Anecdotes

One of the UK's finest and most prolific character actors, credited with over two hundred television and sixty film roles which began in 1954 with Guy Hamilton's "An Inspector Calls".

Left school at 16 and spent six months working in an office before studying at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). Whilst at RADA he began lifelong friendships with Richard Attenborough and Bryan Forbes.

Lived in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. He and his wife had moved to the area from Middlesex in 1992 to be closer to their two daughters, Lucy and Catherine, and five grandchildren.

Met his wife, Nona Blamire, in Rep in Northampton.

His work was described in Brian McFarlane's Encyclopedia of British Film as "a wonderful gallery of under-achievers".

Demobbed from the Royal Air Force in 1947, he appeared with repertory companies in Henley-on-Thames, Dundee and Northampton.

Bryan Forbes directed him in Whistle Down The Wind (1961), The Wrong Box (1966) and The Raging Moon (1970). In the last he played the father of Nanette Newman (Forbes' wife) despite the fact that there was only a fourteen-year age gap between them.

Bridgnorth, his home from 1992, was well known to him from his wartime days at Stanmore Camp, an RAF training establishment.

His wife, Nona Blamire, was the voice of Joan Burton in 104 episodes of "The Archers", the world's longest running radio soap (29 May 1950 - present).

Grew a moustache to qualify for older character parts as it became evident that he was not being considered for those as a leading man.

Made his London stage debut in Peter Brook's production of The Winter's Tale at the Phoenix Theatre in 1951.

A role in Stay Lucky, a comedy series with Dennis Waterman, marked his 200th TV appearance (1990).

In 1950, he joined John Gielgud's company, understudying for Christopher Fry's The Lady's Not For Burning, which toured the United States.