Recurring characters in Last of the Summer Wine
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of characters in the BBC
sitcom Last of the Summer Wine
. The series focuses primarily on a trio of old men and their interaction with other characters in town. Due to the longevity of the series it has often been necessary to replace key characters due to an actor's death, illness, or unavailability for other reasons. Many characters were first seen in "one-off" appearances and were popular enough or felt to have enough potential for them to be brought back as regulars, in some instances replacing previous members of the cast.
s, Compo rarely (if ever) worked for a living, preferring the lazy life. The name probably derived from the term 'compo' a shortened version of the word 'compensation', sometimes used to refer to people living off compensation from an on-the-job injury. A great physical comedian, Compo was often the butt of jokes arising from the many dirty jobs, stunts and escapades that were a central feature of the series. Another recurring theme was Compo's affection for his next-door neighbour, Nora Batty, of whose 'wrinkled stockings' he would frequently despair.
Compo leads a seemingly idyllic lifestyle, chatting and bickering with others, betting on horses, and playing with his ferrets. In fact, Compo was written as a fragile underdog, with a childlike addiction to fun and the joys of living. He thrives on the authority and argument he gets from the third member of the trio, as is evident from the regret he expresses in his moping around the café after the departure of Blamire in the third series episode, "The Man from Oswestry."
Compo was written out of the series in 2000 following the death of Owen a year earlier. Although Compo was already seriously ill, according to Truly and Clegg, it was the sight of Nora Batty in chorus girl clothes that finished him off, but he died with a smile on his face (as claimed by Truly, Clegg and Nora).
Compo was referred to as 'Uncle Bill' by his nephew Gordon Simmonite in episodes in 1976.
Norman Clegg (Peter Sallis
(1973-2010) Pessimistic, with a wry sense of humour. Clegg aims for a quiet respectable retirement following his redundancy
from his job as a lino
salesman, but is continually involved in the schemes of Foggy and the others. Despite having been married for 31 years - he is now a widower; his wife Edith was deceased when the series began - Clegg fearfully shies away from women. Perfectly content reading alone in his cosy home, he also finds fascination in some of the simpler things in life, such as Sid's skirting board. He is also so reserved and shy that he famously wears several layers of clothing: vest/long johns, shirt, jumper/sweater, waistcoat/suit vest, jacket/sport coat, and finally a plastic mac, which he just carries when it's not windy or raining. He is also the only one of the trio that has a driving licence and therefore occasionally finds himself reluctantly pressured into driving on the very rare occasions that they are not merely strolling about locally and manage to avail themselves of a vehicle sans driver. This invariably results in a panic attack
for Clegg, who fumbles about with the gears and pedals uncontrollably, limiting his speed to about 3mph (which is just to his liking).
Clegg was the sounding-board for Compo's glee and the third man's authority, and was often instrumental in pointing out the pitfalls concealed within the schemes of the third man. Clegg is also well known for his philosophical asides, which have received praise for interjecting intellectual material into the series. In early episodes, Clegg was much more forthright and adventurous. Within a few years he became more retiring and cautious (although was still seen to relish the odd practical joke or escapade), and the group came to be dominated by Foggy and the "third men" that succeeded him. In the two final series he became a secondary character (due to the fact that Sallis, alongside Frank Thornton, were now over 80, leading to complications over insurance when on location filming), so his role was filled by Entwistle. He was also the only character to appear in every single episode of the programme.
Cyril Blamire (Michael Bates
(1973–1975) The first third man, and the most childishly argumentative, Blamire was the contrast to Compo. Blamire was fired up by displays of youthful enthusiasm, energetic gusto, or any sign of the British spirit. He served as a corporal
in the British Army
in the Royal Signals regiment during the "The Great Fight for Freedom""
as a supply wallah (a storeman) in India and retains his military bearing. He was a Tory
and a self-important know-it-all
with upper-class
aspirations who often dissociated himself from the other two, especially Compo, owing to his perceived superiority to them. Because of his sophisticated interests and insistence on table manners
, Compo liked to refer to him as a "poof". In spite of this, Compo and Blamire were close, as illustrated by Compo's misery in the episodes immediately following his departure. " When Bates left the cast as a result of illness in 1975, Blamire was written out of the series; it was said that he had left to get married and the last we hear of him is a very organised letter, instructing Clegg and Compo to meet their old classmate, Foggy Dewhurst.
Walter "Foggy" Dewhurst (Brian Wilde
(1976–1985, 1990–1997) The successor to Blamire, Foggy was a former soldier who liked to boast of his military exploits in Burma during the Second World War (in fact, he was a sign-writer). Although he considered himself very regimental and heroic, when confronted Foggy was generally meek and incompetent. Like the previous third man- and all subsequent third men- he considered himself the leader of the trio, and frequently took charge of Compo and Clegg. Foggy Dewhurst was infamous for trying to figure out a solution to the trio's everyday problems, only to make them much worse. In earlier years Foggy wore a scarf with regimental colours on it. When Wilde left the series in 1985 to star in his own sitcom, it was explained that Foggy had moved to Bridlington to take over his family's egg-painting business. Returning in 1990 following the impromptu departure of Michael Aldridge, he claimed he had tired of a life of egg painting
, and wanted to return to his old life. In 1997, when Wilde's illness prevented him from taking part in the series, he was written out in the Special, "There Goes the Groom", (in which the character was only seen in brief, non-face shots, played by a double; this episode also introduced his successor, Truly). An unconscious, hung-over Foggy was swept off to Blackpool by the local postmistress. There he inadvertently proposed to her in a verbal slip-up over the wedding rings of which he had taken charge "for safe keeping" (out of the dubious care of Best Man, Barry). But he must have at least liked her, as he was never heard from again. Foggy's real first name was revealed to be Walter (with the middle initial "C") ; "Foggy" is a nickname, derived from the traditional song "The Foggy Foggy Dew", aided perhaps by the fact that, in his earlier episodes, he would occasionally "blank out" everything around him to help himself to concentrate, particularly when he was thinking up new ideas or finding solutions to problems. This is particularly noticable in the episode "The Man from Oswestry"
Seymour Utterthwaite (Michael Aldridge
(1986–1990) A snobbish inventor, Edie's brother Seymour felt it was his duty in life to educate the masses, and in particular, Compo and Clegg, to whom he was introduced by his brother-in-law
, Wesley Pegden, shortly before the wedding of Wesley's daughter. Whereas Cyril and Foggy tried to solve the problems of the residents of Holmfirth, Seymour liked to invent, but the resulting inventions invariably led to disaster—especially for Compo, who was always the reluctant guinea pig. (Seymour usually blamed the failure of his inventions on divine punishment for his once having had an affair with a barmaid.) Seymour's house, outside the town, was modified into a laboratory, filled with new devices and contraptions that seldom, if ever, worked properly. His sister, Edie, always spoke very highly of him and how he was 'educated', refusing to take into account his continual failed inventions. Seymour had previously been the headmaster of a school, although it is not entirely clear how successful he was in running it. When Aldridge left the series in 1990 to care for his sick wife, Seymour was last seen leaving on a bus to take up a new job as interim headmaster at a private school
—just as previous third man Foggy returned.
