TV legend Daryl Somers' bizarre backstage behaviour on Hey Hey It's Saturday
In 1971, Hey Hey It’s Saturday first appeared on Aussie screens and nearly five decades on, the iconic show is still remembered.
Now, regular guest Red Symons has revealed one of the most unusual habits of show business legend and host of the show, Daryl Somers.
In an interview with Studio 10, Symons finally confirmed a long-standing rumour about Somers’ bizarre backstage behaviour.
Studio 10’s Craig Bennett asked Symons: “There was this crazy rumour, Red. Maybe you can put it to bed... or take the covers off it? Daryl would wear slippers with bells on them so people would skedaddle when they knew he was coming?”
The 69-year-old confirmed that the rumour was indeed true.
Laughing in response, Symons said: “'I'm not sure what his intention was, but it was useful to know he was coming!”
Symons also reflected on his segment on Hey Hey It’s Saturday, titled Red Faces.
“The luxury of Red Faces was there was nothing at stake and the prize was nothing!” he said.
“It was an opportunity for people that had little party tricks that they did in the pub. That's what was very nice about it.
“Whereas when you get to the next-level competitiveness of the various shows there has been since, it's all so desperately important and there's so much money involved and this is your entire career.
“But on Red Faces nobody took it seriously, not the audience, not the performers and not the judges,” he explained.
The stars of the iconic show returned for a brief revival in 2009, following its axing in 1999.
However, the 20-episode comeback was cancelled in 2010 despite the impressive line-up of celebrity guests.
Kylie Minogue, Rex Lee and Toby Abbot were just some of the famous faces who appeared on the show for its short-lived return.
Were you a fan of Hey Hey It’s Saturday? Let us know in the comments below.