Sir Harry Donald Secombe CBE (8 September 1921 – 11 April 2001) was a Welsh entertainer with a talent for comedy and a noted fine tenor singing voice. He is best known for playing Neddie Seagoon, the central character in the BBC radio comedy series The Goon Show (1951-60). He also appeared in musicals and, in his later years, was a prominent presenter of television shows incorporating hymns and other devotional songs.
His long association with The Goon Show, with his co-conspirators, Spike Milligan, Peter Sellars and Michael Bentine, made him a firm favourite with fans and his insane laugh rang out long and loud.
This was the case when he arrived at the Central Police Station in Auckland to be shot - on film, of course.During our ride in the elevator, he entertained those present with raucous announcements at each floor, "Ladies Lingerie, Bulletproof vests, knuckle dusters," etc.After the session we repaired to the bar lounge where he entertained all and sundry with his crazy humour.
In many ways, his comedy took away from his great gift of a wonderful tenor voice, though he sang in many films and tv shows, one has to wonder what his legacy would have been if he had concentrated on singing. This dilemma was highlighted in the film "Davie," in which he portrayed a comic fool with an incredible voice who has to choose between the two.