A television special on the life of Glasgow comedy legend Stanley Baxter will air this month - on his 93rd birthday.
Glasgow Live can reveal that the veteran performer features in the first episode of Comedy National Treasures, a new documentary series from Channel 5 focusing on the UK's greatest comics.
Inviting the filmmakers into his London home and reflecting upon more than 80 years in showbusiness, Baxter said: “I kinda liked this programme, but my opinion on the matter probably shouldn't be trusted.”
The 90-minute film celebrates Baxter's memorable impression of the Queen, aka The Duchess of Brendagh, and his revered Parliamo Glasgow sketches, in which he translated Glaswegian into Her Majesty's English.
Beginning with his performances as a child actor in the 1930s, the film traces the multiple Bafta-winning comedian's long career through radio, theatre, television and films, up until, at 90 years old, he was continuing to record The Stanley Baxter Playhouse for Radio 4.
Rory Bremner, Miriam Margoyles, Barry Cryer and his Playhouse co-star Geoffrey Palmer are among the friends and admirers who have been interviewed for the film.
It also features extensive footage of Baxter's sketches, impressions and extravagant song and dance routines from his primetime BBC and ITV shows, which attracted as many as 20million viewers in the 1960s and 1970s.
Speaking to Glasgow Live in 2016, on the occasion of his 90th birthday, Baxter reflected upon whether he was happy .
“If you’d asked me that a few years ago, I’d probably have said no” he said. “But now – [gesturing to all the cards around the room] – how can I say no, with all the love that surrounds me, all these good wishes and flowers on my birthday?”
Comedy National Treasures is directed by Graham Pass, who writes and produces with Catherine Royle.
The series is executive produced by critic Victor Lewis-Smith for Associated Rediffusion Productions, which has also made Sky Arts documentaries on Peter Sellers, Kenneth Williams and Tony Hancock to air over Christmas 2018.
Today, Victor Lewis-Smith confirmed the air date, tweeting: “Stop press. Our 90 minute Stanley Baxter doc will air on Ch5 on Friday, May 24. Which just happens to be Stanley’s 93rd birthday.”
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