Toogood, Selwyn

Long time figure in New Zealand broadcasting from radio plays of the 1930s up to the immensely popular television programmes It’s in the Bag and Beauty, Beast and others...

Born in Wellington on 4 April 1916, Selwyn Toogood said he was not educated but attended Wellesley College and Wellington College. He left school during the Depression in 1932 and worked in a warehouse as message boy for 5 shillings a week. He managed cinemas from 1938-40. and served with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Western Desert, Greece, Crete and Italy from 1940-46.

Selwyn made his first public appearance in the Wellington Town Hall, aged 2 and a half, as Cupid' at the charity fancy dress party. He was first associated with Broadcasting as an actor in 1936 and played 'Cliff' in a local soap opera 'One Man's Family.

From 1936 to the mid-sixties he appeared in many radio and stage plays. He was a free lance broadcaster from 1946-51, when he joined Lintas Advertising as radio director. His radio shows included 'Lux Money-go-Round', 'Quiz Kids", Lifebuoy Hit Parade', 'Bird's Eye View of the World', and 'It's in the Bag'.

Selwyn appeared in experimental television at the outset. He played in one TV drama, and devised and fronted television's 'Family Game'. He became a free lancer again in 1968.

Selwyn was been closely associated with the travel industry. He devised and fronted 'It's in the Bag' for television and the programme became No. 1 in the ratings. He fronted "Beauty and the Beast' beginning 1 February 1976.

Selwyn was made a Member of Queen's Service Order (QSO) in the 1977 New Year Honours List.