Relaxed Irish crooner Val Doonican sits in a rocking chair, wearing cardigans or jumpers, and playing the guitar, performing easy listening and country material – and often comedic Irish songs. Comedy newcomer Dave Allen was a frequent regular in 1965-66. Guests included Lulu, Marianne Faithfull, Lonnie Donegan, Cliff Richard, The Shadows, Adam Faith, Sandie Shaw, Julie Felix, The Bachelors, Kathy Kirby, Cilla Black, The Alan Price Set, Frank Ifield, Rolf Harris, The Beverley Sisters, Nana Mouskouri, David Nixon, Les Dawson, Arthur Askey, Roy Castle, Norman Vaughan, Derek Nimmo, Des O’Connor, Kenneth McKellar, Sheila Hancock, Ray Alan, and Matt Monro.
CreatorVal Doonican
Episode 1
Nov 18, 1970
Val Doonican goes international — but don't expect too much of a compromise as the relaxed Irishman of the infectious grin makes his first ITV spectacular shown round the world. The famous rocking chair is still there and the opening sequence was filmed in genuine Doonican country at County Wicklow. He is joined by Irish soprano Patricia Cahill, comedian Arthur Askey, French puppeteer Andre Tahon and folk singer Roger Whittaker.
Christmas Special
Dec 25, 1970
Val is at home and his Christmas callers include Sandie Shaw singing And I Love Him and Ronnie Corbett who joins Val and Sandie for The Magic Shillelagh. Flanders and Swann provide a parody of The Twelve Days of Christmas and Stephan Grappelli provides some magical jazz violin.
