The Billy Cotton Band Show was a popular Sunday lunchtime radio programme on the BBC Light Programme from 1949 to 1968.
The band leader, Billy Cotton, was a larger-than-life Cockney character who started each show with the cry “Wakey-Wake-aaaay!”, followed by the band’s signature tune “Somebody Stole My Gal” (which was also featured in the video game Pop'n Music 9).
The show transferred to BBC Television in 1956, usually on Saturday evenings at 7.00 pm. It ran, under various names, until 1965.
Regular entertainers included Alan Breeze, Kathie Kay, Doreen Stephens and the pianist Russ Conway. Pianist Mrs Mills made her first television appearance on the show.
Terry Jones and Michael Palin, both later to become members of Monty Python's Flying Circus, wrote jokes for the show.
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