Bernard Youens
Encyclopedia
Bernard Arthur Youens was a British character actor, best remembered for his portrayal of the workshy, beer-swilling Stan Ogden
in Coronation Street
from 1964 until his death in 1984.
, East Sussex
, as Bernard Popley, "Bunny" Youens (as he was nicknamed) began his stage career as a 16-year-old after becoming assistant stage manager at the Players Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne
. Youens was from a working-class family who had no theatre connections. He went on to spend much of the 1930s honing his craft in repertory theatre
. His acting career was interrupted by World War II
, during which he served in North Africa
and Anzio
. He was wounded by shrapnel in his right leg in Anzio in February 1944. He returned to rep after the war, while also working as a publican, bread salesman, van driver and a labourer.
, a Mancunian Films
production, with Betty Jumel
.
http://www.itsahotun.com/thestars.html This was the first film to be shot at their Rusholme Studio in Manchester, with exteriors filmed at Maine Road Football Ground and Abney Hall in Cheadle. In the film, veteran comedian Sandy Powell
performed one of his stage sketches, The Soldier’s Return Home, with a young actress, Pat Pilkington who later became famous as Pat Phoenix
in Coronation Street. Despite dreadful reviews the film was a huge success in the North West and you can see a clip from the film showing Bernard Youens with Betty Jumel, Dan Young and Alec Pleon at — scroll down to Cup Tie Honeymoon (1948) (the contents of the page are listed in date order).
, which had just been launched, he became popular for his velvet-voiced tones — a marked contrast to the character for which he would become famous. Youens also took minor roles in a number of ITV
series at the time, although he declined the chance to audition for Coronation Street when it launched in 1960, preferring the security of his announcer's role, before eventually passing an audition in 1964. He uttered the words "A pint of mild and 20 fags, missus" in June that year and a small screen legend was born. His role resulted in considerable celebrity and he was often engaged to open fetes and stores (such as the re-opened FW Woolworth in South Shields in 1970.)
When asked what he thought when a national British newspaper had dubbed his character "the uncrowned king of the non-working classes", he replied: "Stan is my creation and I am proud of him." Youens was delighted to meet Sir John Betjeman
, then the Poet Laureate
, who had for many years expressed a desire to meet "Hilda and her ghastly husband". Meet they did, and Youens often commented that Betjeman, bounding around the studios meeting everyone "like a schoolboy" was a fond memory. Laurence Olivier
also expressed a wish to appear in the programme. This was scheduled in a January 1978 episode in which Olivier was to play an unpublicised part as a tramp. Olivier's itinerary precluded that, and, in the bar at Granada TV, Youens told him "I'm so sorry I couldn't appear opposite you", to which Olivier replied: "Not as sorry as I am."
in the 1970s. In 1975 he suffered a stroke
which left him with a speech difficulty though speech therapy eradicated some of this. The writers brought in Geoffrey Hughes
as a lodger for Stan and Hilda
(Jean Alexander
) to reduce Youens's dialogue and therefore Youens was able to retain his role.
His final ever on-screen Street appearance was on 7 March 1984, although it was thought at this stage that he would appear again. Having suffered most of his later life with severe arthritis
in the neck and knees, Youens was taken into hospital in early April 1984 with the condition. He then suffered another stroke in May 1984. Youens subsequently contracted gangrene
in his left leg in July, resulting in amputation. Bernard Youens died in his sleep on the afternoon of 27 August 1984. He was 69 years old.
The decision to kill off his character was made by ITV
bosses soon after Youens died, and on 21 November 1984 it was revealed in the programme that Stan had died in hospital as a result of the character's gangrene.
Bernard married Edna Swallow, known as "Teddy", in Halifax
on 21 September 1937.
They had two daughters and three sons. His children are Ann Sharples, Diana Kenyon, Peter Popley, Brian Popley and Michael Popley. His youngest son, Michael, was a film cameraman on many episodes of Coronation Street. His grandson, John, has followed in his footsteps and is highly successful in the entertainment business - with his comedy show 'Bitter and Twisted', which has won awards in the Canary Islands
.
Edna outlived him by 17 years, dying in July 2001 at the age of 88.
Stan Ogden
Stanley "Stan" Ogden is a long-standing fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional town of Weatherfield. He is played by actor Bernard Youens. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 29 June...
in Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
from 1964 until his death in 1984.
Early life
Born in HoveHove
Hove is a town on the south coast of England, immediately to the west of its larger neighbour Brighton, with which it forms the unitary authority Brighton and Hove. It forms a single conurbation together with Brighton and some smaller towns and villages running along the coast...
, East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
, as Bernard Popley, "Bunny" Youens (as he was nicknamed) began his stage career as a 16-year-old after becoming assistant stage manager at the Players Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. Youens was from a working-class family who had no theatre connections. He went on to spend much of the 1930s honing his craft in repertory theatre
Repertory
Repertory or rep, also called stock in the United States, is a term used in Western theatre and opera.A repertory theatre can be a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation...
. His acting career was interrupted by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, during which he served in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
and Anzio
Anzio
Anzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
. He was wounded by shrapnel in his right leg in Anzio in February 1944. He returned to rep after the war, while also working as a publican, bread salesman, van driver and a labourer.
Career
He was a member of Frank Fortesque's Players after the war. Bernard "Bunny" Graham, (Youens then used Graham as a stage name; Bunny was his wife's pet name for him) appears in the film Cup-Tie HoneymoonCup-tie Honeymoon
Cup-Tie Honeymoon was the first motion picture to be filmed at the Dickenson Road Studios by the Mancunian Film Corporation in 1948, themed around football.-Plot summary:...
