Noddy Holder Brings Humor and Heart to Yorkshire Television’s Play It Again, Stewpot in 1974
A newly revisited clip from Yorkshire Television’s Play It Again, Stewpot offers a charming snapshot of Noddy Holder at the height of Slade’s 1970s success. Broadcast in 1974, the interview captures the band’s unmistakable spirit: loud on record, relaxed in conversation, and never taking themselves too seriously.
Introduced as the programme’s special guest, Holder immediately sets the tone with self-deprecating humor, joking about his nickname and brushing off comments about his appearance. Asked about the origins of the name “Noddy,” he explains it was a school nickname, half-remembered and worn lightly, much like the public persona he projects throughout the interview.
The conversation quickly turns reflective as Holder looks back on Slade’s early days, including their pre-fame years and skinhead image. Rather than distancing himself from that period, he speaks fondly of it, emphasizing that the band had just as much fun before the hit records arrived. For Holder, enjoyment has always been central to Slade’s identity, both onstage and off.
That sense of fun, he suggests, is exactly what audiences respond to. Slade’s live shows, he explains, are built around laughter, energy, and a refusal to treat rock stardom with excessive seriousness. It is a philosophy that helped the band connect so powerfully with fans during their peak years.
Holder also offers insight into Slade’s songwriting process, noting that inspiration can strike quickly or take weeks to refine. Some songs come together in half an hour, while others require constant revision, a reminder that even the band’s most anthemic hits were shaped through patience as well as spontaneity.
One of the more revealing moments comes when the host contrasts Holder’s calm Wolverhampton accent in conversation with his famously powerful singing voice. Holder responds with practical honesty, crediting simple vocal care such as honey, lemon juice, and daily gargling while on tour. It is a grounded, almost domestic detail that contrasts with Slade’s explosive recorded sound.
The segment concludes with performance footage of “Cum On Feel the Noize,” captured during a recent concert tour, reinforcing the contrast between Holder’s easygoing demeanor and the raw force of Slade on stage. As the series draws to a close, the interview stands as a vivid reminder of why Noddy Holder became one of British rock’s most beloved frontmen: approachable, humorous, and utterly committed to giving audiences a good time.