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Sir Harry Secombe, the Swansea Goon

Sir Harry Secombe

Singer / Comedian / Presenter

Harry Donald Secombe was born in St Thomas, Swansea, on 8 September 1921 and went to Dynevor School. He joined the Territorial Army in 1938 and served with the Royal Artillery in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, where he first met Spike Milligan.

From 1951 he played Neddie Seagoon in The Goon Show alongside Milligan and Peter Sellers, the radio comedy that ran until 1960 and changed British humour. He was also a fine tenor, and in 1963 he starred as Mr Pickwick in the musical Pickwick, whose song If I Ruled the World became his signature tune and earned him a Tony nomination on Broadway.

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Swansea's Goon and golden-voiced tenor, from Neddie Seagoon to Pickwick, Oliver! and Highway.

His biggest hit single, This Is My Song, reached number two in 1967, and the following year he played Mr Bumble in the film Oliver!. He hosted his own BBC variety series and later became a much-loved presenter of religious programmes including Highway and Songs of Praise. He was appointed CBE in 1963 and knighted in 1981, and died in Guildford on 11 April 2001.

Career Highlights

  • 1951-1960 - Neddie Seagoon in The Goon Show
  • 1967 - This Is My Song reached number two in the UK
  • 1981 - Knighted for services to entertainment
ℹ️ Born 8 September 1921 in St Thomas, Swansea, Wales.
ℹ️ Died 11 April 2001 in Guildford, Surrey, aged 79.

Born in the St Thomas district of Swansea and educated at Dynevor School; a lifelong Welsh speaker and proud Swansea man.

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