Bonnie's foot fetish?

We welcome with - ahem - open arms the world of work once again...

...to find another of those "you know you're getting old when..." moments.

For none other than the annoying "Violet Elizabeth Bott" from the Just William television series of my youth, the overly-effervescent Bonnie Langford is 60 years old today!

Nowadays possibly better remembered as one of Doctor Who's companions "Mel", or maybe as a contestant on Dancing on Ice, or perhaps for her role as "Carmel Kazemi" in EastEnders, she is actually a brilliantly talented dancer and singer on a variety of stages - with a lot of talent in her extended family, being the aunt of West End actresses Summer, Scarlett and Zizi Strallen - including in panto, and as the star of productions of Guys & Dolls, Chicago, 9 to 5 and 42nd Street, as well as taking her turn in the faboo Sondheim tribute gala Old Friends in 2022 [and we saw her at the Sondheim 75th birthday gala Children Will Listen in 2005]. A trouper!

On this Tacky Music Monday, here she is in fine form, with a bevy of safety gays:

Bonnie Langford - Fabulous Feet

Many happy returns, Bonnie Langford (born Bonita Melody Lysette Langford, 22nd July 1964)

Have a good week, dear reader.

Rebellion?

Heavens. You know you're getting old when...

...you realise that "Violet Elizabeth Bott" - from the 70s TV adaptation of my fave childhood books by Richmal Crompton, Just William, in which Diana Dors played her mother - is 55 years old!

Bonnie Langford (for it is she) is now, of course, well-respected as a West End hoofer and choreographer - but back in the 80s, she tried desperately to shake off her precocious "child prodigy" persona by appearing in The Hot Shoe Show alongside Wayne Sleep; and, on this Tacky Music Monday, it is to that cringeworthy era we turn for our traditional "wake up call"!

Bonnie Langford - He's a Rebel

Facts:

• At just six years old, she won the talent show Opportunity Knocks.
• Bonnie began her on-screen career as "Lena Marelli" in Bugsy Malone.
• In the mid-80s, she played "Mel", companion to both Colin Baker's Sixth Doctor and Sylvester McCoy's Seventh in Doctor Who.
• She is the aunt of West End actresses Summer, Scarlett, Zizi and Sasi Strallen.
• Latterly, she appeared as blowsy matriarch of the "Kazemi" clan in Eastenders, before quitting that in order to return to the stage in 42nd Street.

Many happy returns, Bonita Melody Lysette Langford (born 22nd July 1964)

Duet of the day

It's Miss Lena Zavaroni and Miss Bonnie Langford!

Lena Zavaroni and Bonnie Langford - The Brightest Star

Enjoy..?