Herbert Truelove (Truly of the Yard) (Frank Thornton
(1997–2010) A retired policeman with a pompous self-importance in all things criminal, Truly is more relaxed, fun-loving, and can be more of an equal match at the local pub than his predecessors as third man . He can also be a bit more devious with practical joke
s or witty schemes. Likewise, he can be equally sly in getting people out of a scrape or just helping out a friend. He is divorced, and makes disparaging comments about "the former Mrs Truelove" (who evidently feels the same way about him, judging by the reaction of her new husband, who appears in one episode, to Truly). Because of his previous involvement with the police, Truly refers to himself as "Truly of the Yard".. In the two final series he is demoted to a secondary character along with Norman Clegg, so his role as third man was filled by Hobbo.
Billy Hardcastle (Keith Clifford
(1999, 2000, 2001–2006) Billy Hardcastle was first introduced in the 1999 series as a guest star and also appeared in the 2000 New Year
's special and a guest role in the 2000 series. Because of his popularity, he was made a regular character in the 2001 series.
Billy believes he is a direct descendant of Robin Hood
. His first appearance on the show showed him attempting to recruit a band of Merry Men to go with him while he robs from the rich to give to the poor. At the end of the 21st series, Billy moves next door to Truly and is teamed as the third member of the trio. When Billy joined with Clegg and Truly, much of the humour Compo previously brought to the series returned in Billy's child-like demeanour, although an element of physical humour
was still lacking in the series. Much of his dialogue bemoaned the domestic presence of "the wife" or "the wife's sister". Billy was last seen at the end of the 27th series following the departure of Keith Clifford from the show to pursue other work at the time.
Alvin Smedley (Brian Murphy
(2003–2010)
Alvin Smedley was introduced in the 2003 series as Nora Batty's new next door neighbour following the death of Compo. When Tom's former acquaintance, Mrs. Avery, gives up the lease she owns on Compo's old house, Alvin purchases it. Although he publicly claims to hate Nora Batty, he feels it is his duty to try to bring some joy to her life, often in the form of practical jokes similar to those Compo once played on her. In the 2005 series he joined the main trio thus making them a quartet but after the 2006 series following Billy Hardcastle's departure the quartet once again became a trio although in the 2007 and 2008 series he was mostly teamed up with Entwistle. In the final two series he and Entwistle teamed up with Hobbo, thus making a new trio.
'Electrical' Entwistle (Burt Kwouk
(2002–2010) Electrician and fortune-teller from the land of eastern wisdom, Hull
. His real name is McIntyre but he changed it so people wouldn't mistake him for a Scotsman. When Wesley died, Entwistle took over his job of shuttling the others across the countryside in a battered red Toyota Hilux
pick-up truck, and occasionally constructing the various contraptions the main trio produce. He also seems to be taking over a character version of Auntie Wainwright, although he mainly sells second-hand washing machines.
Following the departure of Billy Hardcastle in series 28, Entwistle has often been paired with Alvin, with many stories revolving around their dealings with Howard or Barry. From series 30 to series 31, Entwistle becomes the second man in a new trio when Hobbo arrives and recruits Alvin and Entwistle to form a band of volunteers to respond to emergencies in the village.
Luther 'Hobbo' Hobdyke (Russ Abbot
(2008–2010)
Hobbo is a former milkman with ties to MI5 who was first introduced in the 2008 New Years special, to set up his role in the upcoming 30th series. He is Clegg's new next door neighbour. Upon first arriving in the village, Hobbo recruits Alvin and Entwistle to form a small band of volunteers who will react to any emergency that arises in the village, thus forming a new trio. Hobbo is incredibly cautious, and always on the lookout for enemy attack. He fondly remembers his time spent with MI5, when he used to leap from aeroplanes ("Holding crates of milk?" asks Entwistle) and dive for cover from enemy fire. Clegg and Truly recall that Hobbo was never much of a milkman but was exemplary at needlework. He was also one of the last new characters to be introduced to the series.
Nora Batty (Kathy Staff
(1973–2001, 2002–2008) Compo's next door neighbour, Nora is proudly devoted to strict housework, and stands as a monument to classic northern women. During her marriage she used to keep her husband, Wally, under her thumb. Despite Nora's gruff manner (and famously wrinkled stockings) Compo is desperately in love with her, with a lust that is used to generate comic situations as he comes up with various plots and schemes to try to impress Nora (a plot device that was used a great many times, particularly from the mid-1980s until Compo's death). Although initially a stern Northern "battleaxe", Nora showed on occasion, particularly as the years passed, that underneath she is actually a rather caring and kind woman—although she doesn't openly promote the fact. She even seemed to grow fond of Compo- in the 1996 Christmas special "Extra! Extra!", she was bowled over at the sight of him in military uniform. She also seemed very flattered when Compo sang about his feelings for her at a concert in the previous year's Christmas special. When Bill Owen died in 1999, Staff initially announced her plans to leave the series, feeling that it would not be the same without him. With the introduction of Compo's son Tom (played by his real life son Tom Owen), however, she was persuaded to stay. Staff actually did leave the series in 2001, to reprise her role as cleaner Doris Luke in the doomed revival of soap Crossroads, with Nora said to be emigrating to Australia. When Crossroads folded, Staff returned, with nothing said about Nora's trip to Australia or her sudden return. She continued to play the character until shortly before her death in 2008. With Staff unable to appear in Series 30 because of ill health, Nora was again said to have left for Australia, this time to care for her elder sister, Madge. Staff also played a very Nora-like character, Mrs. Blewitt, in another of writer Roy Clarke
's hits, Open All Hours
, from 1976 to 1985.
Wally Batty (Joe Gladwin
(1975–1987) Nora's perennially shell-shocked husband and Compo's next-door neighbour, Wally Batty was a short quiet man, kept on a short leash by his wife. His relationship with Nora stood in stark contrast to Compo's unrequited lust after her; in fact, he often welcomed the prospect of Compo running off with her. Initially mentioned but not seen, he first appeared on screen in 1975. He was generally seen doing chores or stealing a quick moment away from Nora at the pub. Wally had a passion for racing pigeons and owned a motorbike and sidecar, occasionally taking Nora for a spin around the countryside. With the death of Joe Gladwin in 1987, the character died off screen, but is still occasionally mentioned. (Note: in the pilot episode of the series, which was part of the Comedy Playhouse
strand, Nora referred to her unseen husband as Harold, not Wally).
