Episode four of the first series saw the panel of Noele Gordon, Clifford Davis and Mickie Most, again hosted by Derek Hobson, judge the content, style and presentation of six acts that were new to TV.

Mickie Most originally appeared on the New Faces panel to replace Tony Hatch for just one week, but he made such an impression on the viewers that producer Les Cocks asked him to stay on.

Performing in this episode were;

• The Amazing Margoes (mind-reading act)
• Marc Reid (vocalist) from Henley-in-Arden
• Yakity Yak (four-piece impression & comedy group) from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
• Unknown Act (harmony trio) – possibly The Farrells who would appear in show 2.1
• Unknown Acts (both vocalists) x 2

Also on the show were also two further singers and a harmony trio but the actual names of these acts have been unfortunately lost among the hundreds of wiped episodes of many a programme from this era of television.

Heat winner Yakity Yak would appear again in the Grand Final on 29 December 1973.

Mind readers The Amazing Margoes were Al and Margo Davis, a husband and wife act, working their way around the clubs.  Margo was deaf for the first fourteen years of her life but she had an operation to give her partial hearing.  The had been performing since the mid-50s and had made a number of appearances on America’s Ed Sullivan Show.

They’d been in show business for over 25 years, making a comfortable living, but this one appearance on television changed all that.

The judges comments on the mind-reading pair were very complimentary. Mickie Most said ‘I was absolutely knocked out. Not a bill topping act, but a very smooth and professional speciality that must get a lot of work in Clubs.’ Magician Clifford Davis commented, ‘I have seen them before, and I am still baffled and entertained by them. They use no trick blindfolds or stooges, and are highly professional.’ Crossroads star Noele Gordon completed the judges assessment by adding ‘I entirely agree with Clifford, a very polished and professional act.’

Although they didn’t win this heat their three minute spot was seen by various agents and bookers and they were offered eighteen months of continuous work at a greatly increased fee.  They were so grateful they even phoned producer Les Cocks to thank him and the show for all their help.

They had already supported some top name in their career, including Bob Monkhouse, Frank Ifield, Gene Pitney, Lionel Blair and Anita Harris. Their partnership ended when Al Davis died at home on 4 May 1991, he was survived by his wife and their daughter Carol.

Missing Details

There are three acts missing from this show, which were two singers and a harmony trio but the names of these acts are unknown.

If you have any details of the missing acts then please leave a comment on the page of use the Contact Me page to send in any information you may have.