Showbiz
This week's DS Icon is not someone you would necessarily recognise if you bumped into him down your local ASDA. Although Derek Griffiths has done some fabulous work on screen down the years, entertaining generations with his sublime acting, children's TV presenting and wacky humour, his most memorable feature is actually his voice. His dulcet tones are immediately recognisable and will most probably bring tears of nostalgic joy to anyone from the ages of 25 to 65.
He took starring roles in the likes of Play Away and Play School in the 1960s and 1970s, but it was when he went behind the camera that Griffiths really came into his own. His singing work on the glorious educational school shows Through The Dragons' Eye, Geordie Racer and Fairground helped alleviate humdrum schooldays for millions of children, while his infamous Look And Read song 'Magic E' is probably the only pop tune to ever teach children some serious grammar and become an ironic anthem for acidhouse ravers in warehouses everywhere. If you weren't lucky enough to grow up with Derek's work, hunt it down on YouTube, because the bloke, without a shred of doubt, warrants the title icon.
Click along our gallery below for some classic snaps of 'The Voice' Derek Griffiths:
He took starring roles in the likes of Play Away and Play School in the 1960s and 1970s, but it was when he went behind the camera that Griffiths really came into his own. His singing work on the glorious educational school shows Through The Dragons' Eye, Geordie Racer and Fairground helped alleviate humdrum schooldays for millions of children, while his infamous Look And Read song 'Magic E' is probably the only pop tune to ever teach children some serious grammar and become an ironic anthem for acidhouse ravers in warehouses everywhere. If you weren't lucky enough to grow up with Derek's work, hunt it down on YouTube, because the bloke, without a shred of doubt, warrants the title icon.
Click along our gallery below for some classic snaps of 'The Voice' Derek Griffiths:
Copyright: Rex Features
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