Ayrshire cartoon king Glen reveals all

Oct 10 2008

HE’S done it all, and then some. And the show is far from over for a showbiz legend.

For while Glen Michael was compiling his autobiography a new chapter opened.

And the 82-year-old may have to write a follow-up to Life’s a Cavalcade, out this week.

As the Post reveals, Glen has landed a cameo role in a Hollywood blockbuster.

And he’ll be flown to London’s Elstree Studios to film opposite star Nicholas Cage in Kick-Ass.

Incredibly, it’s almost 60 years since a young Glen featured in The Blue Lamp, one of Britain’s best-ever police movies.

But circumstances, including illness and his likeness to star Dirk Bogarde, conspired against Glen’s fledgling film career.

Glen turned to variety, and appeared in theatres all over the UK.

He said: “I was lucky that my career coincided with the end of variety theatre, and the beginning of television.”

Versatile Glen found himself the perfect foil for great Scots comics like Jack Milroy and Rikki Fulton.

And he became a household name through Glen Michael’s Cartoon Cavalcade, which attracted a massive TV audience.

It’s ironic that the Scottish showbiz legend was born Cecil Buckland in Paignton, Devon.

And Glen admits wife Beryl had the more sustainable career when they tied the knot.

Singer-actress Beryl had made it to the bright lights of London’s West End.

But she selflessly devoted herself to her family and her husband’s career.

Pictures here are among dozens of great archive shots from Life’s a Cavalcade.

Glen Michael will be signing copies of his book in Waterstone’s in Ayr from 1pm on Saturday, October 11.