SADNESS – AND DELIGHT – Watch his full speech here}}</ref>


Blair, and his incorrectly assumed homosexuality, was a [[Running gag|recurring joke]] on the long-running BBC Radio 4 series ''[[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bletchly |first1=Rachael |title=Lionel Blair on beating cancer and still performing at the age of 82 |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/lionel-blair-beating-cancer-still-2252389 |website=The Mirror |access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref>
Blair, and his (incorrectly) assumed homosexuality, was a [[Running gag|recurring joke]] on the long-running BBC Radio 4 series ''[[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]]'', often as the punchline of a [[double entendre]].{{cn}}


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Line 64: Line 67:
On 21 September 2006, Blair and comedian [[Alan Carr]] helped save a man about to fall from a pier in [[Blackpool]]. The man was holding on by his fingers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/5368936.stm|title=Entertainers in pier rescue drama|date=21 September 2006|access-date=29 April 2007|publisher=BBC News}}</ref>
On 21 September 2006, Blair and comedian [[Alan Carr]] helped save a man about to fall from a pier in [[Blackpool]]. The man was holding on by his fingers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/5368936.stm|title=Entertainers in pier rescue drama|date=21 September 2006|access-date=29 April 2007|publisher=BBC News}}</ref>


Blair died on the morning of 4 November 2021, at the age of 92, one month before his 93rd birthday.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 November 2021|title=Lionel Blair dies aged 92|language=en-GB|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59171576|access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref> According to [[CelebrityNetWorth]], he was worth £2.9 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/1516761/Lionel-Blair-net-worth|title=Lionel Blair net worth: 92-year-old British actor worth staggering sum|first=Rebecca|last=Miller|date=4 November 2021|website=Express.co.uk}}</ref>
Blair died on the morning of 4 November 2021, at the age of 92.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 November 2021|title=Lionel Blair dies aged 92|language=en-GB|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59171576|access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 72: Line 75:
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wr8pq Blair chooses Sammy Davis Jr on BBC Radio 4's "Great Lives"]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wr8pq Blair chooses Sammy Davis Jr on BBC Radio 4's "Great Lives"]
*{{IMDb name|0086296}}
*{{IMDb name|0086296}}
* [https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2baac812c8 Lionel Blair] at [[BFI]]
*[http://www.itv.com/lifestyle/thismorning/showbiz/greatbritishdogwalkslionelblair/ Blair's appearance with dog Lola on ITV1's "This Morning" show]
*[http://www.itv.com/lifestyle/thismorning/showbiz/greatbritishdogwalkslionelblair/ Blair's appearance with dog Lola on ITV1's "This Morning" show]
* [https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/nov/05/lionel-blair-obituary Lionel Blair obituary] at ''[[The Guardian]]''
* [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2021/11/04/lionel-blair-veteran-dancer-actor-choreographer-became-institution/ Lionel Blair, veteran dancer, actor and choreographer who became a television institution on Give Us a Clue – obituary] at ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''{{subscription required}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Revision as of 10:30, 7 November 2021

Lionel Blair
Blair in 2010
Born
Henry Lionel Ogus

(1928-12-12)12 December 1928[1]
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died4 November 2021(2021-11-04) (aged 92)
Occupation(s)Actor, choreographer, tap dancer, television presenter
Years active1944–2021
Spouse
Susan Blair
​
(m. 1967)​
Children3

Lionel Blair (born Henry Lionel Ogus; 12 December 1928 – 4 November 2021) was a Canadian-born British actor, choreographer, tap dancer, and television presenter. Making regular appearances as a dancer and entertainer on British television throughout the late 1960s, the 1970s and early 1980s, he also presented the quiz programme Name That Tune, and was a team captain on Give Us a Clue.

Early life

Henry Lionel Ogus was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His parents were Jewish: Myer Ogus (a barber) and Debora "Della" Greenbaum. His father emigrated from Russia to Canada to start a new life and his wife joined him shortly afterwards.[2]

Blair came to Britain when he was two years old, and the family settled at Stamford Hill in north London, where his father continued to work as a barber. His parents were Jewish, but not orthodox; they would eat chicken on a Friday night, but also ate bacon.[2] His first public performances were with his sister Joyce (1932–2006) in the Manor House[3] Underground station air raid shelters and on the trains of the Piccadilly line during the air raids of the Second World War. During the Blitz, mother and children were evacuated to Oxford, but they returned to Stamford Hill after seeing a German plane crash. When Blair was thirteen, his father died.[2]

Blair was singled out in several reviews for his performance as one of the children in a touring performance of the play Watch on the Rhine during 1943,[4][5] and attended the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford in 1944.[6] In 1946, he joined a touring company called the Savoy Players.[7]

Blair eventually rekindled his passion for musical theatre and began working in the West End. He gave up acting for dancing in 1947, although he subsequently appeared in the fringe production Out of the Blue (Chichester) and Who Killed Agatha Christie (national tour) among other acting credits. He took his stage name around this time, later changing it by deed poll just before he married in 1967 (his sister also decided to use the same surname professionally).[citation needed]

Career

Blair came to the fore in the 1960s when, with his dance troupe, he appeared on television variety programmes. He also appeared in the films The Limping Man (1953), The World of Suzie Wong (1960), The Cool Mikado (1963), The Beauty Jungle (1964), A Hard Day's Night (1964), Maroc 7 (1967) and Absolute Beginners (1986), cameoed in an episode of The Persuaders!, and appeared in television comedy, including the short film, The Plank. In addition, he choreographed films such as Jazz Boat (1960), in which he made an uncredited appearance, and The Magic Christian (1969).[8] He appeared in Miss World 1969 and 1970 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Lionel Blair's handprints in Bath, UK

Blair was one of the team captains on the game show Give Us a Clue from 1979 until the early 1990s, and was the second presenter of the British version of Name That Tune in the 1980s.[9]

In 1983, he appeared as the celebrity darter for charity on Bullseye. He published his autobiography Stagestruck in 1986. In 2005, he took part in the Channel Five reality series, The Farm. Until 2005 he appeared extensively in pantomime, for which he earned up to £15,000 a week.[10]

In 1988, Blair made an appearance in aid of charity on the British television game show Catchphrase, hosted by Irish comedian Roy Walker. Other celebrities also appeared alongside Blair, with big names at the time including radio DJ Chris Tarrant.

In 1993, Blair appeared as himself in an episode of Birds of a Feather.

1997 saw Blair make a surprise appearance on the Sky One lifestyle programme 1 to 3, to surprise a Bradford-based guitar duo who'd named themselves The Lionel Blairs after the entertainer.

He took part in the 2007 Christmas special of the Ricky Gervais show Extras, as himself, portraying the end-stages of his showbiz career by trying to keep up his profile by appearing on Celebrity Big Brother.

In 2009, twenty-one years after Chris Rea's "Driving Home for Christmas" was first released, Blair starred in an original video for the song that was made in aid of Shelter. All proceeds from the digital download were donated to the charity.

In July 2010, Blair appeared in the "Great British Dog Walks" feature on ITV's This Morning with his dog Lola. The same year, he took part in the BBC's The Young Ones, in which six celebrities in their 70s and 80s attempt to overcome some of the problems of ageing by harking back to the 1970s.[11]

In December 2010, he appeared briefly in a sketch with Ronnie Corbett and Rob Brydon in BBC One's The One Ronnie. On 24 December 2011, he appeared on the ITV programme Text Santa with Ant & Dec. In 2012, he was cast in the film version of Ray Cooney's farce Run for Your Wife. On 3 January 2014, he entered the Celebrity Big Brother house with Made in Chelsea media personality Ollie Locke, after being handcuffed together as part of a task set by Big Brother. He became the third housemate to be evicted on 17 January 2014.[12]

Blair continued to work as an actor, having filmed an episode of BBC One's medical soap opera Doctors in 2014.[13]

He appeared in the British short film Evil's Evil Cousin in 2016. On 14 December that year, he guested on the ITV panel show, Loose Women, to announce and celebrate his recent 88th birthday. The panellists presented him with a personalised cake. In 2017, Blair was one of the celebrities appearing in the second series of the BBC reality series The Real Marigold Hotel.[14]

