Drake had arranged for a bookcase to be set up in such a way that it would fall apart when he was pulled through it during a slapstick sketch. In 1961, the later series was brought to an abrupt end, however, by a serious accident which occurred during a live transmission. Because of this and because in his television work he preferred appearing with big-busted women, the catchphrase was born. He appeared in the television shows Laughter in Store (1957), Drake's Progress (1957–58), Charlie Drake In… (1958 to 1960) and The Charlie Drake Show (1960 to 1961), being remembered for his opening catchphrase "Hello, my darlings!" The catchphrase came about because he was short, and so his eyes would often be naturally directly level with a lady's bosom. In 1954 he appeared with Bob Monkhouse and Denis Goodwin in their BBC Television Service sketch comedy show, Fast and Loose. He then joined his wartime comrade Jack Edwardes to form a double act, named 'Mick and Montmorency'.
After serving in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, Drake turned professional and made his television début in The Centre Show in 1953. Career ĭrake made his first appearance on stage at the age of eight, and after leaving school toured working men's clubs. Born Charles Edward Springall in the Elephant and Castle, Southwark, South London, he took his mother's maiden name for the stage and, later, film and television, achieving success as a comedian.