Billie Anthony
Billie Anthony (born Philomena McGeachie Levy; 11 October 1932 – 5 January 1991) was a Scottish female singer. She is best known for her Top 10 hit version of "This Ole House", which despite chart competition from other versions of the same song, reached No. 4 in the UK chart. Early life Born Philomena McGeachie Levy in Glasgow, Scotland, her mother, Lily, was a talented dancer, whilst her father was a song and dance man, and stage manager at the Glasgow Empire. Levy's godmother was Gracie Fields. Although her parents divorced when she was eighteen days old, she spent her entire childhood in and around the theatre, and wanted a career on the stage as a dancer. Initially, her mother was against her going into show business, so upon leaving school, she reluctantly agreed to train as a dressmaker. However, her affinity with the theatre proved too powerful. In 1946, when still only fourteen, she ran away from home and joined the chorus of a touring show as one of "May Moxon's Young Ladies". Five years later she met Peter Elliott, who was part of a famous show business family called The Musical Elliotts. They developed an instant friendship and,