Scousers who hit the big time on ‘original’ Britain’s Got Talent

Before the days of Pop Idol, X Factor and then Britain’s Got Talent, there was another show that arguably became the template for TV talent shows that we’ve come to know so well.

One of the most successful talent-spotting shows of its time, Opportunity Knocks began life on BBC Radio in 1949 before coming to our TV screens in 1956. Hosted by Hughie Green, a second-run of the show came in 1964 until 1978 airing on ITV.

Rivalling BBC’s New Faces, it was one of the most popular shows on British TV history, seeing thousands of hopefuls apply to perform on the show each week. Generations will remember tuning in to see singers, comedians, magicians and more compete, with the studio audience participating in a clap-o-meter for each act that wasn’t included in the final result.

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Sometimes referred to as the “Britain’s Got Talent of its day,” Opportunity Knocks had a similar format to the talent show we know today, including a panel of experts and a postal vote, instead of the telephone or app votes we have now. Revived by the BBC from 1987 to 1990 with its two new hosts – Bob Monkhouse and later Les Dawson – the show at the time is said to have been the first to decide a winner by the now-standard telephone vote.

Famous alumni on the show include The Chuckle Brothers, who won as The Harman Brothers, Sue Pollard, Darren Day and Bonnie Langford – but the show also has many Merseyside links, from alumni to The Beatles mentioning the show on stage, the ECHO previously reported. Here, we take a look back at a number of talented Scousers who started their careers on Opportunity Knocks. This list isn’t intended to be comprehensive, but if you feel there is someone we should have included, let us know in the comments section.

Frankie Vaughan

When the original version of Opportunity Knocks began life on BBC Radio in 1949, it gave a platform to a number of stars, such as Spike Milligan and Liverpool’s Frankie Vaughan. Born Frankie Ableson in 1928, as a child Vaughan attended Prescot Street School, Harrison-Jones School and was a member of the choir at the synagogue on Princes Road, according to Liverpool Museums.

Known as “Mr. Moonlight” after his signature song “Give Me the Moonlight, Give Me the Girl,” Vaughan was a popular singer through the 50s and 60s but is perhaps best known for his role in ‘Let’s Make Love’ starring Marilyn Monroe in 1961. He is also remembered for his involvement and helping bring peace in the troubled Glasgow area of Easterhouse.

Awarded an OBE in the 1960s, Vaughan was also an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University. In 1999, he died age 71.

Les Dennis

Born Leslie Dennis Heseltine in 1953, comedian Les Dennis was quite a TV contest regular, making his debut in Opportunity Knocks while he was still at Quarry Bank school in the 1970s. In 2021, Dennis told The Mirror how when he started out in social clubs around the northwest of England in the 1970s, fame was not the goal.

He said: “I was still trying to get my A-Levels and doing the working mens’ clubs. That was my first telly, and all my mates were having a go, saying, ‘You were rubbish!’ But that’s fine, we’re 50 years on and I’m still doing it!”

In the years to follow, he appeared on the likes of The Comedians and worked originally as a stooge to Russ Abbott before forming a successful comedy partnership with fellow impressionist, the late Dustin Gee, in The Laughter Show. Many know Les Dennis for being the host of Family Fortunes which he fronted for 15 years, appearing on Celebrity Big Brother and playing Michael Rodwell in Coronation Street.

Berni Flint

In 1977, Southport singer and former sailor Bernie was crowned winner of Opportunity Knocks for 12 weeks running – the entire series – after topping the public’s postal vote, the ECHO previously reported. Aged 24 at the time, he appeared on the show for the first time, singing a Paul Simon song.

The show’s longest ever winner, he had a top 5 hit with I Don’t Want to Put a Hold On You in April 1977. In 2003, Flint told the ECHO: “It was like winning the lottery.

“One minute I was struggling to make ends meet and suddenly wherever I went I was swamped by people calling my name, it was crazy.” In later years, Flint added comedy to his singing act, taking in cabaret theatres venues around the country and cruise ship dates.

Do you remember Opportunity Knocks? Let us know in the comments section below.

Stan Boardman

In 1976, Stan Boardman appeared on the same series of Opportunity Knocks as singer Berni Flint. Signed to Liverpool FC at the age of 16, Boardman worked pipe fitting and welding until he did his National Service as a Royal Engineer in Germany.

The ECHO previously reported how on his return, he became a popular Red Coat at Butlins, winning the national final of the Butlins talent show at the London Palladium before going on to gain his big break in TV when he took the Opportunity Knocks crown.

He later made numerous television appearances on The Comedians and Video Entertainers before headlining his own TV special Success with Stan. Also working in cabaret and theatre, Boardman had a hit in 2006 with Stan’s World Cup Song and has also appeared on Celebrity Wife Swap and a celebrity version of Coach Trip.

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Mickey Finn

Originally from Scotland Road, Mickey Finn was born Joseph Flannery in an Athol Street terrace, now long gone. The ECHO previously reported how the former St Sylvester’s pupil had a string of jobs before he was urged by his workmates to get up on stage and tell gags.

Finn became a spare time comic while he worked as a kitchen porter at Butlin’s in Bognor Regis. He shot to fame on TV’s Opportunity Knocks in 1975, where he was so successful he knocked the Hughie Green clapometer past the 100 mark.

In 2006, Finn was a guest comedy editor for the ECHO and told us of his revolutionary plans to make Liverpool the new capital of the UK, saying: “We’re already the capital of comedy and the capital of football and we’re going to be the Capital of Culture in 2008, so we may as well go the whole hog and be made the capital of the country.” In March 2016, Finn died at the age of 69.

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Freddie Starr

Born Frederick Leslie Fowell in Huyton, Freddie Starr was the lead singer of the Merseybeat pop group The Midnighters in the 1960s before coming to our screens in 1967 on Opportunity Knocks, where he appeared as part of comedy/beat act Freddie Starr and The Delmonts. The comedian’s career skyrocketed after showcasing his talent for impressions at the Royal Variety Performance in 1970, which saw him called back for an unheard-of second bow.

He became a regular television fixture over the coming decades, bringing his anarchic humour to shows including Who Do You Do, Jokers Wild and The Freddie Starr Variety Madhouse.

Later, in the 1990s, Freddie also starred in several television shows including An Audience with Freddie Starr before presenting game show, Beat the Crusher and in 2011 participated in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here. In May 2019, Starr died aged 76.

Tom O’Connor

Born in Bootle, Tom O’Connor rose to fame on TV show Opportunity Knocks which he won three times. Originally a schoolmaster, the ECHO previously reported how while he was a maths teacher at St Joan of Arc school, he developed his comedy routines.

For several years he lived a double life – teaching his pupils by day and entertaining club audiences by night. After becoming a full time comedian in the 70s, he won the show and went on to host his own shows including Tom O’ Connor, Wednesday At Eight, The Tom O’Connor Show, and The Tom O’Connor Roadshow.

He has also carved out a career as a quiz show host, including Name That Tune, and Cross Wits and in 2000 O’Connor made his television acting debut as a priest on Doctors. In July 2021, O’Connor died aged 81.

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