EastEnders legend among Londoners celebrated with blue plaques at care home| My news from London

Ten blue plaques have been unveiled in honor of stars including comedian Sir Norman Wisdom and EastEnders legend Leslie Grantham at the Royal Variety Charity care home. The ceremony, hosted by broadcaster Mike Read, took place at Brinsworth House, Twickenham, on Saturday 22 June to celebrate a number of former residents of the house.

Sir Norman, who was famous for his comedy film roles in the 1950s and 1960s, died in 2010 aged 95. Grantham, known for his role as ‘Dirty’ Den Watts in EastEnders, died aged 71 in 2018.

Other celebrities honored with plaques include impressionist Mike Yarwood, EastEnders actress Mona Hammond, Clark Brothers’ Steve Clark and musical couple Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson. Joy and Manny Francois, DJ Duncan Johnson, acrobat Serge Ganjou and cellist Alexander “Bobby” Kok were also commemorated with a plaque.

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Giles Cooper, chairman of the Royal Variety Charity, said: “The Royal Variety Charity residential and care home, Brinsworth House, has been a place of great joy for our residents for over a century. In the past we have celebrated a number of those in our care with blue plaques, including Dame Thora Hird, Danny La Rue and John Inman”.

He continued: “Now, it is time to formally recognize several entertainers, musicians and actors, who have given so much to national life over many decades.”

Blue plaques are a way to honor the lives and contributions of notable people who lived or worked in the building where the plaque is placed. The Royal Variety Charity provides support to those who have had professional careers in the entertainment industry and also owns and operates a residential and care home for the elderly in London.

In May, it was announced that the King would be the new patron of this charity.

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