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Kenneth Horne

(1907-1969), Comedian and broadcaster

(Charles) Kenneth Horne

Sitter in 4 portraits
A much-loved comedian and broadcaster, Horne served in the RAF during the Second World War, first broadcasting on radio in 1940 in the series Ack, Ack, Beer, Beer. In 1943, he created with Richard Murdoch the immensely popular series Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh, which ran until 1950. He was the Ken of Beyond our Ken and the anchorman for Round the Horne (1965-8). Horne also chaired the television quiz show Celebrity Challenge and the radio programme Twenty Questions. He has been described as 'a master of the scandalous double-meaning delivered with shining innocence'.

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The cast of 'Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh' during rehearsal (Richard Bernard ('Stinker') Murdoch; Diana Morrison; Barbara Leigh; Sam Costa; Kenneth Horne; (William) Maurice Denham), by Unknown photographer - NPG x198426

The cast of 'Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh' during rehearsal (Richard Bernard ('Stinker') Murdoch; Diana Morrison; Barbara Leigh; Sam Costa; Kenneth Horne; (William) Maurice Denham)

by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 15 March 1950
NPG x198426

Kenneth Horne, by Baron Studios - NPG x125590

Kenneth Horne

by Baron Studios
half-plate film negative, 1955
NPG x125590

Kenneth Horne, by Lewis Morley - NPG x87822

Kenneth Horne

by Lewis Morley
bromide fibre print, 1962
NPG x87822

Kenneth Horne, by Lewis Morley - NPG x87823

Kenneth Horne

by Lewis Morley
bromide fibre print, 1967
NPG x87823

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