Hubert Gregg

Hubert Gregg (1914-2004) began his stage career at the age of 14 years, with a part in George Bernard Shaw's play St Joan and at 18 years he played Hamlet. A lifetime packed with stage and screen work (acting and directing) followed, as well as presenting, for 35 years, the wonderful BBC Radio 2 programme Thanks For The Memory. However, Hubert Gregg is undoubtedly going to be best remembered for writing two songs I'm Going to Get Lit Up When The Lights Go Up in London (1943) and Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner (circa 1946). The second, as well as becoming one of the folk anthems for Londoners, was also the original signature tune to the popular television series Dixon of Dock Green, starring Jack Warner, who also recorded the song.

Hubert Gregg had the additional, curious distinction of having been put on one of Hitler's black lists, on account of his perfect German, used to broadcast propaganda to Germany during WWII.