Michael Crawford

NanKate It was Timothy Birdsall. Such a funny, talented boy. I remember travelling to college in tears the day we heard he'd died. He's on a very short list of people I've always remembered. Have you read the book about his childhood with his brother? I can't remember the title, something about butterflies. It's a lovely book, although it has some harrowing stories of his father's time as a doctor during the blitz.

We have also seen Paul Nicholas and Brian Conley as Barnum - both good but not a patch on Michael Crawford.

I saw him in Phantom with Sarah Brightman in the 1980s and he was amazing with a great voice. Didn't Paul Daniels arrange the magical effects in that show? It was memorable from start to finish and Michael is a real star.

That takes me back. Loved TWTWTW I had a crush on the young man who was an artist on the show called Timothy Bird I think, he sadly died young. I too saw MC in Barnum, just wonderful.

Thank you for bringing back such happy memories Kitty.

I remember that he was the artistic coach for Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. What a talented man he is / was.

I fear I wasn't quite so young kitty

Michael Crawford is a very talented man. I agree with Welshwife he was the best Phantom. I didn't see Barnum but understand it was a fantastic show.

deedaa, you are right. The programme was 'Not so much a programme, more a way of life'. My excuse for getting it wrong is that I was very, very young at the time!

I wouldn’t have recognised him at first sight but as soon as he spoke I did, I think he looks good for 76 perhaps because he’s kept a lovely head of hair
He does seem a very gentle and kindly man and admitted to having lost confidence as he got older ( gave me some hope)
I thought he had gone into singing after comedy but it’s quite the other way round he came across as a Very nice genuine man

Sorry kitty I hadn't read your's. I'm sure it was a later show though, I'm sure John Bird was in it and perhaps John Fortune.

Anyone remember him on the satire show that came after That Was The Week That Was? He was very young and I think the character was called Byron. Every sentence began "What it is ....."

I didn’t recognise him till they said who it was.
Our dear GS has watched all the series of Some mothers do 'ave 'em .
We are taking him to see Joe Pasquale in the role at Southend in July.

Saw him in Barnum many years ago, he was amazing

I remember him as the tearaway in TWTWTW and as a fabulous Barnum.

Heck! When I saw the thread title I thought he was dead

Glad he's still with us

I still remember Frank Spencer, and he did his own stunts in that as well.

He was a good singer too - I thought he was the best Phantom.