Simon Dee

Carl Nicholas Henty-Dodd, better known as Simon Dee, was born in Ottawa, Canada, on 28 July 1935.   Best remembered as the host of the twice-weekly chat show Dee Time, he was dropped by London Weekend Television and faded from our screens.

 He began work as an actor, and was the first voice to be heard on Radio Caroline.  He later worked on Radio 1, and hosted the Monday edition of Monday Spin and Top of the Pops.  His big break came when he was given his own chat show on BBC television which is remembered for its introduction (It’s Siiiiiiimon Dee!) and closing sequence in which Dee drove off in a Jaguar E-type with an anonymous blond.  Dee also turned up in cameo roles in films, including The Italian Job in 1969.  He was first imprisoned for debt in March 1968, in Brixton prison  

Due to disagreement with BBC bosses about the show, Dee decided to take up an offer to move to the independent channel London Weekend Television for £100,000 for two years from January 1970. However, he continued to fall out with that station's management, especially David Frost but the show was later sensationally cancelled.  Dee was forced to sign on for unemployment benefit and, unable to revive his show business career, eventually took a job as a bus driver.  He also had several court appearances and some short jail terms in the 1970s over more unpaid debts.  

Dee has found some brief broadcasting jobs since that time, such as in the late 1980s including a period hosting the Sounds of the 60’s on Radio 2.