A rare and interesting find.

It was an idea about to happen and the beginning of what was to become a cult British Television show. The photograph also captures a defining moment in the career of Ian Hendry.

Perhaps the earliest portrait picture of Ian Hendry as he was about to take on a new and exciting role as Dr. David Keel.

Taken by ABC Television at the end of 1960 for use in promotion of their new forthcoming series……called The Avengers!

On the rear of the photograph is attached a typed description of the forthcoming programme and the characters that Ian and Patrick Macnee would both play.

Stamped in blue ink is the ABC TELEVISION PICTURE COPYRIGHT FREE IF ABC CREDITED.

In blue ink (encircled) it reads ‘Ian Hendry 3″ s/c Tel Lancs Weds wanted Tues’. Beneath is written in pencil what looks like ‘Used 6-12-01‘ but most likely it is ‘6-12-61‘.

The main description reads as follows:

Thirteen weeks as ABC’s “Police Surgeon” has brought such a following for IAN HENDRY, who celebrates his thirtieth birthday on 13th January, that heads now turn in the street as he passes and he is in demand for Personal Appearances. ABC have rewarded Ian with the starring role in their new adventure series “THE AVENGERS” which will be seen at 10 p.m. in the Midlands and North commencing 7th January.

In the one-hour series, IAN HENDRY will again play a doctor, but this time he will use his medical practice as a cover for his work in fighting crime under the instructions of secret service man PATRICK MACNEE, who will co-star.

At home with his wife Joe in their converted naval craft on the river at Chiswick IAN likes nothing more than messing about in boats, and he is also turning his hand to playwrighting – he aims one day to direct and write as well as act.

And as ABC Televison would have wished. Picture courtesy of ABC Television.

Photograph: Front

Photograph: Back

Photograph: Back Description

For further reading on Ian Hendry and The Avengers you may be interested in:

A Case Reopened : The Avengers TV Series 1 (1961)

Should Ian Hendry Have Stayed In The Avengers?

Comment and Share Please! We love to read all your comments and appreciate it when you take time to share the articles. It really helps a site like ours in the search engines too! Please share and comment on this article using the form below:

Further Reading

A detailed account of the life and work of Ian Hendry in the new biography:

Read:  ‘Send in the Clowns – The Yo Yo Life Of Ian Hendry’ by Gabriel Hershman

Comment and Share Please! We love to read all your comments and appreciate it when you take time to share the articles. It really helps a site like ours in the search engines too! Please share and comment on this article using the form below:

Official Website of Ian Hendry – Homepage