Harry Secombe

Welsh bel canto tenor, entertainer, comedian, actor and TV presenter Harold Donald Secombe was born in the St Thomas area of Swansea on 8 September 1921. As a child, he sang in his local church choir. He studied singing with Manlio di Veroli. His powerful voice allowed him to star in many musicals. He also sang much religious music.

Secombe, famous also for his role in The Goon Show (BBC Radio, nine years from 1949), appeared in various films, including as Mr Bumble in the musical Oliver!, and was active as a charity worker and religious broadcaster on UK domestic TV.

Harry Secombe died from prostate cancer on 11 April 2001 in hospital in Guildford, Surrey, UK, aged seventy-nine.