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William Edward Cotton (May 6, 1899 – March 25, 1969), better known as Billy Cotton, was a British band leader and entertainer, one of the few whose orchestra survived the dance band era. Today, he is mainly remembered as a 1950s and 1960s radio and television personality, although his musical talent emerged as early as the 1920s. In his younger years Billy Cotton was also an amateur footballer, an accomplished racing driver and the owner of a Gipsy Moth which he piloted himself.

Born in Lambeth, London, Cotton was a choirboy and then started his musical career as a drummer, an occupation he also pursued in the army during the First World War. In the interwar years he had several jobs such as bus driver before setting up his own orchestra, the London Savannah Band, in 1924. At first a straight dance band, over the years the London Savannah Band more and more tended towards music hall/vaudeville entertainment, introducing all sorts of visual and verbal humour in between songs. Famous musicians that played in Billy Cotton's band during the 1920s and 1930s included Arthur Rosebery, Syd Lipton and Nat Gonella. The band was also noted for their African American trombonist and tap dancer, Ellis Jackson. Their signature tune was "Somebody Stole My Gal", and they made numerous records – 78s, that is – for Decca.

The London Savannah Band in 1925

During the Second World War Cotton and his band toured France with the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). After the war, he started his successful Sunday lunchtime radio show on BBC, the Billy Cotton Band Show, which ran for more than 20 years from 1949. It regularly opened with the band's signature tune and Cotton's call of "Wakey Wakey". From 1957, it was also broadcast on BBC television.

In 1962 Billy Cotton suffered a stroke. He died in 1969 while watching a boxing match at Wembley.

His son, Bill Cotton, later became BBC's head of variety. He is related to TV presenter Fearne Cotton, as his son Bill Cotton Jr. is a cousin of her grandfather.

• Find-A-Grave profile for Billy Cotton

An excellent biography of Billy Cotton was written by Scottish author John Maxwell, published by Jupiter Books Ltd, London in 1976. This gives a detailed account of Bill's life and career. A few snippets not previously mentioned on this page may interest fans of the great man. Bill enlisted in World War I by falsifying his age. He saw service in Malta and Egypt before landing at Gallipoli in the middle of an artillery barrage. Later in the war he was recommended for a commission and learned to fly Bristol Freighter aircraft. He flew solo for the first time on 1st April, 1918, the day the Royal Flying Corps became the Royal Air Force. He was still not yet 19 years of age!