Max Bygraves' son: "My dad was worthy of more respect" (From Thisisdorset)
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Max Bygraves' son: "My dad was worthy of more respect"
12:00pm Friday 19th October 2012 in Latest
Max Bygraves
THE grieving son of Max Bygraves has condemned the “cruel headlines” which sullied the legendary entertainer’s memory, in the days following his death.
As Anthony Bygraves’ revealed plans for a permanent memorial for his father in Bournemouth, he said: “The headlines added to our heartache; he should have been treated with more respect.”
While the family struggled to come to terms with Max’s passing on August 31, one tabloid paper used the occasion to dwell on the skeletons which had haunted the much-loved variety performer.
Anthony doesn’t make excuses for his father’s affairs or three illegitimate children. He said: “It all happened a long time ago; dad worked away from home a lot. He was a very charismatic, good-looking man and when he came out of the stage door he was always surrounded by women.
“Those he got involved with would have known he was married and had children. I’m not saying that what he did was right but it takes two to tango.
“I met my two half-brothers; they seemed like really nice chaps but I didn’t tell mum because I felt like I was betraying her.
“She wasn’t the downtrodden, forgiving character portrayed in the press; she was a very strong woman.
“It must have been very hard for her; when she picked up a paper and read what was being said.
“It opened up old wounds but they had been together for 67 years and he adored her. Towards the end they were more like teenage sweethearts; always holding hands.
“He was so devoted to mum that he moved into her nursing home in Australia, so they could still be together. Even towards the end, when Alzheimer’s made him very confused, he kept asking for mum.”
Anthony, inset, who lives in Bournemouth, was Max’s manager. Choking back tears, he said: “I was on the road with dad for 15 years. He was an amazing influence on my life; my inspiration. I want to keep his memory alive.”
Anthony is planning to stage a concert in Bournemouth to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society and also wants a permanent memorial to his father in the resort.
He said: “Mum and dad lived here for more than 40 years; although they had places in other parts of the world Bournemouth was always home. Dad wanted to come back but sadly his frail health made the long journey impossible.”
Comments(18)
buickboy
says...
4:06pm Fri 19 Oct 12
muscliffman wrote:Absoloutely correct ! Max was well loved and respected by millions and a great entertainer, any 'mistakes' he may have made were pretty minor by today's standard. RIP Max xx
Are there not times when silence serves best to convey a point? I do not recall reading much disrespectful about Max Bygraves, at least that was not already known, when he passed away. He was a good entertainer and yes, a bit of a lad in his time, but he was held in affection by most despite, or maybe because of, that. This article, I am sure unitentionally, serves to remind us that Max was human and like all of us made a few mistakes - to what purpose?
whataboutthat
says...
4:12pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Take a look at the rows of mags in the shops telling you this that and the other about minor and major 'celebrity' nonentities and their advertising backed little lives. If Max was alive and professionally active today they'd be tearing him to pieces every time he got on or off a plane.
Tripod
says...
6:52pm Fri 19 Oct 12
gosub47
says...
7:07pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Tripod wrote:Mentioning, Max Bygraves and that other low life in the same article, is disrespectful to Max.
No disrespect to Max, but, Not saying anything because someone is "Well Loved and Respected" is how a certain other celebrity got away with His "Activities" for so long; and He wasn't the only one.
pete woodley
says...
7:30pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Turtlebay
says...
8:49pm Fri 19 Oct 12
gosub47 wrote:Which low life do you refer to? Is it by any chance the dead one that wore a red tracksuit, who has been vilified by all and sundry now that he is dead and cannot clear his name?
Tripod wrote:Mentioning, Max Bygraves and that other low life in the same article, is disrespectful to Max.
No disrespect to Max, but, Not saying anything because someone is "Well Loved and Respected" is how a certain other celebrity got away with His "Activities" for so long; and He wasn't the only one.
What happened to 'never speak ill of the dead' I wonder?
Phixer
says...
12:41am Sat 20 Oct 12
Turtlebay wrote:So many 'allegations' coming out of the woodwork but with no evidence.
gosub47 wrote:Which low life do you refer to? Is it by any chance the dead one that wore a red tracksuit, who has been vilified by all and sundry now that he is dead and cannot clear his name?
Tripod wrote:Mentioning, Max Bygraves and that other low life in the same article, is disrespectful to Max.
No disrespect to Max, but, Not saying anything because someone is "Well Loved and Respected" is how a certain other celebrity got away with His "Activities" for so long; and He wasn't the only one.
What happened to 'never speak ill of the dead' I wonder?
MrPitiful
says...
1:40am Sat 20 Oct 12
He had a long history with the town and it seems a lot of local people have fond memories of his presence - along with a fundraising concert for Alzheimers, this would be a great thing to do.
billd766
says...
2:58am Sat 20 Oct 12
Strangely enough nothing is ever published about reporters, editors and newspaper owners. Odd that.
dswilliams
says...
9:25am Sat 20 Oct 12
yet_another_one
says...
10:23am Sat 20 Oct 12
whataboutthat wrote:The gutter press are at it again as it would appear that s**t sells certain types of newspapers, dished up by reporters and editors who are nothing more than low-life salesmen.
Lot of humbug here. Three illegitimate children and a string of affairs is meat and drink to today's broken-backed press who can't be arsed to investigate anything but are quite happy to dish up dirt.
Take a look at the rows of mags in the shops telling you this that and the other about minor and major 'celebrity' nonentities and their advertising backed little lives. If Max was alive and professionally active today they'd be tearing him to pieces every time he got on or off a plane.
Every time, do we never learn?
It's so sad.
What was that old saying "people who live in glass houses should not throw stones".
It would appear you get vilified if you are successful in our society or an 'also ran' and a simple target for all this kind of stuff if you are not.
For goodness sake, RESPECT the man for all the good he achieved and for so many in his life.
Yes, it does take 'two to tango' and let us not forget that. Max was probably a normal, decent guy and a weak target now he cannot defend himself. So, full marks to Anthony for speaking up for his Dad.
Tell me, why do the press not investigate more and tear strips off these women who throw themselves at successful people rather than the likes of Max who, allegedly, may have succumbed to their charms.
pete woodley
says...
10:48am Sat 20 Oct 12
yourbard
says...
1:19pm Sat 20 Oct 12
madras
says...
1:40pm Sat 20 Oct 12
stevobath
says...
1:47pm Sat 20 Oct 12
muscliffman wrote:If it wasnt for his son bringing this up, I wouldnt have known about the affairs etc.Bit of an own goal I think.
Are there not times when silence serves best to convey a point?
I do not recall reading much disrespectful about Max Bygraves, at least that was not already known, when he passed away.
He was a good entertainer and yes, a bit of a lad in his time, but he was held in affection by most despite, or maybe because of, that.
This article, I am sure unitentionally, serves to remind us that Max was human and like all of us made a few mistakes - to what purpose?
Anyway.So what if he did a few 'naughty' things.Too many hypocrites around...He was a great entertainer, though didnt appeal to me,he had millions of fans.That says it all really.
pete woodley
says...
3:00pm Sat 20 Oct 12
chrspeters
says...
4:20pm Sat 20 Oct 12
He should have just put ‘something on the end of it!’
Then there wouldn’t have been, ‘Tell me a story!’
muscliffman says...
3:13pm Fri 19 Oct 12
I do not recall reading much disrespectful about Max Bygraves, at least that was not already known, when he passed away.
He was a good entertainer and yes, a bit of a lad in his time, but he was held in affection by most despite, or maybe because of, that.
This article, I am sure unitentionally, serves to remind us that Max was human and like all of us made a few mistakes - to what purpose?