A History Of Liverpool Thespians - Janet Webb

 

Janet Webb was born Janet Patricia Webster on the 1st of July 1930 in Liverpool, the daughter of Gilbert Webster, Professor of Music at the Royal Manchester College of Music and renowned as one of the few players of the cimbalom. Her mother was Adeline Ashcroft Webster (née Coghlan). Janet married violinist Charles Vorzanger in 1957 and is reputed to have had a 'fine singing voice', having Alyn Ainsworth as her musical director. Her belting style was put to use on the 1967 Music For Pleasure album, 'Songs Of A World At War' by Janet Webb And The Naafi Singers (Music For Pleasure: MFP3005) - Directed By [Musical Direction] –  Alyn Ainsworth.

Her film career was short, but included appearances in British film comedies such as 'A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum' (1966), 'The Amorous Milkman' (1975) and 'Joseph Andrews' (1977). However it was on TV that she made her mark, particularly on 'The Morecambe and Wise Show'. It began in 1969 when the first show of Series 2 had finished and the credits were rolling, Eric and Ernie were taking the well deserved applause and their signature song 'Bring Me Sunshine had just finished.... Then, from the back of the set, stage right, a large, burly, well dressed lady, strode on and pushed her way between the guests and the two comedians. No one watching at the time knew what was happening, but this, it turns out was Eric’s idea.Wearing a bright yellow ball gown, she stole the applause, bowing gracefully much to the bemusement of the cast who stood looking on. Her name didn't even appear in the credits for this first show. Who could this woman be?
This became the running gag that would end every show for the next three or four years. It wasn’t until Series 5 that the audiences actually heard her speak, and her words would remain unchanged for the remainder of her appearances, apart from one special occasion. In a warm, refined accent, she declared; "I'd like to thank all of you for watching me and my little show here tonight. If you've enjoyed it, then it's all been worthwhile. So, until we meet again, good night, and I love you all."

Her name was never mentioned on the show, although she did appear in the credits from the second show onwards. To Eric and Ern she was 'The lady who comes down at the end' but her name was Janet Webb, the buxom (49 inch) lady who stole the show for nearly four years. One memorable appearance in Series 5, 1971, saw her at the start of the show as well as the end. The guest was Arthur Lowe of 'Dad’s Army' fame. He had, in the script, agreed to do the show if he could meet the star. After some banter between the three of them, it comes to light he is referring to Janet and not Eric or Ernie. Janet promptly appears and proceeded to charm Arthur, and man-handle him, off the stage. At Arthur's insistence in the opening skit, she also appeared in the Play What Ernie Wrote, Monty On The Bonty. Before being cast adrift, Arthur asks that his cabin boy go with him, and sure enough Janet appears as 'Tiny' the cabin boy, shortly followed by the cast of 'Dad’s Army'. At the end she appeared again, this time in full wedding dress, accompanied by Arthur, and this time her lines have been changed. "I'd like to thank all of you for watching me and my little show here tonight. If you've enjoyed it, then it's all been worthwhile. So, until we meet again, on behalf of my husband and I, good night, and I love you all." These farewell speeches would be followed by gifts such as flowers, boxes of chocolates and the like.

During the mid to late 1970s she became ill and her appearances grew less, eventually ending her consistent run. She made several more one-off appearances including a memorable one in the 1972 Christmas show that parodied her own role and gave her different lines and one ending to the show that producer John Ammonds thought one of the best. The idea came from John himself and would see several previous guest stars through the show, in close up saying the line; "I worked with Morecambe and Wise, and look what happened to me." The camera pulled back to reveal that the star had fallen from grace, with for example, Andre Previn as a bus conductor, Ian Carmichael as a paper boy, Flora Robson a BBC tea lady and Eric Porter as a bin man. Right at the very end after the credits, we get a shot of Janet’s face saying, "I’m Janet Webb. I worked with Morecambe and Wise and it’s done me no harm." The camera pulls back to reveal her stood by a Rolls Royce. She proceeds to walk up a flight of stair and enters a huge stately home. That show was supposed to contain more famous guests, but because of other working commitments, they couldn't appear. Alas, we never got to see Shirley Bassey, on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor.

Janet also appeared as the surprise guest in many of Eric and Ernie's live shows. She would sneak in when no one was about and remain in a dressing room until required to strut on stage and deliver her famous words. Janet stopped appearing regularly in 1972, due to ill health, but did make occasional cameo appearances in 'The Morecambe & Wise Show' until 1974. She later appeared with another BBC double act show, 'The Two Ronnies' on several shows in their 1976 and 1977 series.

Janet died from cancer on the 29th of December 1983 and was buried at the churchyard of St Paul's, Covent Garden, London.

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2023/10/a-history-of-liverpool-thespians.html