 He started his career as an actor, but Shaw Taylor's authoritative yet
approachable personality made him the perfect TV presenter. He is best
remembered the pioneering crime-busting TV show Police 5 (ITV, 1962-92), where
he coined his sign-off catchphrase 'keep 'em peeled'.
Born in 1924 in Hackney, London, he trained as an actor at RADA. His
unexpected shift in career came in 1957 when Associated Television (ATV) called
on Taylor to fill in as a TV announcer for a six-week stint. From this moment
his acting roles gave way to presenting late 1950s/early 1960s game shows such
as Tell the Truth (ITV, 1957-61), Dotto (ITV, 1958-60), Pencil and Paper (ITV,
1960-62) and Password (ITV, 1963).
Taylor's versatility enabled him to feel as much at home presenting Royal
Command Performances as he was commentating on European Figure Skating
Championships. He also presented ITV's Drive-in (1971-78), a motoring precursor
of BBC's Top Gear (1978-), and was occasionally to be found on holiday programme
Wish You Were Here...? (ITV, 1974-2003; 2008-).
Police 5, which he presented from its inception in 1962, was a five-minute
appeal to the public solve crimes - a less sensationalist forerunner of
Crimewatch UK (BBC, 1984-). His enduring association with the programme led to
his appearance as himself (uttering his catchphrase) in the BBC's period cop
drama Ashes to Ashes (2008-10). He was awarded an MBE in 1985.
Eddie Dyja
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FILM & TV CREDITS