Stella (Barbara Young
(2008–2010) Stella is Nora's sister, and first appeared in the 2008 New Years Special, I Was A Hitman for Primrose Dairies as a replacement for the actress Kathy Staff, who was unable to continue her role as Nora owing to ill health. With Nora having departed for Australia, Stella moved in to house-sit for her sister, and has become a new member of the elder women's talking circle. She is a former barmaid and appears to take a more free-spirited approach to life than Nora, as evidenced by her brighter wardrobe and hair. The storyline in her first episode saw her trying to give up smoking, and her yearning for a cigarette has continued unabated into subsequent episodes.
) to have been present throughout the course of the series (although Clegg is the only one to have appeared in every single episode), however she was not present in the final episode of the series.
Sid (John Comer
(1973–1983), bluff tea-shop owner, who featured prominently for the first ten years, before his death in 1984. Ivy remembers him fondly, and often mentions him in conversation. Sid was one of the few characters who actually seemed to enjoy getting involved in the misadventures of the three central characters, and often saw them as an excuse to get out of the cafe for a couple of hours. Ivy and Sid often shouted and argued with each other (and Ivy was never shy about bringing up Sid's infidelity), but, as with many of the show's couples, there was little doubt that they loved each other. For John Comer's last appearance, in 1983's feature-length Christmas special, 'Getting Sam Home', illness caused by cancer affected his speech, and so his lines were dubbed over by another actor, Tony Melody
. Comer died a few months later. Sid's death was not referred to until "Uncle of the Bride" on New Year's Day 1986. In "Just a Small Funeral" as Ivy is getting ready for Compo's funeral, she finds a photo of Sid in her handbag.
Milburn, aka "Crusher" (Jonathan Linsley
(1984–1987) Ivy's giant, lumbering and very strong nephew, who bore a striking resemblance to Sid. The character first appeared in 1984, to compensate for the death of John Comer who played Sid. Crusher helped his auntie Ivy out in the cafe for 3½ years. His real name was Milburn, but he insisted on being called "Crusher". He was influenced by the Rock and Rollers of the 1950s and was into heavy metal music. Well-meaning but not overly bright, he was rather easily led. Crusher was first seen in the touring stage show before being introduced into the series. However Crusher did not return in the tenth series, as Jonathan Linsley decided to leave the show after going on a crash diet: most of the character's humor came from the contrast between his menacing size and his total harmlessness. Following his departure in early 1988 after the 1987 Christmas special, Ivy ran the cafe alone (with occasional help from Nora Batty).
Gordon Simmonite (Philip Jackson
(1976) An oft-forgotten character, Gordon was Compo's gormless fishing-obsessed nephew, and appeared in a few 1976 episodes, joining the trio on a Bank Holiday trip to Scarborough, and in a later episode, marrying a young woman he met there. In some ways he was a prototype of Barry, who was introduced in the mid-1980s.
van, but this was seen in only a couple of his early appearances.
(Note: For some years before joining the series as Tom Simmonite, Tom Owen sometimes appeared in small walk-on parts on the show (for instance appearing on the 1991 Christmas special), sometimes with no dialogue, and not always credited.)
Mrs (Lolly Minerva) Avery (Julie T. Wallace
(2000–2001) Tom's live-in "associate"; much larger than him, and something of a battle-axe, yet rather easily manipulated. Although Tom always insisted that she was merely an acquaintance, Mrs Avery always wanted more, and was under the impression that Tom had promised to marry her. After a brief spell of living in the pair's bus, they moved into the deceased Compo's home, next-door to Nora Batty. During her stay at Compo's home, she began a rivalry with Nora, often copying each other (cleaning their windows or vacuuming their rugs). This was not to last; she threw him out and disappeared from the series after only a year on the show.
Wesley Pegden (Gordon Wharmby
(1982, 1984–2002) Edie's husband, who spends all his time in his workshop/garage. In one of the most popular and often recycled scenes in the series, Edie would call Wesley in from his garage (after much shouting, first in gentle 'posh' tones, before ending up in harsh yelling) and would lay down a trail of newspaper for him to stand on—often putting one on the wall just in time as he leant against it. Wesley generally kept out of Edie's way in his garage, restoring old motors. The character first appeared in the 1982 episode 'Car and Garter' in a cameo role. The writer and producers liked him so much that they brought him back for the 1984 Christmas Special 'The Loxley Lozenge' and the 1985 special 'Who's Looking After The Cafe Then?'. He reappeared in the 1986 feature-length 'Uncle Of The Bride', in which he was established as Edie's husband, at which point both became regulars. Mechanic Wesley was often called upon by the main trio to construct the many bizarre creations they came up with, and to drive them into the hills for test runs. One reoccurring theme is the occasional explosion caused by projects in Wesley's shed and accompanied by billows of white smoke. On some occasions, Wesley's hat is also smoldering and smoking. In his early years in the series, Wesley seemed to have a love of loud rock music
, which led to the trio desperately trying to call over it to get his attention on a number of occasions. When Wharmby died in 2002, the character also died; although he was not formally written out, subsequent references to him were in the past tense.
Edith "Edie" Pegden (Dame Thora Hird
(1986–2003), a highly opinionated older woman, sister of Seymour Utterthwaite (who called her Edith), she was the house-proud hostess of the women's coffee mornings. She was introduced, along with Seymour, daughter Glenda and son-in-law Barry in the 1986 episode "Uncle of the Bride" (husband Wesley was introduced in 1982). The ladies' tea meetings, where they would sit and discuss life (particularly the strangeness of men), which became a popular staple of the show in the 1990s, were usually held in Edie's front room. Wesley restored a convertible car for her to drive, although she was a terrible driver, and was always accusing Wesley of moving things (particularly the gear lever) around. Another running gag would be, when going out, Edie making a big performance out of locking the front door, repeatedly pushing it to check that it was locked properly. In later years Hird, who was still in the series at age 90, suffered bad health, which particularly affected her ability to stand. To cover this, she was often seen sitting down, or, when standing, had something to hold on to (often out of camera shot). For driving and distance shots, her double (Amy Shaw) was used. When Hird died in 2003, Edie was also said to have died. As with husband Wesley, it was not immediately made obvious. Later references to the character were used to indicate that she had died. In the final 3 series, a framed photo of Edie can be seen on Barry and Glenda's mantelpiece
. In one episode Barry talks about ghosts and Glenda asks if he had seen her mother. Barry's response in the negative includes immense gladness in that she scared him enough alive.
