Yahoo News Showbusiness veteran Lionel Blair dies aged 92
Showbusiness veteran Lionel Blair has died aged 92, his agent has told the PA news agency.
Across a seven-decade career, Blair worked on the small screen and stage as an actor, tap dancer, presenter and choreographer.
However, he was perhaps best known for being a team captain on Give Us A Clue, the ITV game show.
Blair died in the early hours on Thursday morning, his agent said.
The performer was born in Canada in 1928 before moving to Britain at the age of two but always remained coy over his true age and famously once said: "I am 59 plus VAT."
He grew up in Stamford Hill, north London, and was evacuated to Oxford when war broke out, with his sister Joyce and mother, Deborah.
His family were Jewish but not orthodox and their habit of eating bacon was frowned upon by their neighbours.
Blair cited Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Shirley Temple as figures who inspired him to pursue a life in showbusiness.
In the West End, he played the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, and had roles in Lady Be Good, Mr Cinders and Pageant.
His career saw him engage in a dance-off against Sammy Davis Jr at the Royal Variety Performance in 1961, appear in the Beatles film A Hard Day's Night, and choreograph big screen features such as The Magic Christian.
On TV he choreographed and appeared in 1970s programmes such as The Mike and Bernie Show, The Tommy Cooper Hour and the Jimmy Tarbuck Show.
He pivoted to judging with New Faces in the late 70s, a talent show forerunner to series such as Pop Idol and X Factor.
Blair later became a household name opposite Una Stubbs in the long-running Give Us a Clue.
He reprised the role in a 2011 Comic Relief special and was back on screens for Celebrity Big Brother in 2014.
He spent 15 days in the house, exiting third after boxer Evander Holyfield and model Jasmine Waltz.
In 2017, he joined The Real Marigold Hotel and travelled around India with other elderly celebrities.
He married wife Susan in March 1967 and once said the secret to a successful marriage is memories. The couple had three children and three grandchildren.
Tributes paid to 'showbiz trouper'
Blair was hailed on Thursday night as a "showbiz trouper".
Christopher Biggins, TV star and friend of Blair, said they often spoke on the phone. He told BBC News: "He was just the most wonderful, kind, funny, real giver of life. His energy was extraordinary."
Biggins said he got to know Blair on the long-running show Give Us a Clue, in which Blair starred opposite Una Stubbs, who also died this year. "He's up there now entertaining with Una, I'm sure," he said.
Biggins said Blair was "very competitive" and "loved to win", adding: "He was just marvellous, a wonderful entertainer who will be sadly missed."
He added: "He could sing, he could dance, he was just like Bruce Forsyth."
He described him as the "king of the pantomime" and a man who was "adored" by the public.
The greatest showbiz story I know has Lionel Blair as it's hero. Honestly.
I could tell it here.
But I knew Lionel well. He would be, "Oh no darling, keep it for the act, don't throw that away, are you mad?"
So I will.
Blackheath Halls January 8th-9th.
And bless you, Guvnor.— Danny Baker (@prodnose) November 4, 2021
Actress Bonnie Langford tweeted a picture of herself dancing with Blair, adding: "Dear Lionel. Privileged to have been your dance partner."
Julian Clary tweeted: "RIP dear Lionel Blair. A showbiz trouper if ever there was."
Broadcaster Danny Baker tweeted: "A true chum, an entertainer beyond compare, an archive of a golden era, an immeasurable talent.
"Impossible to think he won't be in some Green room somewhere, dropping names and living out fantastic tales. A Giant. Really."
Piers Morgan tweeted: "RIP Lionel Blair, 92. A wonderful all-round entertainer & lovely man. Sad news."
Author Emma Kennedy tweeted: "I am very glad I got to meet Lionel Blair. He was a phenomenon. Full of magical, fruity, end with a wink anecdotes. What a career. What a talent. #RIPLionel"
