IT was a year of extremes – from the pomp of Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee to the snarling Sex Pistols song God Save The Queen.
Yet bridging society’s gaps with humour through 1977 was Mike Yarwood – impressionist, comedian and a welcome relief from the nation’s many troubles.
On December 25 that year an incredible 21.4million of us watched his festive TV special, delighted by his spot-on portrayals of the big names of the time, from PM Jim Callaghan to the then Prince Charles.
Among them was the Prince’s own mum, the Queen, who was reported to have delayed the Royal Family’s Christmas lunch by an hour so she could watch the show.
It still holds the record for the largest Christmas Day television audience, according to the Royal Variety Charity.