Hubert Gregg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hubert Gregg
Born	(1914-07-19)19 July 1914 London, England
Died	29 March 2004(2004-03-29) (aged 89) Eastbourne, East Sussex, England
Occupation	Broadcaster, writer, actor
Spouse(s)	Zoe Gail ​ ​ (m. 1943; div. 1950)​ Pat Kirkwood ​ ​ (m. 1956; div. 1979)​ Carmel Lytton ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	3, including Stacy Jefferson

Hubert Robert Harry Gregg (born July 19, 1914 – died March 29, 2004) was a talented British person who did many things! He was a broadcaster, writer, and actor. Later in his life, many people knew him from his popular radio shows on BBC Radio 2, called A Square Deal and Thanks for the Memory. He also wrote books, directed plays for the theatre, and even wrote famous songs.

Early Life and Career

Hubert Gregg was born in Islington, a part of north London. He went to St Dunstan's College and then studied acting at the Webber Douglas School.

In 1934 and 1935, Hubert worked as an announcer for the BBC Empire Service. This was a radio service that broadcast to other countries. At the same time, he also performed in different plays with a group called a repertory theatre company. He even acted on Broadway in New York City. This was in a play called French Without Tears from 1937 to 1938.

World War II and Famous Songs

When the Second World War began, Hubert Gregg joined the army. He served with the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1939. The next year, he became an officer in the 60th Rifles.

Hubert spoke German very well. Because of this, he worked for the BBC's German service. He was so good that a German official, Joseph Goebbels, thought he must be a German who had betrayed his country! Hubert left the army in 1943 because of an injury.

He wrote more than 200 songs during his life. One of his most famous wartime songs was "I'm Going To Get Lit Up When The Lights Go up in London." He wrote it in 1940. His first wife, Zoe Gail, sang it in a show in 1943. This song was even broadcast in 1944 as a secret message. It told the French Resistance that the invasion of Europe was about to happen.

In 1944, while on leave, Hubert saw German V1 flying bombs flying over London. This inspired him to write his most well-known song, "Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner." He wrote it in just 20 minutes! This song became a big hit in 1947 and is still a popular song about London. He also wrote music for musicals like The Love Racket (1943) and Sweet And Low (1944).

After the War

After the war ended, Hubert continued his career. He acted in a play called Western Wind in 1949. He also became a director for stage plays written by the famous mystery writer Agatha Christie. He directed The Hollow in 1951. He also directed The Mousetrap for seven years, starting in 1953. This play is still running today! Hubert wrote a book about his time directing The Mousetrap in 1980. It was called Agatha Christie and All That Mousetrap.

Hubert Gregg was a popular voice on the radio. He hosted and performed in many radio shows. He presented A Square Deal for seven years. He also hosted Thanks for the Memory for more than 30 years! Besides radio, he acted in films and on television. He also wrote light comedies and two novels.

Family Life and Later Years

Hubert Gregg was married three times. His first wife was Zoe Gail, a musical comedy star. They married in 1943 and had a daughter named Stacey Gregg, who became an actress and writer. They divorced in 1950.

In 1956, he married actress and singer Pat Kirkwood. They even starred together in a musical comedy called Chrysanthemum in 1958. They divorced in 1979.

His third marriage was to Carmel Lytton in 1980. They had a son and a daughter together.

Hubert Gregg passed away on March 29, 2004, in Eastbourne, East Sussex. He was 89 years old.

Filmography and Works

Hubert Gregg had a long career in entertainment. Here are some of the films he acted in, wrote for, or wrote songs for: