Alan Taylor (television presenter)
Encyclopedia
Alan Taylor was a television
presenter, popular in Wales and the West Country during the 1960s and 1970s.
Taylor was originally from Cardiff
, where his family had an electrical business. He served in the Royal Navy
during the Second World War. He began his television career as a continuity announcer with TWW
in 1959 and became one of the station's biggest stars. He also appeared in early episodes of "Paint Along With Nancy" on HTV
where he assisted the host.
After presenting a birthday slot with a glove puppet called "Tinker", he went on to host a regular children's magazine programme called Tinker and Taylor and on which he would often play the Melodica
with the puppet. He later hosted several quiz and game shows on ITV, including Three Little Words
and Mr. & Mrs.. He retired in 1982, ran an antique shop
in Bath for a time, and then moved to Spain, where he died.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
presenter, popular in Wales and the West Country during the 1960s and 1970s.
Taylor was originally from Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, where his family had an electrical business. He served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during the Second World War. He began his television career as a continuity announcer with TWW
Television Wales and the West
Television Wales and the WestTelevision Wales and the WestTelevision Wales and the West , accessed 19 August 2006, accessed 19 August 2006 was the British "Independent Television" contractor for the franchise area serving 'South Wales and West of England' 1956–68 Television Wales and the...
in 1959 and became one of the station's biggest stars. He also appeared in early episodes of "Paint Along With Nancy" on HTV
HTV
HTV, now legally known as ITV Wales & West, is the ITV contractor for Wales and the West of England, which operated from studios in Cardiff and Bristol. The company provided commercial television for the dual-region 'Wales and West' franchise, which it won from TWW in 1968...
where he assisted the host.
After presenting a birthday slot with a glove puppet called "Tinker", he went on to host a regular children's magazine programme called Tinker and Taylor and on which he would often play the Melodica
Melodica
The melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,...
with the puppet. He later hosted several quiz and game shows on ITV, including Three Little Words
Three Little Words (television series)
Three Little Words was a popular game show that was produced by TWW then by HTV West and ran on the ITV network from 1967 until 1987. The programme was hosted by several people, including Don Moss, Alan Taylor, and Ray Alan with his wife Barbie....
and Mr. & Mrs.. He retired in 1982, ran an antique shop
Antique shop
An antique shop is a retail store specializing in the selling of antiques. Antiques shops can be located either locally and with the advent of the Internet found online...
in Bath for a time, and then moved to Spain, where he died.