, a Mancunian Films
Mancunian Films
Mancunian Films was a British motion picture production company organized in 1934.Founded by John E. Blakeley, the company originally produced films in London on extremely low budgets. Blakeley's first studio consisted of a single soundstage in a loft space above a taxi garage...
production, with Betty Jumel
Betty Jumel
Betty Jumel was a British variety hall entertainer and actress.Betty Jumel was born in Fairhaven, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire in 1901. She was aged only 10 years-old when she made her first stage appearance, alongside her father Harold Jumel, who toured an act round the music halls entitled The...
.
http://www.itsahotun.com/thestars.html This was the first film to be shot at their Rusholme Studio in Manchester, with exteriors filmed at Maine Road Football Ground and Abney Hall in Cheadle. In the film, veteran comedian Sandy Powell
Sandy Powell (comedian)
Sandy Powell MBE was an English comedian best known for his radio work of the 1930s and for his catchphrase Can You Hear Me, Mother?-Life and career:...
performed one of his stage sketches, The Soldier’s Return Home, with a young actress, Pat Pilkington who later became famous as Pat Phoenix
Pat Phoenix
Patricia "Pat" Frederica Phoenix was an English actress who became one of the first sex symbols of British television through her role of Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street.-Early life and career:Born in Ireland to Anna Maria Josephine Noonan and Tom Manfield, but moved to Manchester before...
in Coronation Street. Despite dreadful reviews the film was a huge success in the North West and you can see a clip from the film showing Bernard Youens with Betty Jumel, Dan Young and Alec Pleon at — scroll down to Cup Tie Honeymoon (1948) (the contents of the page are listed in date order).
Television career
Youens's television breakthrough came in 1956 when, as a continuity announcer for Granada TelevisionGranada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
, which had just been launched, he became popular for his velvet-voiced tones — a marked contrast to the character for which he would become famous. Youens also took minor roles in a number of ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
series at the time, although he declined the chance to audition for Coronation Street when it launched in 1960, preferring the security of his announcer's role, before eventually passing an audition in 1964. He uttered the words "A pint of mild and 20 fags, missus" in June that year and a small screen legend was born. His role resulted in considerable celebrity and he was often engaged to open fetes and stores (such as the re-opened FW Woolworth in South Shields in 1970.)
When asked what he thought when a national British newspaper had dubbed his character "the uncrowned king of the non-working classes", he replied: "Stan is my creation and I am proud of him." Youens was delighted to meet Sir John Betjeman
John Betjeman
Sir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...
, then the Poet Laureate
Poet Laureate
A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events...
, who had for many years expressed a desire to meet "Hilda and her ghastly husband". Meet they did, and Youens often commented that Betjeman, bounding around the studios meeting everyone "like a schoolboy" was a fond memory. Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM was an English actor, director, and producer. He was one of the most famous and revered actors of the 20th century. He married three times, to fellow actors Jill Esmond, Vivien Leigh, and Joan Plowright...
also expressed a wish to appear in the programme. This was scheduled in a January 1978 episode in which Olivier was to play an unpublicised part as a tramp. Olivier's itinerary precluded that, and, in the bar at Granada TV, Youens told him "I'm so sorry I couldn't appear opposite you", to which Olivier replied: "Not as sorry as I am."
Illness and death
Youens suffered a series of heart attacksMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in the 1970s. In 1975 he suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
which left him with a speech difficulty though speech therapy eradicated some of this. The writers brought in Geoffrey Hughes
Geoffrey Hughes
Geoffrey Hughes, DL is an English actor.As well as a wide range of TV and film appearances, Hughes is best known for a series of supporting roles in popular UK television dramas...
as a lodger for Stan and Hilda
Hilda Ogden
Hilda Alice Ogden is a fictional character from the television series Coronation Street, one of the best-known of all the regular characters in the soap opera, whose name became synonymous with a certain type of working-class woman...
(Jean Alexander
Jean Alexander
Jean Alexander is a BAFTA Nominated English television actress. She is best known to British television viewers as Hilda Ogden on the soap opera Coronation Street, a role she played from 1964–1987 and also as Auntie Wainwright on the longest running sitcom Last of the Summer Wine from 1988 to 2010...
) to reduce Youens's dialogue and therefore Youens was able to retain his role.
His final ever on-screen Street appearance was on 7 March 1984, although it was thought at this stage that he would appear again. Having suffered most of his later life with severe arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
in the neck and knees, Youens was taken into hospital in early April 1984 with the condition. He then suffered another stroke in May 1984. Youens subsequently contracted gangrene
Gangrene
Gangrene is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that arises when a considerable mass of body tissue dies . This may occur after an injury or infection, or in people suffering from any chronic health problem affecting blood circulation. The primary cause of gangrene is reduced blood...
in his left leg in July, resulting in amputation. Bernard Youens died in his sleep on the afternoon of 27 August 1984. He was 69 years old.
The decision to kill off his character was made by ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
bosses soon after Youens died, and on 21 November 1984 it was revealed in the programme that Stan had died in hospital as a result of the character's gangrene.
Bernard married Edna Swallow, known as "Teddy", in Halifax
Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
on 21 September 1937.
They had two daughters and three sons. His children are Ann Sharples, Diana Kenyon, Peter Popley, Brian Popley and Michael Popley. His youngest son, Michael, was a film cameraman on many episodes of Coronation Street. His grandson, John, has followed in his footsteps and is highly successful in the entertainment business - with his comedy show 'Bitter and Twisted', which has won awards in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
.
Edna outlived him by 17 years, dying in July 2001 at the age of 88.