PETER GLAZE, the comedian who starred in the BBC television children's show "Crackerjack" for more than 20 years, has died aged 58.
He had been appearing an a member of the Crazy Gang in the musical "Underneath the Arches" at the Prince of Wales Theatre. He gave two performances on Saturday and died on Sunday at his Dartford home of a heart stack.
As a young man he was understudy for every member of the Crazy Gang at the Victoria Palace and was delighted to be portraying his old friends on the stage.
He was also A regular panellist on the long-running radio quiz "Twenty Questions."
When be left school he worked in his father's theatre as a stage band, boy office cashier, spotlight operator and electrician — and played the drums at matinees.
Variety artist
He joined touring revue when he was 18 as a stage manager before turning to acting. In 1949 he understudied Arthur Askey in "The Kid from Stratford," and moved on as a variety artist.
As the stand-in for the Crazy Gang he went on stage for all of them at various times. In "Underneath the Arches" he played Naughton. Gold, Nervo and Knox.
He was a familiar face on television appearing in "Dr Who," "Comedy Playhouse" and "The Fenn Street Gang." His wife. April Young, has run a theatrical agency for many years
Leslie Crowther, his Crackerjack partner from 1960 to 1968, said yesterday: "He was a thorough professional, a true dyed-in-the-wool old pro."
Ed Stewart, who worked on the programme with him from 1975, said: "Peter was a marvellous chap and perfect for Crackerjack — one of the real old-style comic feeds. We did a couple of pantomimes together. I'm very glad I had the chance to work with him."
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