Glen Michael, one of STV’s most recognisable and beloved entertainers who hosted shows from the 1960s until the 1990s, has died.
He passed away peacefully at home in South Ayrshire. He was 99 years old.
The English variety star and actor became a household name in Scotland with generations of children growing up watching his Cartoon Cavalcade show on STV.
STV NewsMichael was born Cecil Edward Buckland on May 16, 1926, in Paignton, Devon.
His parents Mabel and Arthur Buckland named him after his uncle who died in the First World War during a training exercise as a pilot.
Early in his showbusiness career, he was advised to change his name and took inspiration from one of his heroes – American big band leader Glenn Miller.
Early life
Michael’s family say he had an itinerant childhood, as his father regularly changed jobs when he got restless or fell out with his employers.
His father, Arthur, was a butler, and his mother, Mabel, was a housekeeper. Both worked for several well-to-do families.
One of Michael’s earliest memories was being bundled out of one of his father’s employers’ houses late at night, leaving the unsuspecting family with no butler or housekeeper to make and serve breakfast when they arose the next day. Such had been his father’s ire with his employer.
Another early memory was as the five-year-old playmate of the boy who would grow up to become the late Queen Elizabeth’s horse racing manager, Lord Porchester, who would become the 7th Earl of Carnarvon.
Young Glen simply knew him as “Porchey” as the pair played in the grounds of Highclere, more commonly known today as the setting for Downton Abbey.
His mother was horrified when she discovered the two young boys had become firm friends, as in those days “upstairs and downstairs” didn’t fraternise.
The family suffered tragedy when Michael’s older brother, Gerald, died from meningitis at the age of 13.
Fearing for their youngest son’s health, Michael’s distraught parents had him confined to his bedroom.
It was only when he looked out of his window to see plumed horses drawing a funeral carriage in front of the family home that he had the first inkling that something was wrong. Michael had idolised his older brother and said the sight was one he had never forgotten.
There were times the family struggled. Michael recalled being freezing cold as a 12-year-old when he had to sleep under a hedge while being hugged by his mother, as they had nowhere to go.
He also had vivid memories of being placed in a workhouse for a time by his parents, as they found they couldn’t care for him.
He said he was befriended by a Russian man who took him under his wing and kept him safe until his parents, then earning money again, came to collect him.
Fame and fortune
In his early teens, Michael made for London to seek fame and fortune with £14 and ten shillings in his pocket.
Seeing the Billy Cotton Band Show – a Sunday lunchtime radio variety programme – in Eastbourne had given him the dream of being a performer.
He was also inspired by trips to the pictures.
He impersonated film stars of the day, such as Edward G Robinson and James Stewart, and wrote a seven-minute act with gags picked up from stories he had heard.
The highlight of his act was an impersonation of Sir Winston Churchill.
After being conscripted to the RAF, he joined Ralph Reader’s Gang Shows – variety entertainment presented by members of the Scouting movement.
Michael ended up in one of the ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) units in 1944, travelling around camps entertaining the forces.
It was during this time that he met his late wife, Beryl Ratcliffe.
Known as Miss Versatility, Beryl was an all-round entertainer who had worked with the late great Alistair Sim.
In 1944, Glen and Beryl entertained troops who, the following morning, left base to fight the Battle of Arnhem.
After the war, they married in April 1947. The pair were together for nearly 60 years.
They had a daughter Yonnie, and eight years later, they welcomed their son Christopher.
As Michael’s career took off, he landed a film contract with Ealing Studios which saw him appear in 1950’s BAFTA-winning crime thriller The Blue Lamp.
Stage and screen work first brought him to Scotland in the early 1950s to work with comedian Jack Milroy.
A six-week stint turned into 13 years, with Michael joining Milroy touring theatres all over Scotland.
Working with Milroy saw him star in one of STV’s earliest comedy hits – Francie and Josie.
Opposite Milroy and Rikki Fulton, Michael played a different character in every episode.
Cartoon Cavalcade
STV NewsIn 1966, Michael was invited to audition for a children’s TV programme by writer Jimmy McNair.
In preparation, Michael he learnt a children’s story off by heart.
But his audition at STV did not go as planned. In a tiny studio, he attempted to tell the tale.
But he panicked, perspiring and fumbling through it.
Michael had made straight for the pub to drown his sorrows when McNair came through the door saying they’d been searching all over for him.
Far from failing the audition, STV wanted to offer Michael a contract.
In an instant, Glen Michael’s Cartoon Cavalcade was born.
Over the course of four decades, it became an institution for generations of Scots, combining cartoons with sketches, jokes and viewers’ birthdays.
It even featured an early appearance by Ultravox star Midge Ure, performing with his then-group Slick.
As iconic as the programme, the theme tune became one of the most-whistled melodies across the Central Belt.
His trusty pets Rusty and Rudi were the best-known dogs in Scotland.
In an era when television was king, a lucky few had their birthdays announced during the show.
Staff at Cowcaddens sorted through the mountains of mail, assisted by Michael’s wife Beryl and children Yonnie and Christopher at their then-home in Prestwick.
Paladin the lamp was introduced as a comedy sidekick, later joined by Totty the robot. Both were voiced by Michael, who wrote and performed the entire programme.
In 1975, Cavalcade won Scottish ITV Programme of the Year.
In 1991, the show received a commendation in the Queen Mother’s 80th Birthday Awards presented by Princess Margaret.
Cavalcade made Michael one of Scotland’s most well-known stars.
He was one of the original presenters on Radio Clyde and toured the country entertaining children in person in town halls and theatres with a live version of Cavalcade.
He worked with many big names in show business during his long career on stage, radio and TV, including Stanley Baxter, Jimmy Logan, Billy Connolly, Alan Cumming, Phil McCall, Duncan McCrae, Una McLean, Craig Ferguson and Johnnie Beattie.
As TV trends changed, Cavalcade came to an end for Scottish viewers in December 1992.
But, Michael’s legendary status as a star from television’s golden age lives on.
The comedian, entertainer, actor, writer and presenter will never be forgotten by millions of Scots, who grew up watching him on STV.
Michael was a friendly face who popped into their home every week, bringing them a cavalcade of entertainment.
STV NewsA month before his death, his family said Michael was still driving and had just completed a video as ambassador for Erskine supporting the service veterans charity. He also supported AgeUK with its charitable work.
Michael is survived by his children Yonnie McInnes and Christopher Buckland, son-in-law Colin, daughter-in-law Anne, grandson Grant, his wife Christi, grandson Fraser McInnes, grandson Mark, his wife Karyn Buckland, as well as great-granddaughters Katie and Victoria (Tori) McInnes.
Funeral plans are still to be decided.
Michael’s family wished to thank all the medical professionals for his care and especially his at home carers.
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