Legendary Hollywood star Judy Garland, who would have turned 104 on June 10, had a love affair with the UK and London since the 1950s. She first visited the city in 1951 following the end of her movie contract with MGM Studios. Her fear of flying saw her arrive via the luxury ship Ile De France, before arriving at her sold-out concert held at the legendary London Palladium on April 9, 1951. She would visit several times over the next 18 years before she died in the city aged 47 on June 22, 1969.
Her final film, I Could Go On Singing, released in 1963, was largely shot there and she enjoyed an historic, five-week concert residency at London’s Talk of the Town nightclub in late 1968 . It is safe to say the city had a special place in her heart. Her fifth and final marriage even took place in the city. Here are just a few of the spots associated with the star which you can visit.
Judy regarded The Gore Hotel London in Kensington her "home away from home". She stayed there during her extended run of performances in the city in the 1960s and even gifted her personal, custom-made gilded bed to the property.
They honour her legacy to this day with a Judy Garland Suite, where she once stayed and which now features the bed meaning fans can sleep in it. In keeping with her larger than life persona the room offers a theatrical experience with silk wallpaper stained-glass windows, and replica ruby slippers.
(Image: Google Streetview)
