Melvyn Hayes

Melvyn was born on the 11th January 1935,the third of four sons.

His parents, were of Jewish descent, and the family all lived above their men’s’ outfitting shop in the Wandsworth Road, East London.

Melvyn and his brothers were evacuated to Dawlish in Devon when war broke out in 1939.

However they returned to London in 1944 for the rest of the war and lived in Clapham.

Melvyn passed his 11 plus exam and in 1946 attended Sir Walter St. John’s Grammar School in Battersea and represented the school in chess and boxing

Neither being very academic, nor tall Melvyn left school at 15 to train as a jockey.

Since this turned out to be a rather unsuccessful career he entered the world of entertainment and in 1950 first earned his living climbing a rope and disappearing twice daily for the magician The Great Masoni.

For the next 75 years he built a huge acting reputation starting in local repertory theatres then, moving into films and television playing many parts alongside famous household names.

In 1953 he signed a film contract with Associated British Corporation where he acted alongside Cliff Richards and the Shadows in three top box office grossing films.

In 1957 He played young Frankenstein in The Curse of Frankenstein starring Peter Cushing as the older character.

His own big television break came in 1973 when he landed the part of Bombardier Gloria Beaumont in “It Aint Half Hot Mum” which ran for nine years on BBC.

He also played in major West End theatrical Productions and performed in Cabaret as well as Pantomime at the London Palladium.

In 1981 Melvyn was the subject of This is Your life -presented by the late Eamon Andrews.

Melvyn recently presented films for Talking Pictures TV, and is still offered acting roles at the young age of 90.

He is a very proud to be a member and Past ‘King’ of the Grand Order of Water Rats.

Melvyn likes to keep fit and regularly visits his local gym.

Married three times, Melvyn has 6 children from three wives 2 adopted sons , 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren,

He currently lives is South London with his youngest daughter and her husband.