Mark Wynter was born Terence Sidney Lewis in Woking, Surrey, as one of six siblings. His musical journey began as a boy soprano at his church. After leaving school and taking a job as a shop assistant, his passion for singing led him to perform in local venues. In 1959, at just 16, talent manager Ray Mackender discovered him performing with a dance-hall band—and that chance meeting launched his career.
Deciding on a more showbiz-friendly name, he changed from Terry Lewis to Mark Wynter (initially Mark Lewis) by deed poll—a move his manager believed would enhance his marketability. Shortly afterward, he landed cabaret gigs in London and made his TV debut in mid‑1960
Pop Chart Highlights (1960–1963)
Wynter’s career skyrocketed in the early 1960s. Signed to Decca Records in 1960, his debut single, “Image of a Girl”, climbed to No. 11 in the UK charts. Two more Decca singles reached the Top 30 before a contract change to Pye Records. With Pye, he scored some of his biggest hits:
“Venus in Blue Jeans” — peaked at No. 4 in 1962
“Go Away Little Girl” — reached No. 6
Other charting singles during this era included “Shy Girl” (No. 28) and “It’s Almost Tomorrow” (No. 12). He was also named “Most Promising Newcomer” by New Musical Express in 1961 and even performed on American Bandstand during a short U.S. tour.
Film Cameos & Aviation Ordeal
Wynter began branching into acting in 1962 with a minor role in the film Just for Fun, a musical comedy and follow-up to It’s Trad, Dad!. He also appeared in Just for You in 1964, and later starred in the 1969 horror-comedy The Haunted House of Horror (also known as Horror House) .
On 8 April 1968, Wynter survived the grisly BOAC Flight 712 crash at Heathrow—one of the tragic air disasters of the era—but thankfully escaped alive from the burning Boeing 707.
Transition to Musical Theatre & Stage Career
By the early 1970s, Wynter pivoted from pop charts to theatre, landing roles in West End musicals and plays:
Lead in Conduct Unbecoming at the Queen’s Theatre (London, and later in Australia)
Part of the cast in On the Twentieth Century (with Julia McKenzie) and Charley’s Aunt
Starred in Side by Side by Sondheim, Valmouth, The King and I, Hans Andersen, Barnum, Charlie Girl (with Cyd Charisse and Paul Nicholas), plus roles in Robert and Elizabeth and as King and even the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera
In the West End and regional theatres, Wynter delivered standout performances in musicals such as Cats, Sweet Charity, and toured nationally in productions like South Pacific.
Radio and TV Stints
The 1980s and ’90s brought Wynter into broadcast media:
In 1981, he succeeded Peter Davison as host of the ITV children’s TV show Once Upon a Time
He became a familiar voice on BBC Radio 2 during the early ’90s, presenting daytime programs and documentaries, notably Happy Times on American entertainer Danny Kaye—an award‑nominated feature
Later Musical Releases & Tours
Wynter never fully left music behind. Though album releases remained sparse, interest in his legacy grew:
2000: Go Away Little Girl: The Pye Anthology (double-CD) compiled his Pye Records output
2017: A triple-CD retrospective was released
That year, he also toured the UK with The Solid Gold Rock ’n’ Roll Show, alongside legends Eden Kane, Marty Wilde and Mike Berry
A 2021 tour was reportedly scheduled (though may have been delayed by events from 2020 onward)
More recently, he released new material such as “The Parable of Love” and a contemporary rendition of Go Away Little Girl
Current Activities & Legacy
Now living in Sussex with his wife Emma and their three children, Wynter continues to perform—and remains connected to his 1960s star roots. He’s active in Agatha Christie-themed theatre tours, namespace shows, and possibly upcoming musical events, such as a concert at the London Palladium titled At Last, It’s Summer with a 35-piece orchestra.
Why Mark Wynter Still Matters
Pop teen idol turned enduring performer: Wynter successfully shifted from chart-oriented pop into a long-standing career in theatre and broadcasting—a rare route compared to many of his contemporaries.
Chart legacy: His covers, especially “Venus in Blue Jeans” and “Go Away Little Girl,” tapped into the Brill Building pop sensibility and embodied mid‑’60s UK music trends.
Dramatic resilience: Surviving BOAC Flight 712, Wynter faced adversity and continued pursuing entertainment, which shows both courage and determination.
Versatile craftsperson: From musicals to Shakespeare, from children’s TV to radio documentaries, Wynter has worn many hats in the entertainment world.
Legacy releases: Anthologies and contemporary releases reinforce his importance—not just as nostalgia—but as a living, breathing artist contributing new work.
Timeline Snapshot
| Period | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1943–1959 | Born in Woking. Early musical experiences. |
| 1959–1961 | Discovered, renamed to Mark Wynter; Decca debut. “Image of a Girl” hits No. 11. |
| 1962–1963 | Signed by Pye; major hits “Venus in Blue Jeans” (No. 4), “Go Away Little Girl” (No. 6); early film roles. |
| 1968 | Survived BOAC Flight 712 crash. |
| 1970s–1990s | Major presence in West End musicals; film/TV roles; radio and children’s TV presenting. |
| 2000–2025 | Anthology releases; nostalgia tours; new musical recordings and concerts. Continues performing in Sussex and beyond. |
Selected Credits
Singles: “Venus in Blue Jeans,” “Go Away Little Girl,” “It’s Almost Tomorrow,” “Shy Girl.”
Films: Just for Fun (1963), Just for You (1964), The Haunted House of Horror (1969).
Musicals & Plays: Conduct Unbecoming, The Phantom of the Opera, Charlie Girl, Sweet Charity, South Pacific, Cats.
TV: Once Upon a Time (children’s show, 1981).
Radio: BBC Radio 2; Happy Times documentary.