Hughie Green facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hughie Green
Green presenting the first episode of Double Your Money, 1955
Born	Hugh Hughes Green (1920-02-02)2 February 1920 Marylebone, London, England
Died	3 May 1997(1997-05-03) (aged 77) Chelsea, London, England
Resting place	Golders Green Crematorium, London
Nationality	British
Education	Arnold House School
Occupation	Radio and television presenter, game show host, actor
Years active	1943–1978
Known for	Double Your Money Opportunity Knocks
Spouse(s)	Claire Wilson ​ ​ (m. 1942; div. 1975)​
Children	4, including Paula Yates
Relatives	Peaches Geldof (granddaughter) Pixie Geldof (granddaughter)

Hugh Hughes Green (born 2 February 1920 – died 3 May 1997) was a famous English radio and television presenter. He was also a game show host and an actor. He became well-known for hosting popular TV shows like Double Your Money and Opportunity Knocks.

Early Life and Family

Hughie Green was born in Marylebone, London. His father, Hugh Aitchison Green, was from Glasgow, Scotland. He was a former officer in the British Army. His mother, Violet Elenore, was from Surrey, England.

The family had a home in Meopham, Kent. Hughie went to Arnold House School, a boys' prep school in London.

Hughie Green's Career

Starting as a Child Performer

When Hughie was young, his father encouraged him to perform. By the age of 14, Hughie Green had his own show on BBC Radio. He also created a concert group with only children, called "Hughie Green and his Gang."

After touring Canada, Hughie appeared in his first film, Midshipman Easy, in 1935. He then went to Hollywood and was in the film Tom Brown's School Days.

Serving in World War II

During the Second World War, Hughie Green served as a pilot. He flew for the Royal Canadian Air Force. His job was to fly aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean for RAF Ferry Command.

In 1942, he married Claire Wilson in Montreal. After the war, he worked in the aircraft industry. He was a pilot who transported planes and also did stunt flying. In 1947, he moved back to London.

Becoming a Radio Presenter

In 1949, Green created a talent show called Opportunity Knocks. BBC Radio decided to broadcast it. However, the show only lasted for one series. Some people thought it was "too American" for British audiences.

After the show was cancelled, Green had some legal issues. He faced financial difficulties and was declared bankrupt for a period.

Achieving Mainstream Popularity

Hughie Green became very famous in 1955. This was when he started hosting the ITV quiz show Double Your Money. This show had actually started earlier on Radio Luxembourg.

Green introduced Monica Rose as his co-host on the show. She was a lively 15-year-old who had won money on the show. Green invited her back to be a hostess.

On 8 November 1966, Hughie Green hosted Double Your Money from Moscow. The top prize was a television set, as money was not allowed as a prize there.

Green's most successful show was his talent show, Opportunity Knocks. It began as a touring radio show across the UK. Famous singers like Frankie Vaughan were discovered on the show.

When Opportunity Knocks moved to television in 1956 and then again from 1964, it helped start the careers of many stars. These included Les Dawson, Lena Zavaroni, Pam Ayres, and Mary Hopkin. Hughie Green had a pilot's licence. He would fly the judges to different audition places all over Britain in his small Cessna plane.

His other game show, The Sky's the Limit, was not as successful. It was eventually cancelled due to low ratings.

Opportunity Knocks was very popular, with up to 18 million viewers each week. However, Green started to share his political views on the show. He was known for his right-wing politics. In 1974, he told the country to 'wake up!' at the end of the year. In 1976, he recited a speech about the state of the United Kingdom. He then had a choir sing "Stand Up and Be Counted."

Because of his political comments, the TV company Thames Television ended the show in March 1978. This happened even though the show still had high ratings. Opportunity Knocks was replaced by a comedy show called The Kenny Everett Video Show.

After his shows ended in the UK, Green tried to present similar versions of Opportunity Knocks in Ireland, Australia, and the Soviet Union.

Hughie Green's Style

Hughie Green was often recognized for his constant smile and Canadian accent. His famous catchphrase was "I mean that most sincerely." This phrase was so well-known that impressionists like Mike Yarwood would use it when pretending to be Green. Green himself said he came up with the catchphrase.

During Double Your Money, Green had a friendly rivalry with another quiz show host, Michael Miles. Miles hosted Take Your Pick. They would sometimes playfully tease each other on their shows.

Personal Life and Family

Hughie Green married Claire Wilson in 1942. They had two children, a son named Christopher Green and a daughter named Linda Plentl. The family lived in London.

Hughie and Claire separated in 1961 and later divorced in 1975.

Hughie Green also had another daughter, the TV presenter Paula Yates. Through his daughter Linda, he had four granddaughters: Delia, Christina, Stephanie, and Marina. Through his daughter Paula, he had four other granddaughters: Fifi, Peaches, Pixie Geldof, and Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence.

Later Life and Death

In 1983, Hughie Green had a legal case against the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation. He claimed their version of Opportunity Knocks copied his show. He lost the case and had to pay a large legal bill.

Green spent his later years away from the public eye. He was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 1993. The cancer later spread to his lungs. Hughie Green passed away in hospital on 3 May 1997.

His son Christopher flew from Canada to be with him. A memorial plaque for Hughie Green is at Golders Green Crematorium. It says: "You were the star that made opportunity knock. You will never be forgotten."

Media Coverage After His Death

After his daughter Paula Yates died in 2000, his son Christopher Green wrote a book about their lives. It was called Hughie and Paula: The Tangled Lives of Hughie Green and Paula Yates.

On 2 April 2008, a TV film about Hughie Green's life was shown on BBC Four. The film was called Hughie Green, Most Sincerely. Trevor Eve played Hughie Green in the movie.

Film Roles

Hughie Green also appeared in several films throughout his career.

Images for kids

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  Memorial plaque to Hughie Green, Golders Green Crematorium