In 2018, he joined 26 other celebrities at Metropolis Studios, to perform an original Christmas song called "Rock With Rudolph", a song written and produced by Grahame and Jack Corbyn. The song was recorded in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital and was released digitally on independent record label Saga Entertainment on 30 November 2018 under the artist name The Celebs. The music video debuted exclusively with The Sun on 29 November 2018, and had its first TV showing on Good Morning Britain on 30 November 2018. Blair appeared on Loose Women on 13 December to help promote the single and celebrate his 90th Birthday. The song peaked at number two on the iTunes pop chart.[15][16][17]

In 2019, he received the honour of being named 'Oldie of the Year' at the annual awards promoted by The Oldie magazine.[18][19]

Blair, and his (incorrectly) assumed homosexuality, was a recurring joke on the long-running BBC Radio 4 series I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, often as the punchline of a double entendre.[citation needed]

Personal life

Blair married Susan Davis at Kensington Register Office on 21 March 1967, with Bernie Winters as best man.[2][20] They had three children and three grandchildren[2] and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in March 2017.[21]

On 21 September 2006, Blair and comedian Alan Carr helped save a man about to fall from a pier in Blackpool. The man was holding on by his fingers.[22]

Blair died on the morning of 4 November 2021, at the age of 92.[23]

References

  1. ^ "Who is lionel Blair" interview, radiotimes.com, 11–17 February 2017, pg. 32;
    "I always used to lie about my age. I'm proud that I'm still tap dancing at 88".
  2. ^ a b c d e McGrath, Nick (15 February 2013). "Lionel Blair: My family values". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  3. ^ Explained by Blair in the BBC programme "Back in Time For Christmas, Episode 1" (at around 18m), first aired on 14 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Stage Play on Anti-Nazism". Portsmouth Evening News. 20 April 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 13 July 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive. Lionel Blair's naivity endears him to the hearts of the audience
  5. ^ "'Watch on the Rhine' has its moment at the Royal". Nottingham Journal. 25 May 1943. p. 4. Retrieved 13 July 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive. particularly appealing
  6. ^ "Ready for the Festival". Birmingham Mail. 22 March 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 13 July 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "The Passing Hour". Northern Whig. 1 December 1950. p. 4. Retrieved 13 July 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "IMDb.com:The Magic Christian(1969) Full Cast & Crew". IMDb.com. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  9. ^ "ITV's Schedule – Light Entertainment". The Stage. 23 August 1984. p. 15. Retrieved 28 March 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ McGrath, Nick (25 February 2013). "Lionel Blair: 'I went from £15 a week to £15,000'". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  11. ^ "The Young Ones". BBC. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  12. ^ "Lionel Blair evicted". Daily Mirror. London. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  13. ^ "The Doctors cast are joined by showbiz legend, Lionel Blair", BBC.co.uk; retrieved 20 September 2016.
  14. ^ "The male residents". The Real Marigold Hotel. BBC. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  15. ^ Barker, Faye (30 November 2018). "TV stars sing for Great Ormond Street Christmas charity single". ITV News.
  16. ^ "Lionel Blair wants to play a Doctor Who villain". www.femalefirst.co.uk.
  17. ^ "The Celebs – Rock With Rudolph". YouTube. TheCelebsVEVO. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  18. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU74Wg6nN3I&t=336s
  19. ^ "LIONEL BLAIR LAUGHS TEARS OF SADNESS – AND DELIGHT – Watch his full speech here".
  20. ^ Lionel Blair And Wife British actor and dancer Lionel Blair marries model Susan Davis at Kensington Register Office in London, 21st March 1967, gettyimages.co.uk, accessed 20 October 2021
  21. ^ Virginia Blackburn, "'I stole my mate’s girl… and married her' – How Lionel Blair met his wife", The Daily Express, 16 December 2016
  22. ^ "Entertainers in pier rescue drama". BBC News. 21 September 2006. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
  23. ^ "Lionel Blair dies aged 92". BBC News. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
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