Lionel Morton (born Lionel Walmsley, 14 August 1942)[1] is an English former musician and television presenter.

Lionel Morton
Birth nameLionel Walmsley
Born (1942-08-14) 14 August 1942 (age 82)
Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Occupation(s)Musician and television presenter

Morton was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.[1] In the early 1960s, he was the lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist of the group, the Four Pennies. They are best known for their biggest hit single, "Juliet" which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in May 1964.[2] Morton and his group appeared seven times on the BBC Television music charts programme, Top of the Pops.

From April 1968 to December 1977, he was a regular presenter on the pre-school children's programme Play School. He also appeared during 1983/4. In the 1970s he went on to present on Play Away. He was formerly married to the actress, Julia Foster, for five years, with whom he had a daughter Emily.

Discography

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UK singles

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  • 1967 "What To Do With Laurie" / "I'll Just Wait Around" (Philips BF 1578)
  • 1967 "First Love Never Dies" / "Try Not To Cry" (Philips BF 1607)
  • 1969 "Waterloo Road" / "Floral Street" (RCA Victor 1875)
  • 1972 "What A Woman Does" / "Listen To The Music" (Cube BUG24)
  • 1974 "Don't Let Life Get You Down" / "Play Away" (BBC BEEB011)[3]

UK albums

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  • 1972 Play School (BBC RBT 10)
  • 1973 Lionel (Contour 2870324)
  • 1973 Bang on a Drum (BBC RBT 17)
  • 1973 Play Away (BBC RBT 19)
  • 1975 Hey You! Songs from Play Away (BBC REC 209)
  • 1975 Sing a Song of Play School (BBC REC 212)[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 902. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 210. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. ^ a b "Lionel Morton Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
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