The Duanes

From Newbridge in County Kildare, Ireland, "The Duane Family" had a successful run on 'Opportunity Knocks' having won at their first attempt in 1977. Later the group were awarded the coveted ‘Variety Shield of Great Britain’, in recognition of their talent and for winning ‘Opportunity Knocks’ six times. Around 1980, the line-up changed from the “Duane Family” and they became the “The Duanes”, headed to the bright lights of London. During that time they appeared on numerous television shows, including the Tommy Cooper Show, the Big Top with Bernie Winters and Snorbet his dog, Keith Harris and Orville Show, Musik-Laden (a Top of the Pops equivalent in Germany), Music Show on Dutch television, Bibi Baskin on RTE, the Shay Healy Show, the Late Late Show and at summer cabaret in Bournemouth, Hastings, Western Supermare and elsewhere throughout Britain.