For the first few series in which she appeared, Edie was extremely concerned with her reputation in the neighbourhood: whenever there was company, Edie would try to put on a posh, educated voice—which would suddenly vanish when she was shouting for (or at) Wesley. This aspect of Edie's character acted as a prototype for Hyacinth Bucket
in Keeping Up Appearances
(also written by Roy Clarke
). Once the latter series was created, this aspect of Edie's personality was toned down a bit (although not completely) in order to separate the two characters.
Ros Utterthwaite (Dora Bryan
(2000–2005) Edie's and Seymour's sister, who has always been more romantically adventurous, to Edie's unending shame. She often speaks of past flings, frequently with married men. She was often paired with Pearl Sibshaw. Ros was last seen at the end of the 26th series following the departure of Dora Bryan owing to ill health. Her role of being paired with Pearl was replaced by June Whitfield's character Nelly.
Howard Sibshaw (Robert Fyfe
(1985–2010) Howard is the shy, simpering, henpecked husband of Pearl. Doubtless owing to his wife's domineering nature, Howard often tries to escape from her. Most episode involve Howard dating peroxide blonde, Marina, behind his wife's back. In most episodes, Marina would simper, "Oh Howard.", followed by Howard's "Oh Marina.". He is a creative but unconvincing liar. He and Pearl live next door to Clegg, and, much to the annoyance of Clegg, Howard is always pestering him for aid in his various schemes to escape Pearl and be with Marina. Over the years he has come up with countless disguises, cover stories and hideaways to allow him to see Marina, all of which have ultimately been doomed or exposed by Pearl. He tends to ignore Marina when he's out with her, partly out of fear of his wife Pearl, and partly because he gets so deeply caught up in fabricating charades to cover up his affair. However, their relationship doesn't appear to have gone beyond hand-holding and gazing into each other's eyes (much to the annoyance of Marina). Howard is often too busy worrying about Pearl to pay Marina any kind of romantic attention, and it is hinted that even if the opportunity ever did arise, Howard would be too cowardly to go through with it anyway. Perhaps for this reason, it has also been suggested that Howard loves Pearl underneath it all. Howard first appeared in the Bournemouth
summer season show of the series, and was popular enough and felt to have enough potential that he was soon made a regular character. At first, he, Pearl and Marina were used semi-regularly, but as time passed and their popularity grew, they appeared in every episode. Howard and Pearl's surname was given as Sibshaw in Roy Clarke's novel 'The Moonbather' in 1987, but almost never used in the series- it was given in only the very last series.
Pearl Sibshaw (Juliette Kaplan
(1985–2010) Howard's wife, a bit of a shrew and always one step ahead of his crafty schemes, she is often shown to know about his (attempted) affair with Marina, but is almost gleefully obsessed with exposing Howard's philandering and generally tormenting him. Although she has a fearsome reputation, she, like Nora, occasionally surprises Norman Clegg and others (not including Howard) with displays of kindness, especially after Compo died.
When she was first introduced on the show, Pearl was somewhat naive, especially towards Howard's affair with Marina. When introduced to the ladies' tea group, Nora, Ivy, and Edie integrated her into the group and, over time, her demeanour has hardened.
Marina (Jean Fergusson
(1985–2010) busty but over-age, Howard's love interest Marina works in a local supermarket. Despite her carefree appearance and large chest, Marina is a long-suffering type, having to deal with the disapproval of the prominent village women, the indirect wrath of Pearl, and timorous and neglectful romancing by Howard. Although at first seeming a "tart", in truth Marina is only longingly searching for love. Marina works as a check-out girl at the local Co-op
(although in more recent series, the store's name has been seen as Lodges); Howard often sneaks there to pass or receive notes from her (or more often sends Norman Clegg in his place; leading on several occasions for Marina to believe mistakenly that Clegg is interested in her romantically). Marina longs for love, and seems to have a particularly soft spot for Clegg. In A Sidecar Named Desire Clegg reveals that he was once trapped in a lift with Marina and they had to cuddle together to keep warm. Though she perceived it to be a romantic incident, it left Clegg terrified of her. Clegg always strongly denies any romantic interest in her. Marina first appeared in the spin-off 1984 Eastbourne
summer season show, and soon became a regular character. In A Sidecar Named Desire, Compo says of Marina, "she's not for marrying, she's for educational purposes".
Aunty Wainwright (Jean Alexander
(1988, 1989, 1992–2010) sly and grasping junk shop owner. She is Howard's "Aunty" and while both have a general predisposition towards sneakiness, Aunty Wainwright is much more adept at applying it. Clegg is reluctant to go into her store, since she always sells him something he doesn't want. In addition to her junk shop, she has also been seen owning a junk yard where Compo went to meet one of his long-time loves. She is extremely mean, and pretends to be cheated when she gives the slightest discount. At Compo's funeral, she grabbed Eli by the arm and pretended to be blind in order to avoid giving money to a collection outside the church.
As with several other characters, she originally was seen in a "one-off" appearance in the 1988 Christmas Special Crums, and was so popular that she was brought back, eventually becoming a regular from 1992 until the end of the series in 2010. Note: Aunty Wainwright is no relation to Mr Wainwright from the library. (See Below)
Clem "Smiler" Hemmingway (Stephen Lewis
(Stephen Lewis
: 1988, 1990–2007) eternally miserable and none-too-bright comic foil, similar to Lewis' character Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake in LWT's hit comedy On The Buses
(many episodes of which he co-wrote) from 1969 to 1973. Smiler was first seen as a one-off character in 1988's 'That Certain Smile', in which the trio had to sneak a hospitalised Smiler's beloved dog Bess in to see him. The character was popular enough to be brought back on a semi-regular basis, and was a regular throughout the 1990s and most of the 2000s (although his dog died between his first and second appearances). In some early appearances, he was a lollipop man, but for much of his time on the show worked for Auntie Wainwright, with whom he seems to be suffering some sort of indentured servitude. In early appearances, Smiler was also a lodger with Nora Batty, which enraged the jealous Compo. Smiler also owned a big, but rather beaten up and poorly maintained, white convertible 1972 Chevrolet Impala
, in which he sometimes drove around with Tom, and which on occasion has been used in various promotions for Auntie Wainwright. Smiler was last seen in the series 28 episode "Sinclair and the Wormley Witches". Lewis left the show at the end of series 28 because of ill health. He was last mentioned in the series 29 episode "Of Passion and Pizza" by Tom's saying that Smiler had disappeared from the series.
Mr Wainwright (Blake Butler
(1973 and 1976) The rather timid head of the local library, which the trio visited a lot in the show's early days. Mr Wainwright left at the same time as Mrs Partridge's departure (see below), but was "transferred back" to the area in the third series, featuring in two episodes where he was once again romancing his new assistant, Miss Moody. (Note: Mr Wainwright is not related to Auntie Wainwright.)
