Don Estelle Pickfords man in one episode (1969) and an ARP Warden called Gerald in three more (1970). He eventually landed the role of Gunner "Lofty" Sugden in the British sitcom, "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" which was first broadcast in 1974 and ran until 1981. Windsor Davies often took the micky out of Lofty in the episodes. The character was given the ironic nickname of "Lofty" because of Estelle's short stature. Estelle had a powerful tenor voice, and had a Number 1 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1975 with a semi-comic version of "Whispering Grass", followed by a cover
Estelle Thomson Estelle Thomson Estelle Thomson (née Comrie-Smith) (1894 – 6 September 1953) was an Australian naturalist and botanical artist. She authored a number of books, compiled a weekly newspaper column, and gave talks on the radio about Australian wildflowers. Estelle Comrie-Smith was born in 1894 in Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of photographer and artist, George Comrie-Smith and his wife Ethel (née Thomson). Her parents were naturalists and inspired Estelle's interest through family holidays to the Scottish Highlands and the Lake District. She attended Calder House School at Seascale, Cumberland, England and later studied physical culture in Dartford, Kent, after which she taught