Shirley Bassey
- Teen actor
Shirley Bassey is a Welsh singer known for both her powerful operatic voice and for recording the theme songs to the James Bond films 'Goldfinger' (1964); 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1971) and 'Moonraker' (1979).
Born on Bute Street in Butetown (also known as 'Tiger Bay') in the docklands area of Cardiff, she was was the sixth and youngest child of Henry Bassey, from Nigeria, and Eliza Jane Start, from the north-east of England, but grew up in the adjacent community of Splott.
After leaving Splott Secondary Modern School at the age of 14, Bassey found work at the local Curran Steels factory, while singing in public houses and clubs in the evenings and on weekends. In 1953, she signed her first professional contract and went on to work for the impresario Jack Hylton. She recorded her first single in 1956.
Acted in
I Can't Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh Story
2024
as Self
60 Songs: BBC Two at 60
2024
The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall
2022
as self
The Sound of 007
2022
as Self (archive footage)
The Art of Dissent
2021
as Self - Subject (archive footage)
St David's Day at the BBC
2021
as Self
David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey
2016
as Dame Shirley Bassey
More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On
2014
as Performer
Everything or Nothing
2012
as Self (archive footage)
The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012
2012
as Self - Performer
…Sings Musicals
2012
as Self (archive footage)
Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes
2011
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
…Sings Neil Diamond
2010
as Self (archive footage)
Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall
2009
as Self
Dame Shirley Bassey: BBC Electric Proms
2009
as self
Another Audience with Shirley Bassey
2006
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace
2002
as Self
An Audience with Des O'Connor
2001
Shirley Bassey: Divas Are Forever
2000
as Herself
The Bond Sound: The Music of 007
2000
as Self
La Passione
1996
as Herself
The World of James Bond
1995
An Audience with Shirley Bassey
1995
as Self
Shirley Bassey - You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet
1985
as Shirley Bassey
Summertime Special
1981
Shirley Bassey: A Special Lady
1980
as Herself
Auf los geht's los
1977
as Self
Shirley Bassey
1976
The Muppet Show
1976
as Self - Special Guest Star
Ein Kessel Buntes
1972
as Self - Musician
Le Grand Échiquier
1972
as Self - Main Guest
Wünsch dir was
1969
as Self
Europarty
1967
as Self
The Danny Kaye Show
1963
as Self
Viña del Mar International Song Festival
1963
as Self - Musical Guest
The Bing Crosby Show
1961
as Self
Morecambe & Wise (multiple series)
1961
as Self