Raymond Isaacs (6 October 1928 – 19 June 2002), who performed as Ray Martine, was a British comedian, especially on television in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Life and career

He was born to

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parents in London, and underwent

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in the RAF before spending time in the United States, where he heard the patter and one-liners of American comedians. On returning to England, he worked in the clothing trade, and performed as an amateur comedian in London pubs in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His style was "waspish... nd uncompromising about problems he had faced arising from his sexuality and Jewishness". Gavin Gaughan, "Ray Martine: Early British master of the risqué comedy routine", ''The Guardian'', 11 October 2002
Retrieved 2 March 2021 He was spotted by television journalist Daniel Farson, who booked him to appear in the

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pub he owned, the Waterman's Arms, alongside performers Rex Jameson (Mrs Shufflewick) and Queenie Watts. As a result, Martine was recruited to host the

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, '' Stars and Garters'', initially set in Farson's pub but soon moved to a studio set. The show started in 1963, and featured singers such as Vince Hill,

Kathy Kirby Kathy Kirby (born Catherine Ethel O'Rourke; 20 October 1938 – 19 May 2011) was an English singer, reportedly the highest-paid female singer of her generation. She is best known for her cover version of Doris Day's "Secret Love (Doris Day s ...

, and Clinton Ford. Helped by jokes written by Dick Vosburgh and

Marty Feldman Martin Alan Feldman (8 July 1934 – 2 December 1982) was a British actor, comedian and comedy writer. He was known for his prominent, misaligned eyes. He initially gained prominence as a writer with Barry Took on the ITV sitcom ''Bootsi ...

, Martine became popular, and recorded a comedy LP, ''East End, West End'', recorded at a pub in Hackney and at the Establishment Club in

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, in 1964. He was dropped before the third series of ''Stars and Garters'' in late 1965, and appeared as a

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in ''

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'' in 1966. His television success led to bookings in workingmens clubs in the

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, where he started to base himself. He reappeared on British television in 1969, as a panel member in the comedy panel show '' Jokers Wild'', hosted by

Barry Cryer Barry Charles Cryer (23 March 1935 – 25 January 2022) was an English writer, comedian, and actor. As well as performing on stage, radio and television, Cryer wrote for many performers including Dave Allen, Stanley Baxter, Jack Benny, Rory ...

and also featuring Les Dawson,

Arthur Askey Arthur Bowden Askey, (6 June 1900 – 16 November 1982) was an English comedian and actor. Askey was known for his short stature (5' 2", 1.58 m) and distinctive horn-rimmed glasses, and his playful humour incorporating improvisation ...

and Ted Ray. His appearances on the show were described as "lively and unpredictable... nd sometimesoverpoweringly disruptive." Martine appeared in most episodes of the show up to 1972, when he left. ''Jokers Wild'', IMDb
Retrieved 2 March 2021 Martine continued for some years to perform in clubs in the north of England, and also undertook after dinner speaking. By the 1990s, he was reportedly involved in the

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business in Newcastle. He died in a nursing home in Newcastle in 2002, aged 73.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martine, Ray 1928 births 2002 deaths 20th-century English comedians English male comedians Gay entertainers 20th-century LGBT people