Ex-TV presenter Michael Aspel hosts Max Miller annual lunch
Michael Aspel OBE, the former TV newsreader and presenter, hosted The Max Miller Appreciation Society’s annual lunch and convention, at which Jimmy Cricket provided the main entertainment.
Aspel, who turns 90 in January, is a society patron. He is pictured above, fourth from the left.
During an illustrious broadcasting career, he presented a host of popular television shows.
They included Crackerjack, Give Us a Clue, This is Your Life and Antiques Roadshow.
The annual lunch took place at The Old Ship Hotel in Brighton on Sunday (20 November).
Famous funnyman Jimmy entertained the guests with his inimitable brand of clean comedy.
He said afterwards on social media that it had been a “wonderful afternoon” for the society.
Max Miller, born Thomas Henry Sargent in 1894, was an English comedian often considered the greatest stand-up of his generation.
His wife, Kathleen, chose the stage name after apparently seeing it in a press notice.
He became known as the Cheeky Chappie and went on to tell jokes, dance, sing and write songs.
Max also starred in 14 feature films and frequently appeared on radio.
He volunteered for the Army in the First World War and started a troupe concert party during his time in the Forces.
Upon leaving the Army, he took up work as a light comedian, dancer and singer.
Aims and ambitions
Max toured extensively, appearing in shows and, by the early 1930s, had reached top billing in large music halls, including the London Palladium.
He made his last recording in January 1963 and died four months later at the age of 68.
A bronze statue of Max stands in the Pavilion Gardens in Brighton, where he was born and died.
The Max Miller Appreciation Society was established in January 1999 in Brighton to celebrate the Cheeky Chappie.
Over the years, it has recruited more than 1,000 members worldwide.
Past president Roy Hudd OBE helped greatly in furthering the aims and ambitions of the Society, as did the late Sir Ken Dodd (past patron).
The current president is John Fisher, the author and TV producer.
He wrote and produced, among many other programmes, the series Heroes of Comedy, an episode of which featured Max Miller.
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Jimmy Cricket is the star performer at The Max Miller Appreciation Society’s annual lunch and convention at the weekend.