Fifties favourite Archie Andrews poised to entertain a new generation

In his heyday the star of Educating Archie, who along with Peter Brough entertained radio listeners throughout the 1950s, appeared alongside the likes of Tony Hancock, Bruce Forsyth and Max Bygraves.

Despite the bizarre concept of a radio ventriloquist act, he had a 250,000-strong fan club and millions of listeners. His disappearance on a train journey in 1951 made national headlines.

But after a brief flirtation with television, Brough retired from showbusiness in 1962.

Apart from occasional one-night shows, Archie remained in a suitcase and out of the public eye.

Now after a successful show at Cromer Pier, Norfolk, last summer, his new owner hopes to 
entertain a fresh generation of fans.

After buying the 4ft wooden doll for £34,000 in 2005, Colin Burnett-Dick has made it his mission to bring Archie back to the stage with an updated show.

A new production will take place at Eastbourne’s Under Ground Theatre on October 27 and 28 and if it proves popular there are hopes the show will tour the UK.

Describing the show, Mr Burnett-Dick said: “Archie will take the audience back to 1954 with a little help from his friends.”

It is a move welcomed by another of the country’s favourite ventriloquists.

Keith Harris, who shot to fame with his puppet Orville, said: “As a boy I listened to Educating Archie on the radio and I didn’t know Peter was a ventriloquist and Archie was a dummy.”

He recalled once meeting Brough: “I asked if I could get their autographs.

“Peter was a gentleman and very kind to me. I told him one day I too would love to be a ventriloquist.

“Years later Peter came to see me and we talked about our first meeting and laughed about him being a ventriloquist on the radio.”

Steve Hewlett, who lives in Eastbourne, will be Archie’s new companion ventriloquist.

He said: “Archie has been given a wardrobe makeover to launch his new career, much to his annoyance as he really was surgically attached to his 1950s garb – cap, scarf, stripy blazer.”

Brough died in 1999, and Archie was put up for auction six years later.

Describing his decision to buy the doll, Mr Burnett-Dick said: “He was worth every penny. There is so much history attached to him.

“I was too young to remember him from my childhood, but his legacy lived on. I was fascinated and it is an interest that has never gone away.”