Denis Norden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Denis Norden
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| Born |
Denis Moss Cohen
6 February 1922 Hackney, London, England
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| Died | 19 September 2018 (aged 96) Hampstead, London, England
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1941–2006 |
| Employer | ITV |
| Spouse(s) |
Avril Rosen
(m. 1943; |
| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Unit | Wireless operator, Signals unit |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
Denis Mostyn Norden (born Denis Moss Cohen; 6 February 1922 – 19 September 2018) was a well-known English comedy writer and TV presenter. He started his career working in cinemas. During the Second World War, he began writing scripts.
From 1948 to 1959, he wrote the BBC Radio comedy show Take It from Here with Frank Muir. Muir and Norden worked together for over 50 years. They often appeared on radio shows like My Word! and My Music. Denis Norden also wrote scripts for Hollywood movies. For many years, he presented TV shows on ITV. These included the quiz show Looks Familiar and blooper shows like It'll be Alright on the Night.
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Early Life and Start in Comedy
Denis Norden was born Denis Moss Cohen in Hackney, London. His family was Jewish. His father, George Cohen, was a tailor. His mother, Ginny, was from Poland. When Denis was a child, his family changed their last name to Norden.
He went to Craven Park Elementary School. Then he attended the City of London School. After school, he worked as a stagehand. By age 17, he managed a cinema in Watford. He also put on variety shows there.
Denis Norden in World War II
During the Second World War, Denis joined the Royal Air Force. He worked as a wireless operator in a signals unit. His writing career began in the Royal Air Force. He wrote for shows put on by the troops.
In 1945, Denis and other performers, Eric Sykes and Ron Rich, were looking for stage lights. They went to a nearby prison camp. This camp was the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. It had just been freed by the Allies. Norden, Sykes, and Rich collected food from their friends. They gave it to the hungry people in the camp.
Writing with Frank Muir
After the war, Norden wrote for comedian Dick Bentley. In 1947, he met Frank Muir. They were brought together by producer Ted Kavanagh. Muir and Norden's first project was a radio show called Take it from Here!. They wrote this show from 1948 to 1959.
They wrote many successful radio and TV scripts. These included Whack-O! (1956–1960). They also wrote three series of Faces of Jim (1961–1963). These shows starred Jimmy Edwards. They also wrote the funny sketch Balham, Gateway to the South. This sketch was later performed by Peter Sellers.
In the early 1960s, Muir and Norden wrote the sitcom Brothers in Law. This show featured Richard Briers. They also wrote its spin-off, Mr Justice Duncannon.
After the Writing Partnership
In 1964, their writing partnership ended. Frank Muir started working in management at the BBC. Denis Norden had always loved Hollywood. So, he wrote scripts for several films. These included Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell! and The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom.
Even though they no longer wrote together, Muir and Norden still appeared on panel shows. They were on My Word! (1956–1990) and My Music (1966–1993). These shows were first on radio, then on TV.
In 1965, Norden wrote and narrated a short film. It was made by the James Bond producers and the Ford Motor Company. The film was called A Child's Guide to Blowing up a Motor Car. It showed how an exploding car stunt was filmed for Thunderball. Norden took a young relative to the film set. They met many stars and crew members. This film was lost for many years. It is now available on the Thunderball DVD.
Becoming an ITV Presenter
Denis Norden became very well known for his ITV shows. These included Looks Familiar, It'll Be Alright on the Night, and Laughter File.
It'll Be Alright on the Night
He hosted It'll Be Alright on the Night from 1977 until 2006. This show featured funny mistakes and out-takes from films and TV. Norden would link these clips with his own comments. Some of the early material was used on Dick Clark's "Bloopers" specials in the US.
In the mid-1980s, the show started using home video clips. As more people owned camcorders, these clips became very popular. This led to the long-running show You've Been Framed! (1990–).
Laughter File
Laughter File first aired in 1991. This show featured fake adverts, real foreign adverts, and practical jokes. It also showed live TV mistakes and other "oddities." Norden said these items "tickled our fancies." These were things found while looking for material for It'll Be Alright on the Night but didn't quite fit that show.
Retirement and Later Life
Denis Norden announced his retirement on 21 April 2006. He was 84 years old. He was suffering from macular degeneration. This eye condition made it hard for him to read the autocue.
A special farewell show was filmed on 14 May 2006. It was called All the Best from Denis Norden. It looked back at his shows over the years. It was shown on 2 January 2007. At the end of the show, the audience gave Norden a standing ovation. He placed his famous clipboard on his desk as the credits rolled. Griff Rhys Jones and later David Walliams took over It'll Be Alright on the Night.
For many years, Norden did not want to write his autobiography. He felt that Frank Muir's book had already covered much of his life. However, in October 2008, he published a book. It was called Clips from a Life. It contained short stories about his life.
He still made occasional TV and radio appearances. He talked about his life and book on The One Show in 2008. He also appeared in a documentary called Der Sommer 1939 in 2009. In 2011, he was part of the BBC documentary The Secret Life of Bob Monkhouse.
Personal Life
Denis Norden married Avril in 1943. They had two children. Their son, Nick, became an architect. Their daughter, Maggie, became a radio personality. She also taught at the London College of Fashion. Maggie was a presenter on London's Capital Radio.
Denis Norden was affected by macular degeneration. In 2009, he became a patron of The Macular Society. He joined Peter Sallis and Eric Sykes in supporting this charity. He had been a member since 2004.
Death
Denis Norden passed away at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London. He died on 19 September 2018, at the age of 96. This was more than two months after his wife's death.
