Growing Up with the Goons

When Andy Secombe was young, his father would burst like a whirlwind into his bedroom late on Saturday nights, wake him and his sister with a snatch of an Italian aria and a fanfare of raspberries, and act out the show he’d just performed, playing all the parts and breaking into song at every opportunity. Celebrities of the day – Alma Cogan, Frankie Vaughan, Tommy Cooper, Stanley Baker and many more – were regular visitors to their house in Cheam.For them this was normal family life. But what was it like for the other Goon children? Andy decided to find out.This extraordinary behind-the-scenes look into the private lives of the Goons reveals the thoughts, stories and feelings of their children. Growing up with the Goons gives a remarkable, unique insight into the joys – and occasional difficulties – of life as a son or daughter of the famous group. Andy Secombe also presents the history of the Goons themselves: their early years; military service and shows at The Grafton Arms and The Windmill. He has interviewed those who knew and worked with the Goons, including Lord Snowdon, the surviving Bentine Children, the original producers of the show, Janet Brown, wife of Peter Butterworth, Barry Cryer and of course, Sile Milligan and Sarah Sellers, as well as those who the Goons influenced, including Now Show’s Steve Punt and Mitch Benn.