Happy Birthday, Brucie!

The importance of light entertainment at time of war

Cannot be overstated. Historians say blandly—

As if it doesn't need saying at all—that Churchill saw

Us through the last lot. No! It was Tommy Handley.

It’s That Man Again, known as ITMA,

Sustained morale on the home front much more

Crucially than Churchill, with his inextinguishable cigar

And interminable speeches.  What a bore!

“I don’t mind if I do”, purred Jack Train’s amusing Colonel                     Chinstrap,

And made us smile as the bombs dropped around us.

“I go, I come back”, said Horace Percival’s Ali Oop—

Using another catchphrase that continues to astound us.

Ali, thou shouldst be living at this hour!

Where art thou, Mrs. Mopp? Where art thou, Funf?

We won’t forget the diver, sir, though cowards cower,

Nor that harassed civil servant up to his ears in bumf.

Bruce Forsyth is also famous for his catchphrases. Who can                     forget

“Nice to see you; to see you, nice”, or “Just for a lark”?

His “Give us a twirl!” as the lovely Anthea tripped on to the set,

Gave solace and inspiration to those serving in Iraq.