Jo Brand to host Dawson tribute

The programme, Laughter And Tears: The Les Dawson Story, will include one of the first radio interviews with the comic’s daughter Charlotte, who was less than a year old when her father died from a heart attack in 1993.

Executive producer Ashley Byrne told said: ‘Les’s observational comedy is still as funny as ever.

‘This warm documentary will look at Les’s roots and the early poverty-stricken world that ultimately shaped his comedy but it will also explore some of his hidden talents too – from his piano playing, his writing, poetry and his numerous experiments as a straight actor.

‘There’ll also be plenty of anecdotes about Les the devoted husband, father and friend. We’ll hear how he nursed his first wife through her battle with cancer and how he found love for a second time in his late 50s.’

The programme,will air on Radio 2 at 10.30pm on Tuesday October 2.

It was made by the independent production company Made in Manchester, which previously put together the Laurel And Hardy documentary, Another Fine Mess, which Sir Norman Wisdom presented on the channel last summer.

Published: 19 Sep 2007