Al Read
Al Read was a British radio comedian active throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Read was born in Broughton, Salford, Lancashire and was a sausage maker in his father's business. He became known as a popular after-dinner speaker with wry and well-observed humour in clubs. In 1950 Read made his radio début on the BBC. His comedy was based around the monologue form, but he also became known for dialogues in which he played both voices. His humour was observational and was about Northern English working class people, often in a domestic situation.
The Al Read Show was one of the most popular radio comedy shows in the UK in the 1950s and 1960s. Up to 35 million people listened to it each week. His catchphrases "Right, Monkey!" and "You'll be lucky - I say, you'll be lucky!", and "And he was strong", were well known. In 1963 he headed a variety format for ITV called Life and Al Read which was apparently unscripted and was broadcast live. In 1966 a BBC series called Al Read Says What a Life! was broadcast. He also worked extensively on the variety stage.
In 1954 he appeared high on the bill at the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium. In 1959 he appeared with comedian Jimmy Clitheroe in the Royal Northern Variety Performance, in the presence of the Queen Mother, at the Palace Theatre, Manchester.
The introduction to his radio show was usually "Al Read: introducing us to ourselves"; and he himself described his work as "pictures of life".
''The Al Read Show''
Surviving editions held by the BBC Sound Archive:| First Broadcast | Repeated | Description |
| 25 November 1954 | 4 July 2004 13 March 2005 30 April 2006 24 June 2007 6 January 2008 | Dad! Dad! Is that Al Read? He's a classic comedy act, isn't he, Dad? Vintage humour from November 1954, isn't it, Dad? |
| 25 January 1955 | No repeat | |
| 15 November 1955 | 11 July 2004 20 March 2005 7 May 2006 1 July 2007 13 January 2008 | The sausage maker from Salford turned king of the comedy catchphrase stars in this episode first broadcast in 1955. |
| 6 February 1966 | 12 November 1998 18 July 2004 27 March 2005 14 May 2006 8 July 2007 20 January 2008 | The sausage maker from Salford turned king of the comedy catchphrase stars in this episode, first broadcast in 1966, featuring his best-loved characters and timeless humour. |
| October 1995 | 26 November 1998 27 July 2004 3 April 2005 21 May 2006 15 July 2007 27 January 2008 | Al Read with all you ever needed to know about health, courting, marriage, kids and football, from the northern comic's monologues of the 1950s. |
| October 1995 | 3 December 1998 1 August 2004 10 April 2005 28 May 2006 22 July 2007 3 February 2008 | Ken Bruce introduces the Northern comic's monologues from the 1950s. Arriving home late, Al's efforts to relax are thwarted by his wife. |
| October 1995 | 10 December 1998 8 August 2004 17 April 2005 4 June 2006 29 July 2007 10 February 2008 | Right Monkey! A collection of Al Read's 1950s monologues. Al lifts the lid off horse racing. Compiled in October 1995 by Mike Craig. |
| October 1995 | 17 December 1998 15 August 2004 24 April 2005 11 June 2006 5 August 2007 17 February 2008 | Classic comedy from Salford's favourite son. Al Read looks at the very British institutions of hospitals, the post office and noisy neighbours. From December 1998. |
| October 1995 | 24 December 1998 22 August 2004 1 May 2005 18 June 2006 12 August 2007 24 February 2008 | Al Read gives his views on the fire brigade, the joys of driving and the morning after the night before. From December 1998. |