Dave Allen, who died in his sleep on March 10 at the age of 68, will be best remembered as perhaps the greatest Irish comedian to grace television and the stage in the United Kingdom.

But he did have a serious side, reflected in a handful of television documentaries he presented.

“Dave Allen in the Melting Pot”, which was screened by ITV in the UK just before Christmas 1969 was one such project.

And this television programme has its niche in

UK gay history as it featured one of the very first interviews on British television with men who were openly gay.

The “melting point” was New York City and the programme also dealt with drugs and racism.

The “classic” Dave Allen used just three props – a tall stool, a glass of whiskey and a cigarette – as, perched on his stool, he looked on life, especially the taboo subjects of the day of sex, religion and politics through ordinary Irish eyes puffing on a Gauloise, sipping his “whiskey” and flicking ash off his suit to great effect.

He made his big breakthrough on Australian television with the help of ‘the last of the red hot mammas, Sophie Tucker in 1963 who introduced him to an Australian friend.

Dave Allen was born on July 6, 1936.  The was married twice and is survived by his second wife and three children.

From The Guardian:

Obituary: Dave Allen, by Stephen Dixon
Sit-down Comedian: Dave Allen Dies at 68, by Richard Jinman
Dave Allen – In His Own Words

From The BBC: 

Comedian Dave Allen Dies Aged 68
Obituary: Dave Allen
Tributes Paid to Comic Dave Allen
No subject was taboo for Dave, by comedy writer Ken Rock

12 March  2005