1984: The Show Must Go On | The Showmen | BBC Archive

Warning: This programme is of its time. Stunts featured should not be replicated under any circumstances. Clem Bailey blows up his daughter at least three times a year. What has he got against her? John Clark throws himself in front of Fred Dibnah's steamroller. Is it because he's given up the milk-round? Why would Joan Smith rather be known as Natasha Steel, Belle of the Blades? Michael Costello spends his summer in an exploding coffin. Could it be easier than eating light-bulbs? The reason is that they're Showmen, rehearsing all winter long in suburban back gardens, performing around the country at shows and fairs in the summertime. Their passion is not for fame or fortune, but for entertaining the public. They are keeping alive a tradition of British entertainment. Paul Heiney meets the men and women for whom the show must go on. Clip taken from The Showmen, originally broadcast on BBC One, 5 January, 1984. You have now entered the BBC Archive, a time machine that will transport you back to the golden age of TV to educate, entertain and enlighten you with classic clips from the BBC vaults. Make sure you subscribe so that you never miss a single stop on our amazing journey through the BBC Archive - https://www.youtube.com/c/BBCArchive?... You can also dive into plenty more BBC Archive on our website - https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive