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- Barry Evans was born on 18 June 1943 in Guildford, Surrey, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Mind Your Language (1977), Journey to Murder (1971) and Journey to the Unknown (1968). He died on 11 February 1997 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Actor and comedian fondly remembered as the curmudgeonly reprobate Claude Jeremiah Greengrass in the long-running nostalgic police drama Heartbeat (1992). Greengrass had been written as a minor background character, but -- given a fair amount of latitude for interpreting his part -- Maynard was able to infuse the old rascal with outsize personality and humour which resulted into his becoming a popular mainstay. The son of a gardener and a laundry worker, Maynard (born Walter Frederick George Williams, he later adopted his nom de plume from Charles Gordon Maynard, creator of 'Maynard's Wine Gums') came from relatively humble beginnings. Displaying an early aptitude for music, he learned to sing and dance, play ukulele, mandolin and guitar.
By the age of nine he began performing in local clubs and music halls. From there, he progressed to repertory theatre, touring army camps with Jon Pertwee, making a few recordings for Decca and EMI, even managing a gig as a stand-up comic -- in between a strip show -- at The Windmill in London. In the 50s Maynard emerged as a proper TV star (sharing top billing with Terry Scott) in Great Scott, It's Maynard (1955). Having suddenly become a household name, he was now earning £ 1000 a week. Ironically, his ambition of becoming 'a serious actor' backfired and a return to repertory led to much reduced circumstances and a hiatus in his career. Though he eventually appeared in more than 30 films, he regarded none of them as particularly worthwhile and declared in a 2013 interview: "I enjoyed doing them. It was a laugh, but they weren't great. They damaged my reputation".
In the mid-70s, having very wisely returned to his forte with consecutive hits in TV sitcoms: as a roving-eyed widower in The Life of Riley (1975), as the hapless, klutzy protagonist of Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt (1974), and as grouchy, relentlessly misanthropic Fred Moffatt, forever evading and outwitting his creditors in The Gaffer (1981). In between, he also had diverse guest roles, including in, among others, Worzel Gummidge (1979), Minder (1979) and Dalziel and Pascoe (1996). Between 2003 and 2008, he also hosted his own -- sometimes controversial -- radio chat show on BBC Leicester, Maynard's Bill of Fare.
Having suffered a stroke in 2000 and forced to leave Heartbeat after season ten, Maynard eventually resurfaced in occasional guest appearances for the 2003 spin-off, The Royal (2003). Subsequently confined to wheelchairs and mobility scooters he latterly gave lectures at universities on humour and acting.
Bill Maynard passed away in a Leicestershire hospital on 30 March 2018 at the age of 89.- Actress
Anne Sellors was born in 1952, in Sheffield, UK. A clever and creative child, she excelled at school. Her love of theater and cinema led her to go on to study drama. Her love of children, her fun loving nature and her desire and willingness to encourage others' potential led her to take her drama education and her extra curricular knowledge of the same into the classroom, where she became a well loved, admired and fondly remembered Drama Teacher at Chaucer School.
Anne enjoyed a happy and fulfilling personal life, not only enjoying her many creative hobbies, but in having the company of a large circle of friends, former students still making contact, a close relationship with her brother and sister and the blessed birth of a very much treasured son.
As Anne's students grew older and left school, many went on to professional careers within the industry and they could not forget the very wonderful, inspiring lady who had set them on that path. One such former student was involved in making a film locally, which would be shown on television and they had already secured some notable names to take part. The former student asked Anne if she would consider taking part. Anne thought this a great compliment and that taking part would be great fun. Anne's role in the piece is a choice role for an extra, because it makes her stand out of the crowd and it was a great respect which desired her to stand out of the crowd and it was a great sense of fun which allowed it.
Anne's lessons were legendary, or 'bonkers', described as kids favorite lessons, because of Anne's infectious personality, warmth, genuine nature, empathy, scatty behavior, and that she was funny, fun, encouraging, bubbly, always had time for her students, went above and beyond what was expected and made everyone feel like a star!
Many years later, Anne was ecstatic to welcome the birth of a grandson and as with all things in life; Anne was a great support to the new parents, as well as to the baby.
Anne retired from teaching and everyone was very sad to see her go; the students, the teachers, the dinner ladies and the cleaners; everyone would miss Anne!
Anne enjoyed her retirement, with visits from family, friends and former students, some of whom she'd inspired to become teachers. She also spent much time traveling, reading, gardening and enjoying the local amateur dramatics.
Sadly, Anne became unexpectedly ill, at a relatively young age and unfortunately no cure was available. Anne was very stoic and humorous to the end. Her family, friends and former students rallied around and supported her admirably.
Anne Sellors passed away peacefully, in Leicester, UK on Tuesday 28th July 2015, aged 63 years.
Anne's family, friends and former students attended a celebration of her life and as a final statement of Anne's inner beauty and great kindness and that of her family; there were no flowers, donations were made to a relevant charity, to help others.- Audrey Ardington was born on 25 June 1937 in the UK. She was an actress, known for The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007), Doctor Who (2005) and The Girl with Brains in Her Feet (1997). She died on 13 June 2019 in Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Susan Shentall was born on 21 May 1934 in England, UK. She was an actress, known for Romeo and Juliet (1954). She was married to Philip Worthington. She died on 18 October 1996 in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Frances Alfred Basil Tomlin is a face well-known to die-hard Star Wars fans. He played the uncredited part of BoShek, a pilot in the Mos Eisley cantina who declines transport for Obi-Wan Kenobi and directs him toward Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). However, Mr. Tomlin's name was unknown until investigative reporter Billy Jensen decided to track him down. Ultimately, Mr. Jensen's efforts led him to Mr. Tomlin's family, who confirmed that the role of BoShek was his claim to fame. With this confirmation, Mr. Tomlin (known to everyone as Tom) has finally secured his place in pop culture.
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Katya Kan was a director and writer, known for Everything Shiny is Gold (2020), Na Zare (2018) and Obsidian City (2023). She died on 8 July 2023 in Leicestershire, England, UK.- Isobel Barnett was born on 30 June 1918 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK. She was a writer, known for What's My Line (1951), Leisure and Pleasure (1951) and Twice Twenty (1955). She was married to Geoffrey Barnett. She died on 20 October 1980 in Cossington, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Bernard Jukes was born on 23 April 1899 in Gravesend, Kent, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Sap from Syracuse (1930) and The Torso Murder Mystery (1939). He was married to Elsie Wagstaff. He died on 29 December 1939 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Laurianne (with the name of Laurie Ann Van Vleck) had graduated early from Madison High school in Houston, Texas, and was awarded Outstanding Girl Graduate and attendance awards. Under the name of Laurie Ann Shellorne, she attended the University of Houston and University of Texas at Austin with a major in psychology and a minor in music. Switched to Radio-TV-Film and earned a B.S. in 1970. Took additional coursework toward a Masters in Drama Education after a stint in the public schools as a teachers' aide. Further studies in telecommunications, TV production, acting and scriptwriting led to an interest in Office Technology. An earlier interest in graphic arts developed into a typesetting/graphic design/technical writing career which culminated in the ownership of Docu-Prep Express Design Studio. Concurrently, Laurianne still continued to act and model. Also, she was active in the size acceptance movement. She was active in standup comedy and enjoyed karaoke.
- Courtney Hope was born on 19 December 1886 in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Dead on Course (1952), Meet Simon Cherry (1949) and The Man in Black (1950). She died on 17 January 1975 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Carlo Curley was born on 24 August 1952 in Monroe, North Carolina, USA. He died on 11 August 2012 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Beatrice Collier was born on 27 December 1886 in Strand, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Apache Dancer (1913). She was married to Peter Stapleton Shaw (politician). She died in 1965 in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Romilly Lunge Romilly Lunge was a British film actor. He made a total of 15 films and appeared in many stage plays between 1933 and 1940, he died in August 1994 in England. During World War II he served as an officer in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
A families personal testimony... Hillcrest farm in Warton, North Warwickshire, was a rural place far removed from the bright lights of London and Milan. For a while after the war however, the farm was home to film actor Romilly Lunge. Ernest Romilly Maundrel Lunge was quite a reclusive and private person, but during the '70s after he'd moved to Ashby de la Zouch and lived a more relaxed lifestyle, he indulged me and we chatted many times about his former pre war life. About his acting on stage and in the movies and learning to sing opera in the La Scala theatre in Milan. He entered the war and joined the Royal Navy and having trained at various naval bases he left Loch Ewe in Scotland and ended up in Ceylon, working in the development of Anti-Submarine warfare and sonar to better detect the German U-Boats. He told me the future Prince Phillip once visited the Navel Base in Ceylon under a shroud of secrecy and Romilly had been instructed to show the Greek Prince some of the secret research and development in anti submarine warfare. Whilst based at Columbo he'd been invited to discrete cocktail soiree's up the hill from the base; these were held by the famous celebrity staying on the island, none other than theatre and cinema actor/playwright Noèl Coward. Romilly had acted and performed in films and on stage with quite a selection of well known actors and actresses before the war like Vivian Leigh, Lilli Palmer, Rex Harrison, George Arliss, Bruce Cabot, Enid Stamp Taylor and was interestingly called as a character witness in the sad demise of Miss Stamp-Taylor. He took a romantic interest in the actress Margaretta Scott with skiing trips to Arosa in the Swiss Alps in the '30s and a lazy summer spent around the North Devon coast at Woolacombe Bay. He had spent a year living in Milan in the latter half of 1929 and was voice trained by the famous singer Caruso later with the younger Beniamino Gigli. He spent a year living in the spa town of Wiesbaden Germany in the early 30's and that Hitchcock had once interviewed him for the movie "Secret Agent" and he had made a film with the Sir Gerald du Maurier studio company. After World War II he thought sadly that so many things had changed in war torn Britain and that the Swiss Alps had now been discovered and invaded by the "A Lister's" as we'd call them today; the innocence had gone, he'd grown up, I think he found his acting a bit tedious. Many fan letters from admiring young women did follow him though. I remember him talking about a movie back in the day called "Owd Bob" 1924 and the book and that this story had inspired him to be a farm and land owner - he never shied away from work or duty. After his quite eminent and prestigious father had died before the end of World War II, his mother moved back from the family home at 19 Holland Park London to Ashby de la Zouch and took up residence there.
Following the declaration of peace and on discharge from naval duties he bought two adjacent farms in the village of Warton, near Atherstone, North Warwickshire and made his living as a mixed arable and dairy farmer, it was not until one of his films was shown on TV that the village became aware of his previous life. So this brought Romilly to the vicinity and he chose the Hillcrest Farm, sister farm to Maypole Farm, as his home - just over the county in fine Warwickshire. It was 100 acres or so and quite large for a single inexperienced landowner, so from 1947 to 1966 he ran the farm quite successfully. His mother died in 1948, he hadn't been there long, but he carried on and eventually sold up and moved to Ashby de la Zouch. - Composer
- Soundtrack
Laurel Aitken was born on 22 April 1927 in Santiago, Cuba. He was a composer, known for Absolute Beginners (1986), Call the Midwife (2012) and Skinhead Attitude (2003). He was married to Sandra Olga. He died on 17 July 2005 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK.- Victor Lusk was born in 1863 in Liverpool, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Cry for Justice (1919) and The Story of the Rosary (1920). He died on 8 February 1931 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Producer
- Script and Continuity Department
- Writer
John G. Temple was born on 8 August 1933 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK. John G. was a producer and writer, known for The Cuckoo Waltz (1975), Coronation Street (1960) and Lex Again (1969). John G. was married to Isabel ?. John G. died on 15 January 2018 in Rothley, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK.- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Charlotte Bidmead was born on 13 January 1915 in Wandsworth, Surrey, England, UK. She was an actress and writer, known for Champagne Charlie (1944), The Coventry Nativity Play (1947) and The Immortal Hour (1939). She was married to Frederic Armstrong. She died on 25 January 2009 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, UK.- Actress
- Writer
Marion Knight was born on 29 April 1945 in England, UK. She was an actress and writer, known for Citizen 63 (1963). She died on 29 April 2013 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, UK.- Alyce Sandor was born on 16 December 1908 in Budapest, Hungary. She was an actress, known for Autumn Crocus (1934) and Lady Precious Stream (1938). She was married to Dr. John Orde Poynton. She died in 1959 in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Leslie Twelvetrees was born on 17 July 1909 in Dublin, Ireland. He was an actor, known for Coronation Street (1960), The Odd Man (1960) and Family Solicitor (1961). He died in 1984 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Bob Gerard was born on 19 January 1914 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK. He died on 26 January 1990 in South Croxton, Leicestershire, England, UK.
- Soundtrack
Al James was born on 13 January 1946 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK. He died on 16 November 2018 in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England, UK.- Additional Crew
Molly Badham was born on 18 May 1914 in Evesham, Worcestershire, England, UK. She is known for Animal Magic (1962), The Rise and Rise of Animal Rights (2001) and The Truth About Gay Animals (2002). She died on 19 October 2007 in Twycross, Leicestershire, England, UK.- Laurie Payne was born on 17 August 1922 in King Island, Tasmania, Australia. He was an actor, known for Rush Hour (1958), Studio 4 (1962) and Paint Your Wagon (1954). He was married to Darien Parker, Vickie Climas and Wendy Noel. He died on 2 April 1999 in Walcote, Leicestershire, England, UK.