Lennie Peters and Dianne Lee ( or 'Peters & Lee' as they were collectively known ) were a popular singing duo who came to prominence on Hughie Green's 'Opportunity Knocks' in 1973. Lennie ( who by the way was blind ) and the beautiful Dianne notched up several middle-of-the-road hits such as 'Welcome Home', 'Don't Stay Away Too Long' and 'Rainbow'.
Following their appearances on A.T.V.'s 'Des O'Connor Entertains', the couple were offered their own series, entitled 'Meet Peters & Lee', which ran for one season in 1976.
Interspersed with their songs were sketches featuring Charlie Drake, his first regular television series since 'Slapstick & Old Lace' in 1971. Drake had gotten into trouble with Equity after employing a non-union dancer in a pantomime he was starring in, and was effectively blacklisted for a while. 'Meet Peters & Lee' got him onto the box via the back door. It has to be said, though, that these sketches were far from his best work. In one, he played a World War 2 pilot who lets loose his cargo of bombs, even though his plane has yet to take off. The show was a big comedown for the diminutive comic. Good for fans of Lennie and Dianne, bad for fans of 'The Worker'.
Peters & Lee continued to work in theatre and summer shows, but their popularity was never the same again after this. Eventually, they parted company. Lennie died in 1992. Dianne went on to appear in Jim Davidson's X-rated pantomimes ( as did Charlie ).
The classic sitcom 'Citizen Smith' made a delightful reference to the duo in one episode. Attending a talent contest in dark glasses, Wolfie reminds his girlfriend that an old lady asked them for an autograph. "That's because she thought we were Peters & Lee!", laughs Shirley.
Following their appearances on A.T.V.'s 'Des O'Connor Entertains', the couple were offered their own series, entitled 'Meet Peters & Lee', which ran for one season in 1976.
Interspersed with their songs were sketches featuring Charlie Drake, his first regular television series since 'Slapstick & Old Lace' in 1971. Drake had gotten into trouble with Equity after employing a non-union dancer in a pantomime he was starring in, and was effectively blacklisted for a while. 'Meet Peters & Lee' got him onto the box via the back door. It has to be said, though, that these sketches were far from his best work. In one, he played a World War 2 pilot who lets loose his cargo of bombs, even though his plane has yet to take off. The show was a big comedown for the diminutive comic. Good for fans of Lennie and Dianne, bad for fans of 'The Worker'.
Peters & Lee continued to work in theatre and summer shows, but their popularity was never the same again after this. Eventually, they parted company. Lennie died in 1992. Dianne went on to appear in Jim Davidson's X-rated pantomimes ( as did Charlie ).
The classic sitcom 'Citizen Smith' made a delightful reference to the duo in one episode. Attending a talent contest in dark glasses, Wolfie reminds his girlfriend that an old lady asked them for an autograph. "That's because she thought we were Peters & Lee!", laughs Shirley.
