In The News

Listen With Mother presenter Daphne Oxenford passes away

Listen With Mother presenter Daphne Oxenford passes away

THE death has taken place of Daphne Oxenford, who will be remembered by millions of people as the voice of the Listen With Mother radio programme. She was 93.

For many children who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s the BBC programme was a daily feature of their lives. With a mix of stories, songs and nursery rhymes, the show was broadcast on weekdays at 1.45 p.m. 

Each show began with Ms. Oxenford asking young listeners: “Are you sitting comfortably, then we’ll begin” (see below). The phrase was eventually included in the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations.

Ms. Oxenford, who was an actress, worked on the show from 1950 until 1971.

Away from radio, Ms. Oxenford also appeared on stage as well as television.  Her TV work included a spell on Coronation Street during which she played the character Esther Hayes. She remained a regular member of the cast from 1960 (having appeared in the show’s second episode) until 1963, although he made a number of brief appearances in subsequent years.  

Other TV shows in which she appeared included Man About The House, The Sweeney, Heartbeat and To The Manor Born. She also worked with the comedian Les Dawson (see below).

To hear Daphne Oxenford introduce Listen With Mother, click here.

To view an excerpt from a comedy sketch featuring Daphne Oxenford and Les Dawson, click here.

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