It’ll be Alright on the Night host Denis Norden dies aged 96
COMEDY WRITER and television presenter Denis Norden died on September 18, aged 96.
Born into a Jewish family in Hackney, Norden was best known as the presenter of shows such as It’ll be Alright on the Night, Looks Familiar and Laughter File.
He died on Yom Kippur, after “spending many weeks at hospital”, according to a statement. In 2008, he told the JC in an interview that he was “non-observant, though the stomach will be the last thing to go”. The statement added: “A wonderful dad, a loving grandfather and great great-grandfather — he gave his laughter-mongering to so many… He will be in our hearts forever.”
Mr Norden’s children, Nick and Maggie, said they wished to thank “all the dedicated staff and doctors who had looked after him — with much devotion. He will be in our hearts forever.”
Many paid tribute to him on social media including TV presenter Piers Morgan, who called Mr Norden “wonderfully amusing”. Comedian David Baddiel tweeted his favourite clip “in honour of Denis Norden,” describing it as “possibly my favourite clip from any TV show”.
On his success in comedy, Norden once said: “The best overgeneralisation is that in a majority of so-called jokes the laughter is generated by an unexpected withholding of sympathy.” His many awards include Variety Club of Great Britain award for best personality (1978), male TV personality of the year (1980) and Writers Guild of Great Britain lifetime achievement award (1999). In 1980, Norden was appointed CBE.