Maxon, Keith – ‘Allo ‘Allo: Grantham man married LeBonk

Keith Maxon (b c1943)

FORMER Grantham rock musician Keith Maxon hit the headlines when he married actress Sue Hodge best known as Mimi LeBonk in award-winning TV sitcom ‘Allo, ‘Allo! at Burton, near Lincoln.

The reception at the Wig and Mitre pub, Lincoln, was packed with celebrities including Emmerdale villain Christopher Chittell, ‘Allo, ‘Allo!’s Gorden Kaye and Russ Abbott sidekick Bella Emberg.

The Rev Jim Farley conducted the ceremony and St John in Spittlegate choir,  with whom Keith was once a chorister  sang.

He has travelled all over the world with Sue and looked after her musical needs in her one woman show, ‘Allo ‘Allo Again Mimi and Me.

Keith who has since taken the name Keith ‘Paddington’ Richards is musical director for the pantomimes at Theatre Royal, Lincoln’s, Hull New Theatre and The Broadway Theatre in Peterborough.

Born in Dysart Road, he went to Earlesfield School and St Hugh’s.

He was a member of local groups 87th Precinct and Gingerbread with Trevor Leeson, Colin Haddock and John Smith in the late 1960s, before leaving the group to pursue a solo career.

After several recordings for BBC Radio 1, and making another single for Pye records called “Pollution”, the group were given a contract for a summer season at Summerland in Douglas, Isle of Man in 1971.

It was at the end of that season that Gingerbread disbanded and Keith took his place in one of the other bands working the same season in Summerland, The Vacations.

This band was renamed Whisky Mac and went on to achieve some success as resident musicians at venues on the night-club circuit.  Probably their biggest success was winning heats of “New Faces” on several occasions and making it through to the finals.

Around this time, Keith was partner to Trish Fields, an excellent vocalist with the band, who was also in demand for commercials etc., for the likes of Birds Eye and others. Her voice was regularly heard on television ads in those days.

Before moving to Burton, he had lived at Corby Glen for 17 years.