: (1973), a librarian at the aforementioned library, and who was engaged in an affair with Mr Wainwright which they (mistakenly) believed was secret. The characters were never really felt to catch on, and disappeared as the library was written out as a favourite haunt of the main trio. However, a few years later, the storyline was resurrected and used of sorts for Howard and Marina. The library was also brought back for Foggy to get thrown out of all the time.
Lucinda Davenport (Josephine Tewson
(2003–2010) After many years of the library setting not really being used, Miss Davenport was introduced as the new librarian in 2003. A very emotional woman haunted by a string of past rejections, she first appeared as a guest, driving Gavin Hinchcliff around while he skied on the van roof. Originally, Glenda took up the cause of socializing her and tried to fit her in with the coffee-drinker circle of Nora, Ivy, Pearl, and co. They did not take too well to each other; in more recent episodes, she's bonded with Marina instead, with the pair of them both longing for love in their individual ways. In the episode: "In Which Howard Remembers Where He Left His Bicycle Pump", it is revealed that Miss Davenport's first name is "Lucinda".
Eli Duckett (Danny O'Dea
(1987–2002) An extremely short-sighted bumbler, Eli maintains a highly cheerful, friendly attitude despite not having a clue what's going on around him. He generally makes only brief cameo appearances, walking into a scene and commenting on his near-sighted interpretation of the action, and then walking off again. On occasion, his short-sightedness would see him walking into slapstick (and carefully choreographed) mishaps such as walking into the back of a lorry and over the tops of cars, or falling into a skip. For much of his time in the series, Eli also had a Jack Russell
dog (which once went missing, leading Eli to mistake a sheep for the dog). Despite his short-sightedness, Eli is eternally cheerful and optimistic, and glad to see anyone who stops to talk to him. In one episode, a passing comment by Compo seemed to suggest that Eli was a sniper during WWII.
In the 1995 New Year Special episode featuring Norman Wisdom, 'The Man Who Nearly Knew Pavarotti', Eli is the conductor of the Holme Silver Band. Originally brought in as a friend of Wally Batty, the character was popular enough that Eli remained on the show after the death of actor Joe Gladwin
. Eli and Wally appeared together in only one episode: "Jaws" in 1987.
Eli has not appeared again since the death of O'Dea, though the character has not been explicitly killed off. In the rest of the 2002 series, Eli was not present. His place of sorts was taken by two drunks (who were also in earlier episodes of the series, sometimes credited as Villagers), but appeared in only a few episodes.
In the 1988 episode "The Pig Man Cometh" of All Creatures Great and Small O'Dea played the character Rupe who, like Eli, was nearsighted, clearly alluding to his role on Last of the Summer Wine.
Nelly (June Whitfield
(2005–2010) A more recent addition to the ladies' coffee-drinking set, and Pearl's comrade-in-arms. Nelly's never-seen husband Travis needs constant attention, which Nelly generally administers over her mobile phone. Nelly occasionally provides more "sophisticated" viewpoints as a result of having lived further south for some time, but even she regards them with some befuddlement. June Whitfield previously made a "one off" appearance in the series as a different character, Delphi Potts, in the 2001 Christmas Special, 'Potts in Pole Position', married to Lother, the character of Warren Mitchell
, a couple of years before she became a regular as Nelly. In Series 30, she became the object of Hobbo's obsession when he became convinced that she was his long-lost mother. She was one of the only two regular characters (the other being Ivy) not to appear in the final episode.
Morton Beemish (Christopher Beeny
(2001–2005, 2007, 2008–2010) He first appeared as an unnamed character, "the Repo man", who is always pursuing Tom Simmonite, claiming that he owes money. He is determined but gullible, and Tom always evades him. From 2005 on, he has not only been mentioned by name, but also calls on Barry for social visits, with Barry not being too thrilled at this newfound friendship. In certain episodes in 2005, it is clear that he still repossesses belongings, which Glenda suggests is the reason none of his friendships lasted: he kept repossessing his friends' goods. The character returned in a 2007 episode of the show; and again in the 2008 New Year special, saying that he has retired from debt collecting and changed his name to Morton Beemish in order to start a new life for himself. He seeks out the friendship of his former nemesis, Tom. In series 30 and series 31 the character lives next door to Barry and Glenda, moving in as lodger with Toby Mulberry, (aka The Captain).
Toby Mulberry Smith (Trevor Bannister
(2001–2006, 2008–2010) The Captain of the local golf club where Barry is often trying to fit in as a member; but, despite his best efforts to impress him, Barry always manages to annoy or offend the Major, either by becoming involved with some escapade with the main trio, or by some other social faux pas
. Trevor Bannister is best known for playing Mr Lucas in another comedy favourite, Are You Being Served?
, with Frank Thornton
from 1972 to 1979, and also starred with Brian Wilde
in the short-lived Wyatt's Watchdogs
in 1988. He had previously played a tailor in the 1992 episode 'Who's Got Rhythm?'. The Captain returned for the 2008 New Years Special I Was A Hitman For Primrose Dairies, where he received a name, Toby, for the first time. In series 30 he moves in next door to Barry and Glenda and shortly after gains Morton Beemish (aka Herman Teesdale), the repo man, as lodger.
Billy Ingleton (Sir Norman Wisdom
(1995, 1996, 2001, 2002 and 2004) Like a number of other characters, Norman Wisdom was originally intended to make one guest appearance in the show, and ended up as a recurring character. He originally played the hapless Billy Ingleton in the 1995 New Year special 'The Man Who Nearly Knew Pavarotti'. He proved so popular that like Aunty Wainwright before him, he was asked to appear in the following year's special ('Extra! Extra!'). From then on, much-loved comedian Norman Wisdom occasionally pops up, sometimes for the storyline of an episode, at other times in smaller appearances. He is not always credited for smaller appearances.
on occasion) or drinking tea.
PC Cooper (aka 1st Policeman) (Ken Kitson
(1983, 1988–2010) Kitson first appeared in the 1983 Christmas special 'Getting Sam Home' and made 2 further guest appearances before becoming a semi-regular character from series 12 onwards. In series 29 he was finally given the name PC Cooper. Cooper tends to be the bigger-headed of the two, but he has many ingenious ways of dealing with petty crimes with minimal disruption to his relaxation.
PC Walsh (aka 2nd Policeman) (Louis Emerick
(1988, 1989, 2004–2010) Emerick first appeared alongside Kitson in 'Downhill Racer'. He made one more appearance in the next series, in the episode 'Three Men and a Mangle', and later reappeared in 2004 to partner Kitson after Tony Capstick's death. In series 29 he was finally given the name PC Walsh. Walsh is more level-headed than Cooper and enjoys "taking the mickey", but he tends to be a little more naïve.
