Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 20150730 | In this revised repeat, originally broadcast in 2011, Radio 2 rembembers Irish singer and TV entertainer Val Doonican, who died earlier this month, aged 88. Val Doonican's gentle baritone voice and Irish humour instantly endeared him to the British public - at its height, 20 million viewers tuned in to watch The Val Doonican Show. Patrick Kielty goes in search of the secret of his enduring success, tracing Val's journey from the days when he arranged songs for his siblings in his Waterford bedroom, to his arrival as the king of Saturday night TV. Friends and colleagues, including Terry Wogan and Ronnie Corbett, ponder the popularity of Val's showbiz trademarks, props and the comic Irish songs for which he's most remembered. Gaudy jumpers and Paddy McGinty's Goat aside, in-depth interviews with Val Doonican allow room for reflection on a career at the top of the TV industry. Other contributors include Lynn Doonican, Ronnie Corbett, Yvonne Littlewood, Terry Wogan, Roger Richards, Jim Moir, John Williams and John Ammonds. Music and television archive from his earliest musical influences; to his musical collaborations with stars like Rosemary Clooney, John Williams and Crystal Gayle; also reveal a man with considerable musical talent and a unerring professionalism. Patrick Kielty presents the Val Doonican story. Patrick Kielty presents the story of Val Doonican | |
| 01 | 20110103 | Val Doonican's gentle baritone voice and Irish humour instantly endeared him to the British public - at its height, 20 million viewers tuned in to watch The Val Doonican Show. Patrick Kielty goes in search of the secret of his enduring success, tracing Val's journey from the days when he arranged songs for his siblings in his Waterford bedroom, to his arrival as the king of Saturday night TV. Friends and colleagues, including Terry Wogan and Ronnie Corbett, ponder the popularity of Val's showbiz trademarks, props and the comic Irish songs for which he's most remembered. Gaudy jumpers and Paddy McGinty's Goat aside, new in-depth interviews with Val Doonican allow room for reflection on a career at the top of the TV industry. Other contributors include Lynn Doonican, Ronnie Corbett, Yvonne Littlewood, Terry Wogan, Roger Richards, Jim Moir, John Williams and John Ammonds. Music and television archive from his earliest musical influences; to his musical collaborations with stars like Rosemary Clooney, John Williams and Crystal Gayle; also reveal a man with considerable musical talent and a unerring professionalism. Programme one takes us back to a poor but happy childhood in Waterford, formative years spent touring dance halls and singing about sausages, before a move across the Irish sea and onto the stage at the London Palladium and the top of the charts with Walk Tall. Patrick Kielty presents part one of the Val Doonican Story. Patrick Kielty presents the story of Val Doonican |
| 02 | 20110110 | Patrick Kielty continues the Val Doonican Story, picking up the tale as our Irish charmer embarks upon a career in television. He considers the Val Doonican appeal with music and comedy archive, and new interviews from producers and entertainers, who've worked with Val down the years. Reflecting on the longevity of his career, Val discusses his decision to stop and explains how he managed to keep his feet on the ground. Contributors include Terry Wogan, Ronnie Corbett, Lynn Doonican, Yvonne Littlewood, Terry Wogan, Roger Richards, Jim Moir, John Williams and John Ammonds. Music and television archive from his earliest musical influences; to his musical collaborations with stars like Rosemary Clooney, John Williams and Crystal Gayle; also reveal a man with considerable musical talent and an unerring professionalism. Patrick Kielty presents the second part of the Val Doonican Story. Patrick Kielty presents the story of Val Doonican |