For decades those simple, conversational words were instantly recognisable across the UK, linked with the warm, cheeky grin of veteran entertainer Max Bygraves OBE.
As singer, writer, comedian and variety performer, Max was a stalwart of British popular culture.
But away from the spotlights of the London Palladium, the long weeks on the road and the big-screen appearances, Max always held a very special place in his heart for the seaside nostalgia of Dorset.
For many years the BCP area was home to the much-loved showbiz titan, a connection with the community he would maintain throughout his career and which would bring him great comfort in the twilight years of his life.
Picture from Roger Marley Max Bygraves and his grandchildren visiting the ABC in West (Image: Submitted)
Born in the south London district of Rotherhithe in 1922, Walter Bygraves’ beginnings were unarguably humble.
The son of a professional flyweight boxer, the future star grew up in a council flat in a family of nine children.
Few could have predicted the dizzying fame and fortune that followed.
His musical talents, however, showed themselves early on in his childhood. He made his debut public appearance while still an altar boy, singing Handels Largo in Westminster Cathedral.
At 13, he won a school talent contest. Having later taken “Max” as a stage name to honour his comedic idol, Max Miller, Bygraves cultivated a chirpy Cockney persona which struck a chord with millions.
In a glittering career, Bygraves – who moved to Australia in 2008 to be near his family – appeared in dozens of films, countless stage shows and topped the charts with his records.
The boy from a council flat in Rotherhithe died a multi-millionaire and a showbiz legend.
Along the way he won the admiration of his peers.
For stars like Des OConnor he was both a “top, top professional” and a key inspirator.
In 1982, his vast and decades-long contribution to British entertainment was formally recognised with the award of an OBE.
Queen Elizabeth II talks with Liverpool comedian Ken Dodd when the stars were present (Image: PA)
London was where his career began, but Bournemouth was where it flourished.
For many years Max and his dearly loved wife, Gladys – or Blossom, as everyone knew her – lived in a magnificent cliff-top house in Bournemouth.
Despite having made his millions and being a famous face all over Britain, Max did not cut himself off from the local BCP community.
He was not an aloof, untouchable star. He was a recognisable, approachable, friendly face about town. And local people remember how willingly he threw himself into community life.
Ray and Enid Townson, of Poole Road, remember how the much-loved star gave freely of his free time to open local church fetes – bringing a bit of happy show business glitz to suburban Saturdays.
Yet even doing the most ordinary things, Max shone out as a warm approachable personality.
He was often seen about and about at such places as Chez Fred’s fish and chip shop.
As Enid reminisced, he was a really nice man and it was a joy simply to be in his company.
Bournemouth had claimed Max, very much, as its own, adopted and well-loved son of the seaside town.
Eventually, the couple emigrated to Queensland, Australia, settling in Hope Island, attracted by the warmer climate and being closer to a number of their extended family who had already emigrated.
Max Bygraves at the AFC Bournemouth game against Aston Villa in 1971 (Image: Echo)
Max and Blossom spent the remainder of their retirement enjoying the Australian sun but time also brought its heavier challenges.
In May 2011, Blossom died after losing her fight against a long illness.
Her death left a gaping hole in Max’s life.
Shortly after, Max was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
According to daughter Christine Green, the father of three accepted his degenerative condition with the same courage and good humour as he had in everything else in his life.
Despite the huge physical distance and despite his worsening condition, Max never lost his sense of fun and he maintained a capacity to enjoy the small and important things in life.
It was at this supremely difficult time that the deep and abiding relationship between Max Bygraves and the people of Bournemouth really showed itself.
Knowing her fathers absolute delight in receiving post, Christine contacted the Bournemouth Daily Echo in April 2012, asking readers of the local paper if they could spare just a moment to send a postcard to the 89-year-old entertainer, explaining that taking a daily walk to the letter box was one of his greatest pleasures and knowing that getting post from his old home in Bournemouth would give him a real fillip.
The response from the BCP area and beyond was truly stunning.
More than 7,000 postcards, letters, gifts and touching testimonials arrived at the Bygraves home in Queensland.
London-born comedian Max Bygraves, who made a name for himself in the BBC programme ‘Educating Archie’. Pictured here in 1951 prior to going to America to star with Judy Garland in variety at the Palace Theatre, New York. The pair will sing the song ‘A Couple of Swells’, which Judy sang with Fred Astaire in the film ‘Easter Parade’. (Image: PA)
Fans from Bournemouth, Poole and the rest of the UK sat down to remind Max of the happiness he had brought them over the years.
Fans like Pam George from Hayling Island and Josie Fiddy from Great Yarmouth wrote to recall the songs that had defined their childhoods and the great entertainer’s spectacular live shows.
The mailbags contained a varied but uniformly touching outpouring of love, which even included English teabags, chocolates, books, poems, drawings, a Union Jack tablecloth and even a playful pink and blue toothbrush tied together with a bow.
Christine later revealed that his face would light up whenever they’d pick up the mail.
He’d ask what it was, and when he was told it was his fan mail, a big bewildered smile would cross his face.
Max Bygraves died peacefully with his children Christine and Barry by his side at his Australian home in the early hours of September 1, 2012. He was 89.
After his death, his family again turned to the Echo to express their profound and heartfelt thanks.
In a moving note, Christine and Barry thanked readers for enriching their father’s final months, saying that, to the very end, he never lost his sense of fun; and the mail he got from his old hometown ‘was full of just that’.
Max Bygraves left a wonderful national legacy of laughter and music.
In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole his memory will always be bound with a story of neighbourliness and a beautiful, life-affirming final correspondence.