Phil Silvers, Sergeant Bilko, Newcastle, Bilko, loveabler American army

Actor Phil Silvers took the bookies to the cleaners in true Sergeant Bilko fashion. The man who immortalised Bilko, the loveabler American army spiv, gave a real life demostration of how to make a fast buck at Gosforth races in Newcastle. Phil, who was starring in 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' at Newcastle's Theatre Royal, backed Record Run in the 3 o'clock race. It Stormed home at 6-5 on. But the bookie who paid out Phil, Mr Alec Lewis, was still smiling. A chat with the 63 year old star made his day - even though it was at the wrong end of a bundle of fivers. 3rd April, 1974