25 May 1974 – Series Two (8)

19740530_ToniParker
Comedian and balloon artist, Toni
Parker. Image © The Stage
Media Company Limited

Heat eight of the second series saw a panel of Tony Hatch, Mickie Most, Clifford Davis and a returning Arthur Askey pass judgement on seven new acts;

  • Cathy Cota (vocalist)
  • Windmill (six-piece group) from Colchester
  • Toni Parker (comedian) from London
  • Tam White (vocal / guitar) from Edinburgh
  • Diana Dalton (vocal / guitar) from Torquay
  • Nicky James (vocalist) from London
  • Aiden J. Harvey (impressionist) from Littleborough
Show winner Aiden J Harvey.
Image: Birmingham Mail
With thanks to Reach PLC

Impressionist Aiden J. Harvey had passed his New Faces audition at Bailey’s Club in Oldham back in February 1974 and had waited three months to make his television debut.

Performing last on the show he outscored the other six contestants and booked his place in the series Grand Final at the start of July 1974, with a stunning score of 118 points from a possible 120.

He beat one of the three singers on the show by just five points.

Following his win he always considered Birmingham to be his lucky city.

19740523_CathyCota
Vocalist Cathy Cota. Image © The Stage
Media Company Limited

London’s Toni Parker was described as a man of several parts all of them good ones. A comedian of wit and resource, he was also a balloon manipulator, a first-class impressionist, and an instrumentalist.

Following her appearance on New Faces, Cathy Cota, performed successful cabaret dates in both the north and south of England and fulfilled bookings on cruise ships before returned for the1974 Pantomime season to appear in Jack and the Beanstalk with Basil Brush at the Empire, Sunderland.

19740530_Windmill
Windmill, who later changed their
name to Wild Affair.
Image © The Stage
Media Company Limited

Windmill, the six-piece pop took their name from Wheatley Taverns’ night-spot The Windmill at Copford, Colchester, where they played regularly for a number of years.

After appearing on New Faces they continued to appear at The Windmill, Copford, supporting comedy acts such as Mike Reid and Cannon & Ball.

In August 1975 they changed their name to Wild Affair and released their first single, Sure enough in love with you, which was produced by Tony Hatch on the Pye record label.

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