Legendary It’ll Be Alright On The Night host Norden dies, aged 96
TV presenter and comedy writer Denis Norden has been described as ‘the gentlest of gentlemen’ after his death at the age of 96. Ryan Wilkinson and Laura Harding report
DENIS Norden has been described as “the gentlest of gentlemen” after his death at the age of 96.
The It’ll Be Alright On The Night host died yesterday morning after spending “many weeks” at the Royal Free Hospital in north London, a statement from his children, Nick and Maggie Norden, issued to the Press Association said.
It added: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the dedicated staff and doctors who have looked after him – with much devotion.
“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.”
Norden presented the ITV bloopers show for 29 years until his retirement in 2006.
After stepping down he gave a lot of attention to raising awareness of macular disease, a degenerative eye condition from which he suffered, and became a patron of the Macular Society.
Norden met future writing partner Frank Muir in 1947 and they created Take It From Here, the radio hit broadcast by the BBC between 1948 and 1960 starring Jimmy Edwards, Joy Nichols, June Whitfield and Dick Bentley.
His small screen career kicked off in 1951 with Here’s Television, the BBC sketch show starring Sidney James and Ian Carmichael.
Norden and Muir amicably parted ways in 1964 after a series of successes and he wrote material for The Frost Report, hosted by the late Sir David Frost.
He became established as a television presenter in the 1970s, hosting Looks Familiar, the nostalgic chat show, before It’ll be Alright On The Night hit the airwaves in 1977.
Its popularity saw ITV commission spin-off Denis Norden’s Laughter File, with both running until his retirement.
After stepping down from presenting It’ll Be Alright On The Night he spent time raising awareness of macular disease, a degenerative eye condition he suffered.
He joined the Macular Society as a member in 2004 and became patron in 2009.
Cathy Yelf, chief executive of the charity, told the Press Association: “The society was privileged to have Denis as a patron.
“Denis first joined the society as a member in 2004 after he was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the biggest cause of blindness in the UK. We’re pleased we were able to offer him the support he so needed at the time.
“He was an inspiration to many of us as he coped with his deteriorating sight for many years, before it became public knowledge, devising ways to learn his lines and carry on working.
“We will always be grateful for everything he did for the society and everyone here would like to pass their condolences to his family and friends, he will be much missed.”
Comedian Keith Lemon and BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker were among the stars paying tribute.
Walker wrote on Twitter: “Sad news about the death of Lord of the Clipboard Denis Norden.
“In the age of youtube and social media it’s hard to explain how exciting it was to watch ‘It’ll Be Alright On The Night’.”
Lemon, whose real name is Leigh Francis, shared a picture of the host on Instagram, writing: “Sad news about Denis Norden RIP.”
Quizmania host Greg Scott said: “Just heard about Denis Norden. The gentlest of gentlemen. The kindest soul. The loveliest human being.
“Met and worked with him on Countdown a number of times and was always an utter joy to be around. A very sad start to the day. Sleep well, Sir.”
Writer Richard Littler said: “My whole family loved It’ll Be Alright on the Night when I was growing up.
“In addition to his many years as a comedy writer, Denis Norden also wrote/narrated A Child’s Guide to Blowing Up a Motor Car about the making of Thunderball.”
Norden presented the ITV bloopers show for 29 years until his retirement in 2006.