Stratford sub Castle Guild September 11th
“Do you know who I am?” Julian Gee
Julian opened our new season with a relaxed, amusing look into the world
of celebrity. He asserted that the nature of celebrity began in the 17th
century with Royalty figures, such as Charles I and Louis XIV, and
developed into the 18th and 19th centuries with poets, such as Byron and
Tennyson.
The coming of TV brought people into our homes. “What’s my line?” made
household names of panellists, such as Barbara Kelly, Gilbert Harding and
Lady Isabel Barnett. The first ‘celebrity chef’, Fanny Craddock, also
achieved fame in the 1950s. In 1962 The Beatles made their first TV
appearance.
Celebrity often comes through notoriety and scandal. The 1960s saw a
host of such celebrities. In 1961 Viv Nicholson, a 25-year old Yorkshire
housewife became an overnight celebrity when her husband won
£152,000 (more than £4 million today) on the football pools, with her
promise to “spend, spend, spend”. In 1963 The Great Train Robbery, and
their subsequent escapes from justice, brought celebrity to career
criminals Ronnie Biggs and Buster Edwards. 1963 also led to celebrity
through scandal to John Profumo, Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice
Davies.
Talent Shows have also been another route to celebrity. The first of note
was ‘Opportunity Knocks’ hosted by Hughie Green (1950s-1970s). This
show made stars of the likes of Mary Hopkin, Frank Carson, Peters & Lee,
Paul Daniels and Tony Holland (The Muscle Man). A new wave found fame
with New Faces in the 1970s-80s, such as Victoria Wood, Marti Caine and,
of course, Lenny Henry. Future shows such as X Factor and Britain’s Got
Talent also brought celebrity to others.
Another route for celebrity is the numerous ‘Reality shows’ of recent TV
scheduling. Arguably the most obvious example of celebrity from these are
The Kardashians. This cements Andy Warhol’s "In the future, everyone will
be world-famous for 15 minutes." and Malcolm Muggeridge asserting that
“Today one is famous for being famous.” Julian gave examples, such as
Paris Hilton, Jade Goody, Coleen Rooney and ‘Eddie the Eagle’.
Julian concluded by explaining the Gift Bowl was in aid of Jane Scarth
House, Romsey, which provides emotional and practical support to anyone
whose life is affected by cancer.
Terry Ereira