It was a game watched by barely 4,500 fans but among them was the legendary comedian and presenter Jimmy Tarbuck who became one of the most familiar and popular faces on British TV screens for many years.

A Watford Observer photographer captured these images of ‘Tarby’ visiting Vicarage Road on April 30, 1966 when he saw Watford face Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, who changed their named to AFC Bournemouth for the start of the 1971-72 season.

A Division Three match watched by an attendance of 4,517 may have seemed an unlikely place for the entertainer to spend a Saturday afternoon, but the well-known Liverpool fan was pictured chatting to fellow occupants of the Vicarage Road directors’ box, including chairman Jim Bonser.

In conversation in the directors' boxIn conversation in the directors' box (Image: Watford Observer)

Tarbuck, who is now aged 84 and touring again this summer, had already established himself as a household name by the time this game was played, having replaced Bruce Forsyth as the host of variety show Sunday Night at the London Palladium the previous year.

A number of fans appear to have noticed the presence of the famous face at the gameA number of fans appear to have noticed the presence of the famous face at the game (Image: Watford Observer)

The match was Watford's penultimate home game of the season and a goal from Dennis Bond was enough to give Ken Furphy's side the points in a 1-0 win.

The comedian looks to be enjoying his visit to Vicarage RoadThe comedian looks to be enjoying his visit to Vicarage Road (Image: Watford Observer)