Car Registrations Stories: Diddy' David Hamilton

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The Beat Show was the first programme David hosted for BBC Radio in which all the top pop groups appeared. “It was a time when beat groups were emerging and the popularity of the big bands was slowing down. Economically speaking, beat groups were much cheaper to put on because they had fewer members.

"I've had the privilege of seeing everyone from Frank Sinatra to Frank Zappa but I have to say that it was Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra that stood out from the rest. They were the two greats." David maintains that the most rewarding part of any of his jobs was discovering the star acts of tomorrow. “When I was working at Radio One, a three-girl group from Philadelphia filled-in at a London Palladium show I was hosting. They were called The Three Degrees and they sang Year of Decision. I immediately knew they had something special. I presented them as the new 'Supremes' and featured their song as my record of the week on Hamilton's Hot Shot. They followed it with the massive hit When Will I See You Again. Another 'Hot Shot' was the unusual Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

When I moved to Radio Two, I took the Hamilton's Hot Shot concept with me. Radio One decided not to play songs from a new group called Culture Club. They thought that Boy George was a bit too out there, but I championed them and now Boy George is not only a household name but a DJ himself."

David seems to have been around during many transitional moments in broadcasting history. For instance, on 28 July 1968, he scripted and presented the final programme for ABC TV, ending his time there as announcer. Only two days later he became the first face on the new Thames TV from London. He hosted many shows for Thames, including Fashion from Woburn, Magic Circle Christmas Box, Million Dollar Legs and The Magic Circle Show. He also made appearances in Mike and Bernie's Show, The Dickie Henderson Show, and The Benny Hill Show.

In September 1967, David was there to wrap things up for Housewives Choice. Two months later, he made his first broadcast on the new Radio One as host of Family Choice. He went on to present Music through Midnight, Roundabout, Pop Inn, Radio One Club and The David Hamilton Show (broadcast on both Radio One and Two).

In 1971, David was asked to play Buttons in Cinderella at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford. It was his first pantomime. “My pal Ken Dodd came to see me at rehearsals. I was struggling with my voice, my throat was sore, so he recommended a cough sweet called The Actors Friend, which really helped. He told me to have my microphone closer to my mouth so that even if my voice was faint, the sound could be turned up and I would be heard clearly. He also suggested that I work on my pathos - I should get the kids on my side because as Buttons, I was the good guy. I followed what he told me and soon after a little boy called out during a matinee, 'marry Buttons.'

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