2nd Policeman (Tony Capstick
(1987, 1990–2004) Capstick made his first appearance in the 1987 special 'Big Day at Dream Acres', before becoming a semi-regular alongside Kitson from series 12 in 1990, up to his death in 2003. His last appearance was the episode 'Yours Truly - If You're Not Careful'. Capstick's character was spacey and less intelligent even than the often-oblivious Cooper.
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sitcom Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine is a British sitcom written by Roy Clarke that was broadcast on BBC One. Last of the Summer Wine premiered as an episode of Comedy Playhouse on 4 January 1973 and the first series of episodes followed on 12 November 1973. From 1983 to 2010, Alan J. W. Bell produced and...
. The series focuses primarily on a trio of old men and their interaction with other characters in town. Due to the longevity of the series it has often been necessary to replace key characters due to an actor's death, illness, or unavailability for other reasons. Many characters were first seen in "one-off" appearances and were popular enough or felt to have enough potential for them to be brought back as regulars, in some instances replacing previous members of the cast.
Principal cast durations
| Character | Series | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Last of the Summer Wine (series 1) Last of the Summer Wine's first series originally aired on BBC One between 12 November 1973 and 17 December 1973. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by James Gilbert.... |
2 Last of the Summer Wine (series 2) Last of the Summer Wine's second series originally aired on BBC One between 5 March 1975 and 16 April 1975. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Bernard Thompson.... |
3 Last of the Summer Wine (series 3) Last of the Summer Wine's third series originally aired on BBC One between 27 October 1976 and 8 December 1976. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced by Sydney Lotterby.... |
4 Last of the Summer Wine (series 4) Last of the Summer Wine's fourth series originally aired on BBC One between 9 November 1977 and 4 January 1978. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Sydney Lotterby.... |
5 Last of the Summer Wine (series 5) Last of the Summer Wine's fifth series originally aired on BBC One between 18 September 1979 and 30 October 1979. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Sydney Lotterby.... |
6 Last of the Summer Wine (series 6) Last of the Summer Wine's sixth series originally aired on BBC One between 4 January 1982 and 15 February 1982. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W... |
7 Last of the Summer Wine (series 7) Last of the Summer Wine's seventh series originally aired on BBC One between 30 January 1983 and 6 March 1983. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Sydney Lotterby.... |
8 Last of the Summer Wine (series 8) Last of the Summer Wine's eighth series originally aired on BBC One between 10 March 1985 and 14 April 1985. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W... |
9 Last of the Summer Wine (series 9) Last of the Summer Wine's ninth series originally aired on BBC One between 4 January 1987 and 22 March 1987. All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W... |
10 Last of the Summer Wine (series 10) The Last of the Summer Wines tenth series aired on BBC One. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W... |
11 Last of the Summer Wine (series 11) The Last of the Summer Wines eleventh series aired on BBC One. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W. Bell.-Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-List of episodes:-Christmas episode 1989:... |
12 Last of the Summer Wine (series 12) The Last of the Summer Wines twelfth series aired on BBC One. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W... |
13 Last of the Summer Wine (series 13) The Last of the Summer Wines thirteenth series aired on BBC One. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W. Bell.... |
14 Last of the Summer Wine (series 14) The Last of the Summer Wines fourteenth series aired on BBC One. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W. Bell.-Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-List of episodes:-Christmas episode 1992:... |
15 Last of the Summer Wine (series 15) The Last of the Summer Wines fifteenth series aired on BBC One. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W. Bell.-Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-List of episodes:-1993 Christmas Special:... |
16 Last of the Summer Wine (series 16) The Last of the Summer Wines sixteenth series aired on BBC One. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W. Bell.-Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-1995 New Year Special:-Regular Series:... |
17 Last of the Summer Wine (series 17) Last of the Summer Wine's seventeenth series aired on BBC One. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W. Bell.-Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-List of episodes:... |
18 Last of the Summer Wine (series 18) -Outline:The trio in this series consisted of: Truly's only appearance in this series was There Goes the Groom-List of Episodes:-1997 Christmas Special:... |
19 Last of the Summer Wine (series 19) -Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-List of Episodes:... |
20 Last of the Summer Wine (series 20) -Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-List of Episodes:... |
21 Last of the Summer Wine (series 21) -Outline:The trio in this series consisted of: Compo only appeared in the Special and the first three episodes of this series prior to his death Tom only appeared in four episodes of this series and became a supporting character from series 22 till the shows end... |
22 Last of the Summer Wine (series 22) -Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-First appearanes:Herman Teesdale Toby Mulberry Smith -List of Episodes:-2001 Christmas Special:... |
23 Last of the Summer Wine (series 23) -Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-List of Episodes:-2002 Christmas Special:... |
24 Last of the Summer Wine (series 24) -Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-List of episodes:-2003 Christmas Special:... |
25 Last of the Summer Wine (series 25) -Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-Cast changes:Louis Emerick takes over from Tony Capstick as the 2nd Policeman following the latters death a year before. It should be noted that the former previously played the role twice in the late 1980s... |
26 Last of the Summer Wine (series 26) -Outline:The quartet in this series consisted of:-List of episodes:-2005 Christmas Special:... |
27 Last of the Summer Wine (series 27) -Outline:The quartet in this series consisted of:-List of Episodes:-2006 Christmas Special:... |
28 Last of the Summer Wine (series 28) -Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-List of Episodes:... |
29 Last of the Summer Wine (series 29) The Last of the Summer Wine's twenty-ninth series aired on BBC One from 22 June to 31 August 2008. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W. Bell.-Outline:The trio in this series consisted of:-List of episodes:... |
30 Last of the Summer Wine (series 30) Last of the Summer Wine's thirtieth series originally aired 19th April 2009. All eleven episodes in series thirty were thirty minutes in length. A New Years Special aired on 31 December 2008. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and directed by Alan J. W... |
31 Last of the Summer Wine (series 31) Last of the Summer Wine's thirty first series was aired in 2010, beginning on 25 July. All six episodes in series thirty one were thirty minutes in length. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and directed by Alan J. W... |
||
| Compo | Bill Owen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clegg | Peter Sallis Peter Sallis Peter Sallis, OBE is an English actor and entertainer, well-known for his work on British television. Although he was born and brought up in London, his two most notable roles require him to adopt the accents and mannerisms of a Northerner.Sallis is best known for his role as the main character... |
