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Dave Allen: God's Own Comedian

Reflecting on the career of Dave Allen, the Irish comedian who cut his teeth at Butlins, became a TV star in Australia and returned home to dominate the schedules in Britain.

Told by family and friends, with rare unseen archive, this documentary reflects on the career of Dave Allen, relative of poet Katharine Tynan, and a natural performer who cut his teeth at Butlins. He became a TV star in Australia in his twenties, before returning home to dominate the schedules here in Britain with his unique blend of sketches and stories in a career that took in films, plays, documentaries and chat shows, alongside award-winning comedy series.

Respected, admired and with unshakeable integrity, Dave Allen fought for what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it. He was driven by simple honesty. It was this solitary and determined path that made his talents special and unusual and inspired a generation of comics that were to follow. For the first time ever this rich and compelling career is celebrated on screen, giving a chance to reflect on his many achievements and on the private life that went alongside it. With contributions from Stephen Berkoff, Stephen Frears, and Dame Maggie Smith, among others.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 21 Dec 2019 21:20

Clip

Music Played

  • Florence + The Machine

    Never Let Me Go

  • Plan B

    Stay Too Long

  • Plan B

    Stay Too Long

  • Helen Shapiro

    Walking Back To Happiness

  • The Heavy

    How You Like Me Now?

  • Foster the People

    Pumped Up Kicks

  • Noah and the Whale

    Give a Little Love

  • Dave Brubeck

    Take Five

  • New Order

    Blue Monday

  • Rob Dougan

    Furious Angels

  • Beach House

    Myth

  • Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

    Jubilee Street

  • Gotye

    Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)

Credit

Role Contributor
Producer Verity Maidlow

Broadcasts