Who was a big TV star when you were growing up that is less relevant now?

[learthebear]

Alan Hansen

Russ Abbot. I loved his TV shows.

Jim Davison (Davidson?) I can’t remember but he did that show with a guy, something Virgo? I remember it being like prime time Saturday telly. My friend absolutely loved him.

Bobby Davro

I think you mean 'Big Break' - a snooker-themed game show with John Virgo and different guest snooker players who would play shots on behalf of the contestants - if the contestants answered questions correctly, the snooker player would get extra time at the table and so on.

Harry Enfield 😊

Oh and Grace Jones

Not when I was growing up, more in my young adulthood but there was a time when Diarmud Gavin was on every garden programme going. He was utterly ubiquitous.

Then suddenly he vanished. I can only think he pissed someone off really badly.

Jimmy Saville, Rolf Harris, Philip Schofield...

Those that have mentioned Russ Abbott > I'm not sure he's particularly relevant to this thread (because was he ever a big tv star?) but wanted to add that in my experience he's a lovely man. It would be good if people like him had more fame than others, eg Les Dennis's ex-wife.

Russ Abbot was big in the 80s - he had a prime time show, 'Russ Abbot's Madhouse' and a top 10 hit 'Atmosphere'.

He was also in an advert where he was fishing in a boat and lowered a Des O'Connor record into the river, causing the fish to jump out into his net. Then there was a follow-up where Des O'Connor did similar with Russ's album 😃

Happy days. 'Atmosphere, I love a party with a happy atmosphere, so let me take you there, and we'll soon be dancing in the cool night air ...'

Those were the days when comics did a "straight" song as well. See also Mike "and this is me" Yarwood.

My choice for the thread is Donny Osmond

I used to love Russ Abbott!!

Denise Van Outen