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| Blamire | M. Bates Michael Bates (actor) Michael Bates was a British actor born in Jhansi, United Provinces, India.-Biography:Bates served as a Major serving with the Brigade of Gurkhas in Burma before his discharge at the end of World War II... |
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| Foggy | Brian Wilde Brian Wilde Brian George Wilde was an English actor, best known for his roles in television comedy, including Mr Barrowclough in Porridge and "Foggy" Dewhurst in Last of the Summer Wine... |
Brian Wilde Brian Wilde Brian George Wilde was an English actor, best known for his roles in television comedy, including Mr Barrowclough in Porridge and "Foggy" Dewhurst in Last of the Summer Wine... |
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| Seymour | M. Aldridge Michael Aldridge Michael William ffolliott Aldridge was an English actor. While it was his role as Seymour in the television series Last of the Summer Wine which made him widely recognised, his long career as a successful character actor on stage and screen dated back to the 1930s.-Early life:The son of Dr... |
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| Truly | Frank Thornton Frank Thornton Frank Thornton is an English actor who is best known for playing Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? and its sequel Grace & Favour and as Truly in Last of the Summer Wine.-Early life:... |
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| Billy | Keith Clifford Keith Clifford Keith Clifford in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, UK is a British actor best known for his role as Billy Hardcastle on Last of the Summer Wine between 1999 and 2006.... |
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| Entwistle | Burt Kwouk Burt Kwouk Burt Kwouk OBE , born Herbert Kwouk, is an English actor of Chinese descent, known for many television appearances and for his role as Cato in the Pink Panther films.-Career:... |
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| Alvin | Brian Murphy Brian Murphy (actor) Brian Murphy is a British actor.Murphy was born in Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Although a prolific actor in many films and theatre productions for almost half a century, Murphy's most famous role was as the henpecked husband George Roper in the sitcom Man About the House and spin-off George and... |
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| Hobbo | R. Abbot Russ Abbot Russ Abbot is an English musician, comedian and actor who first came to public notice during the 1970s as the singer and drummer with British comedy showband the Black Abbots, later forging a prominent solo career as a television comedian with his own weekly show on British television.Continuing... |
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| Nora | Kathy Staff Kathy Staff Kathy Staff was an English actress, well known for her work on British television... |
Kathy Staff Kathy Staff Kathy Staff was an English actress, well known for her work on British television... |
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| Ivy | Jane Freeman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The "Summer Wine" Trio
William 'Compo' Simmonite (Bill Owen)
(1973-2000) - Dressed in scruffy trousers and Wellington bootWellington boot
The Wellington boot, also known as rubber-boots, wellies, wellingtons, topboots, billy-boots, gumboots, gummies, barnboots, wellieboots, muckboots, sheepboots, shitkickers, or rainboots are a type of boot based upon leather Hessian boots...
s, Compo rarely (if ever) worked for a living, preferring the lazy life. The name probably derived from the term 'compo' a shortened version of the word 'compensation', sometimes used to refer to people living off compensation from an on-the-job injury. A great physical comedian, Compo was often the butt of jokes arising from the many dirty jobs, stunts and escapades that were a central feature of the series. Another recurring theme was Compo's affection for his next-door neighbour, Nora Batty, of whose 'wrinkled stockings' he would frequently despair.
Compo leads a seemingly idyllic lifestyle, chatting and bickering with others, betting on horses, and playing with his ferrets. In fact, Compo was written as a fragile underdog, with a childlike addiction to fun and the joys of living. He thrives on the authority and argument he gets from the third member of the trio, as is evident from the regret he expresses in his moping around the café after the departure of Blamire in the third series episode, "The Man from Oswestry."
Compo was written out of the series in 2000 following the death of Owen a year earlier. Although Compo was already seriously ill, according to Truly and Clegg, it was the sight of Nora Batty in chorus girl clothes that finished him off, but he died with a smile on his face (as claimed by Truly, Clegg and Nora).
Compo was referred to as 'Uncle Bill' by his nephew Gordon Simmonite in episodes in 1976.
Norman Clegg (Peter SallisPeter SallisPeter Sallis, OBE is an English actor and entertainer, well-known for his work on British television. Although he was born and brought up in London, his two most notable roles require him to adopt the accents and mannerisms of a Northerner.Sallis is best known for his role as the main character...
)
(1973-2010) Pessimistic, with a wry sense of humour. Clegg aims for a quiet respectable retirement following his redundancyLayoff
Layoff , also called redundancy in the UK, is the temporary suspension or permanent termination of employment of an employee or a group of employees for business reasons, such as when certain positions are no longer necessary or when a business slow-down occurs...
from his job as a lino
Linoleum
Linoleum is a floor covering made from renewable materials such as solidified linseed oil , pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, most commonly on a burlap or canvas backing; pigments are often added to the materials.The finest linoleum floors,...
salesman, but is continually involved in the schemes of Foggy and the others. Despite having been married for 31 years - he is now a widower; his wife Edith was deceased when the series began - Clegg fearfully shies away from women. Perfectly content reading alone in his cosy home, he also finds fascination in some of the simpler things in life, such as Sid's skirting board. He is also so reserved and shy that he famously wears several layers of clothing: vest/long johns, shirt, jumper/sweater, waistcoat/suit vest, jacket/sport coat, and finally a plastic mac, which he just carries when it's not windy or raining. He is also the only one of the trio that has a driving licence and therefore occasionally finds himself reluctantly pressured into driving on the very rare occasions that they are not merely strolling about locally and manage to avail themselves of a vehicle sans driver. This invariably results in a panic attack
Panic attack
Panic attacks are periods of intense fear or apprehension that are of sudden onset and of relatively brief duration. Panic attacks usually begin abruptly, reach a peak within 10 minutes, and subside over the next several hours...
for Clegg, who fumbles about with the gears and pedals uncontrollably, limiting his speed to about 3mph (which is just to his liking).
Clegg was the sounding-board for Compo's glee and the third man's authority, and was often instrumental in pointing out the pitfalls concealed within the schemes of the third man. Clegg is also well known for his philosophical asides, which have received praise for interjecting intellectual material into the series. In early episodes, Clegg was much more forthright and adventurous. Within a few years he became more retiring and cautious (although was still seen to relish the odd practical joke or escapade), and the group came to be dominated by Foggy and the "third men" that succeeded him. In the two final series he became a secondary character (due to the fact that Sallis, alongside Frank Thornton, were now over 80, leading to complications over insurance when on location filming), so his role was filled by Entwistle. He was also the only character to appear in every single episode of the programme.
Cyril Blamire (Michael BatesMichael Bates (actor)Michael Bates was a British actor born in Jhansi, United Provinces, India.-Biography:Bates served as a Major serving with the Brigade of Gurkhas in Burma before his discharge at the end of World War II...
