Michael Barrymore was delivered by postal-pigeon on the May 4th 1952 to Bermondsey London , due to an error in Heaven, when a dyslexic angel called Saint Angle, the patron saint of box packers, wrote to Mrs. Bullymoo of Bermondsey, instead of Michaels’ true place of birth Belgravia!

During his formative years as a poor person, Michael was often bullied for his Belgravia accent but his mother Margaret, an Irish tinker immigrant from the silly isles accepted him calling her Nanny, because she loved him so much.

From an early age he was attracted to the stage, preferring it so much more than The Dandy or The Beano.

By chance, at the age of eight, a famous producer of the time, Sheila Bilge was passing his school when she heard an amazing voice, she screamed at the chauffer STOP THE CAR - Where is that incredible voice coming from the chauffer screeched to a halt and said er pardon me madam - I think you find the radio is on to which Sheila replied Thank you Parker, drive on.....

Michael never knew how near he was to getting his break that day, and with only six-pence, (forty quid today), he travelled to see if there was in fact life beyond Bermondsey... on the bus Michael was offered a sweet but said that Nanny told him never to take sweets from a stranger...his brother John ignored him and scoffed the bon-bon’s himself.......

The sounds and sights of London’s west end chilled Michael to the bone, this was the strangest feeling yet to occur to our young Michael – it was a numbness he had never experienced. He stood in Belgrave Square and out loud said one day all this will be mine. Everyone in the square froze to the spot. Records went on to record that on this day 14th February 1960 as the coldest day ever recorded at -24C

Michael left school aged 15. By the time he was 19, he had become four years older. He then won a scholarship to LAMDA, the breeding ground of some of the world’s finest actors, Joan Wood, Beiulgud, Novak-Ann Good, and Emma Roid. Three months into the course, he left as he did not understand a word they said.

Some 8 years later in 1983, his career was catapulted into stardom and this biography became shorter through sheer boredom

Strike it Rich, a dramatic game show which he ruined, reached viewing figures of eighteen million. His live performances sold out wherever he went. To quote a theatre owner, in Padstow Cornwall, I’ve never seen this place so full...for the first time ever, the House Full sign was used. Of the 12 in his house that night, one said ‘oooh argh ee oo R E R’ he was subsequently taken back to the home where the doctors were heard to say that there had been a remarkable improvement of his mental state following Barrymore’s performance.

The head of BBC, one time controller of LWT/Granada, Greg Dyke poached Michael from Thames in the early 90’s.

After watching one of the studio dress rehearsals, the now hugely successful Saturday night series, Greg Dyke remarked I haven’t got a clue what he is doing, but my mother likes him (which by the way is a true statement)

Barrymore’s career grew to even more dizzying heights as by the way did Greg Dykes, (he now runs a successful bakery shop chain named after him where his previous success working with donuts has been invaluable!) Those of you watching will know, that as well as being a true Star of television, Michael has been awarded, to date, 70 awards including 13 National Television awards, including one Lifetime Achievement award and two New York Best International Show.

(pictures copywrite to Adam lawrence/SLM Ltd)