Wallace was born in Formby, Lancashire. He served for two-and-a-half years as a lieutenant commander in the Royal Naval Reserve during World War II.
He later worked as a purser with the P&O Line.
In 1945, he joined the BBC, where he began in the European Service, as a presentation assistant and newsreader.
In 1949, he moved to BBC Radio Home Service as an announcer until 1960.
He famously appeared as the announcer on BBC Radio’s The Goon Show (1953 – 1960) and also on The Great Gilhooly, Star Show and Variety Playhouse.
He was one of the original team of BBC Radio Home Service announcers who appeared as a BBC TV newsreader (21st July 1954 – 15th May 1957) on News and Newsreel.
He was remembered for always taking off his glasses at the end of a news bulletin.
In 1960, he was briefly a presenter on BBC Radio’s Today.
In his spare time, he was a keen cricketer and a member of Surrey CCC.
He died suddenly from a heart attack aged 48. BBC colleague John Snagge gave the address at his memorial service.
Personal information
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