Pam Ayres facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pam Ayres
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Ayres in 2022
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| Born | Pamela Ayres 14 March 1947 Stanford in the Vale, Berkshire, England |
| Occupation | Poet, songwriter, presenter of radio and television programmes |
| Genre | Comic verse |
| Spouse |
Dudley Russell
(m. 1982) |
| Children | 2 |
Pam Ayres is a famous British poet, comedian, and songwriter. She also presents radio and TV shows. Born on March 14, 1947, she became well-known after appearing on the TV talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1975. This led to many TV and radio appearances, her own stage shows, and even performing for Queen Elizabeth II.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Pam Ayres was born in Stanford in the Vale, England, on March 14, 1947. She was the youngest of six children. Her father worked for the Southern Electricity Board for 44 years. Pam grew up in a small country home.
Starting Her Career Path
After leaving school at 15, Pam worked for the Civil Service. She then joined the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF). There, she trained as a Plotter Air Photographer. While in the WRAF, she passed exams in English language and literature. This is when she started her journey as an entertainer.
After leaving the WRAF, Pam had several jobs. She worked at Smiths Industries for six years. During this time, she began performing at a local folk club. This led to an invitation to read her poems on BBC Radio Oxford in 1974. Her poem The Battery Hen was later played on a national BBC Radio 4 show. This helped her get a six-month contract with Radio Oxford. In February 1976, she left her job to become a full-time poet.
Inspiration for Writing
Pam Ayres has often said she admires the musician Bob Dylan. However, she has stated that he was not her main inspiration for writing poetry. In a 2006 interview, she mentioned that at age twelve, she enjoyed writing funny versions of popular songs by Lonnie Donegan.
Pam Ayres' Career Highlights
In 1975, Pam Ayres appeared on the TV talent show Opportunity Knocks. This show helped her become very famous. After that, she was invited to appear on many different TV and radio shows.
Poetry and Performances
Pam Ayres has published several books of poems. Her poems are known for their simple style. They often talk about everyday life. Her poem "Oh, I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth" was voted one of the top 100 favorite comic poems in a BBC poll. She was also one of the best-selling poets in Britain in 1998 and 1999.
Pam has toured with her own one-woman stage show. She has performed her show for the Queen.
Radio and TV Appearances
Since 1996, Pam Ayres has been a regular on BBC Radio. She hosted a music and chat show on BBC Radio 2 from 1996 to 1999. She also had a show called Pam Ayres' Open Road. In this show, she traveled around the UK and interviewed people.
More recently, Pam has appeared on BBC Radio 4. She has been on shows like Just a Minute and That Reminds Me. She also had her own radio show, Ayres on the Air, which featured her poetry and sketches. The latest series of this show was broadcast in 2018.
In 2007, Pam acted in a radio comedy show called Potting On for Radio 4. She has also appeared on the TV game show Countdown in Dictionary Corner since 2002. In 2009, she made her first appearance on the BBC TV programme, QI.
Books and Tours
Pam Ayres published her autobiography, The Necessary Aptitude: A Memoir, in 2011. This book tells the story of her life. It covers her childhood, her time in the Women's Royal Air Force, and how she became famous. The title refers to times she was told she "did not have the necessary aptitude" for things.
In 2013, she released a new book of poems called You Made me Late Again!. In 2011, she mentioned she was about to go on her 14th tour of Australia.
Recent TV Series
In September 2021, Pam Ayres' TV series The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres started on Channel 5. Each episode features a special guest. At the end, Pam recites a short poem about her adventures. In 2022, the show was renamed The Cotswolds and Beyond with Pam Ayres. This new series allowed Pam to visit more places. She visited Pershore with Toyah Willcox and went to the Henley Regatta with Steve Redgrave. She also visited the Dean Forest Railway and the gardens at Highgrove, where she met the then Prince of Wales.
Pam regularly performs her poetry at the Glastonbury Festival. She performed there most recently in 2024.
Influence on Other Artists
The poet John Cooper Clarke has said that Pam Ayres' early success on Opportunity Knocks greatly influenced his own career.
Personal Life
Pam Ayres is married to Dudley Russell, who is a theatre producer. They have two sons, William and James. They live in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. They keep rare types of cattle, as well as sheep, pigs, chickens, and guinea fowl. Pam enjoys gardening and keeping bees. She supports several animal welfare charities.
Pam Ayres has been a guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs twice, in 1979 and 2018. On this show, guests choose songs, a book, and a luxury item they would want if stranded on a desert island.
In 2004, Pam Ayres was given the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This award was for her contributions to literature and entertainment.
