Actor. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, he appeared in a few films, notably as the father in "Billy Liar" (1963) and as Walter Bingley in "For the Love of Ada" (1972, based on the television series in which he and Irene Handl had starred), but had been on stage since the late 1920s. During the Second World War, he moved to London to read the news on the wireless, but there were many complaints about his Yorkshire accent. The BBC replied that, if the Germans were to invade and take over Broadcasting House, it would be easy for them to mimic the received pronounciation of most announcers, but that no Teuton could possibly imitate Wilfred's voice. Once the fear of invasion had receded, he was no longer employed as a newsreader, but he was made an OBE. in 1950, and became even better known as the presenter of the long-running programme "Have a Go" (1946 to 1967) on BBC radio, along with his wife Mabel, who was always introduced as "Mabel at the table."
Actor. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, he appeared in a few films, notably as the father in "Billy Liar" (1963) and as Walter Bingley in "For the Love of Ada" (1972, based on the television series in which he and Irene Handl had starred), but had been on stage since the late 1920s. During the Second World War, he moved to London to read the news on the wireless, but there were many complaints about his Yorkshire accent. The BBC replied that, if the Germans were to invade and take over Broadcasting House, it would be easy for them to mimic the received pronounciation of most announcers, but that no Teuton could possibly imitate Wilfred's voice. Once the fear of invasion had receded, he was no longer employed as a newsreader, but he was made an OBE. in 1950, and became even better known as the presenter of the long-running programme "Have a Go" (1946 to 1967) on BBC radio, along with his wife Mabel, who was always introduced as "Mabel at the table."
Bio by: Iain MacFarlaine
Family Members
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See more Pickles memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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1911 England Census
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West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1910
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UK and Ireland, Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current
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England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
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England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
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