)
(1973–1975) The first third man, and the most childishly argumentative, Blamire was the contrast to Compo. Blamire was fired up by displays of youthful enthusiasm, energetic gusto, or any sign of the British spirit. He served as a corporalCorporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
in the Royal Signals regiment during the "The Great Fight for Freedom""
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...
as a supply wallah (a storeman) in India and retains his military bearing. He was a Tory
Tory
Toryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...
and a self-important know-it-all
Know-it-all
A know-it-all or know-all is a person who believes that he/she has an accurate comprehension of a topic and/or situation when in reality, his/her comprehension is inaccurate and limited. This belief may or may not be outwardly expressed. The German word Besserwisser is also used in some languages,...
with upper-class
Upper class
In social science, the "upper class" is the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. Members of an upper class may have great power over the allocation of resources and governmental policy in their area.- Historical meaning :...
aspirations who often dissociated himself from the other two, especially Compo, owing to his perceived superiority to them. Because of his sophisticated interests and insistence on table manners
Table manners
Table manners are the rules of etiquette used while eating, which may also include the appropriate use of utensils. Different cultures observe different rules for table manners...
, Compo liked to refer to him as a "poof". In spite of this, Compo and Blamire were close, as illustrated by Compo's misery in the episodes immediately following his departure. " When Bates left the cast as a result of illness in 1975, Blamire was written out of the series; it was said that he had left to get married and the last we hear of him is a very organised letter, instructing Clegg and Compo to meet their old classmate, Foggy Dewhurst.
Walter "Foggy" Dewhurst (Brian WildeBrian WildeBrian George Wilde was an English actor, best known for his roles in television comedy, including Mr Barrowclough in Porridge and "Foggy" Dewhurst in Last of the Summer Wine...
)
(1976–1985, 1990–1997) The successor to Blamire, Foggy was a former soldier who liked to boast of his military exploits in Burma during the Second World War (in fact, he was a sign-writer). Although he considered himself very regimental and heroic, when confronted Foggy was generally meek and incompetent. Like the previous third man- and all subsequent third men- he considered himself the leader of the trio, and frequently took charge of Compo and Clegg. Foggy Dewhurst was infamous for trying to figure out a solution to the trio's everyday problems, only to make them much worse. In earlier years Foggy wore a scarf with regimental colours on it. When Wilde left the series in 1985 to star in his own sitcom, it was explained that Foggy had moved to Bridlington to take over his family's egg-painting business. Returning in 1990 following the impromptu departure of Michael Aldridge, he claimed he had tired of a life of egg paintingEgg decorating
Egg decorating is the art or craft of decorating eggs. It is quite a popular art/craft form because of the attractive, smooth, oval shape of the egg...
, and wanted to return to his old life. In 1997, when Wilde's illness prevented him from taking part in the series, he was written out in the Special, "There Goes the Groom", (in which the character was only seen in brief, non-face shots, played by a double; this episode also introduced his successor, Truly). An unconscious, hung-over Foggy was swept off to Blackpool by the local postmistress. There he inadvertently proposed to her in a verbal slip-up over the wedding rings of which he had taken charge "for safe keeping" (out of the dubious care of Best Man, Barry). But he must have at least liked her, as he was never heard from again. Foggy's real first name was revealed to be Walter (with the middle initial "C") ; "Foggy" is a nickname, derived from the traditional song "The Foggy Foggy Dew", aided perhaps by the fact that, in his earlier episodes, he would occasionally "blank out" everything around him to help himself to concentrate, particularly when he was thinking up new ideas or finding solutions to problems. This is particularly noticable in the episode "The Man from Oswestry"
Seymour Utterthwaite (Michael AldridgeMichael AldridgeMichael William ffolliott Aldridge was an English actor. While it was his role as Seymour in the television series Last of the Summer Wine which made him widely recognised, his long career as a successful character actor on stage and screen dated back to the 1930s.-Early life:The son of Dr...
)
(1986–1990) A snobbish inventor, Edie's brother Seymour felt it was his duty in life to educate the masses, and in particular, Compo and Clegg, to whom he was introduced by his brother-in-lawBrother-in-law
A brother-in-law is the brother of one's spouse, the husband of one's sibling, or the husband of one's spouse's sibling.-See also:*Affinity *Sister-in-law*Brothers in Law , a 1955 British comedy novel...
, Wesley Pegden, shortly before the wedding of Wesley's daughter. Whereas Cyril and Foggy tried to solve the problems of the residents of Holmfirth, Seymour liked to invent, but the resulting inventions invariably led to disaster—especially for Compo, who was always the reluctant guinea pig. (Seymour usually blamed the failure of his inventions on divine punishment for his once having had an affair with a barmaid.) Seymour's house, outside the town, was modified into a laboratory, filled with new devices and contraptions that seldom, if ever, worked properly. His sister, Edie, always spoke very highly of him and how he was 'educated', refusing to take into account his continual failed inventions. Seymour had previously been the headmaster of a school, although it is not entirely clear how successful he was in running it. When Aldridge left the series in 1990 to care for his sick wife, Seymour was last seen leaving on a bus to take up a new job as interim headmaster at a private school
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
—just as previous third man Foggy returned.
Herbert Truelove (Truly of the Yard) (Frank ThorntonFrank ThorntonFrank Thornton is an English actor who is best known for playing Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? and its sequel Grace & Favour and as Truly in Last of the Summer Wine.-Early life:...
)
(1997–2010) A retired policeman with a pompous self-importance in all things criminal, Truly is more relaxed, fun-loving, and can be more of an equal match at the local pub than his predecessors as third man . He can also be a bit more devious with practical jokePractical joke
A practical joke is a mischievous trick played on someone, typically causing the victim to experience embarrassment, indignity, or discomfort. Practical jokes differ from confidence tricks in that the victim finds out, or is let in on the joke, rather than being fooled into handing over money or...
s or witty schemes. Likewise, he can be equally sly in getting people out of a scrape or just helping out a friend. He is divorced, and makes disparaging comments about "the former Mrs Truelove" (who evidently feels the same way about him, judging by the reaction of her new husband, who appears in one episode, to Truly). Because of his previous involvement with the police, Truly refers to himself as "Truly of the Yard".. In the two final series he is demoted to a secondary character along with Norman Clegg, so his role as third man was filled by Hobbo.
Billy Hardcastle (Keith CliffordKeith CliffordKeith Clifford in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, UK is a British actor best known for his role as Billy Hardcastle on Last of the Summer Wine between 1999 and 2006....
)
(1999, 2000, 2001–2006) Billy Hardcastle was first introduced in the 1999 series as a guest star and also appeared in the 2000 New YearNew Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
's special and a guest role in the 2000 series. Because of his popularity, he was made a regular character in the 2001 series.
Billy believes he is a direct descendant of Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
. His first appearance on the show showed him attempting to recruit a band of Merry Men to go with him while he robs from the rich to give to the poor. At the end of the 21st series, Billy moves next door to Truly and is teamed as the third member of the trio. When Billy joined with Clegg and Truly, much of the humour Compo previously brought to the series returned in Billy's child-like demeanour, although an element of physical humour
Physical comedy
Physical comedy, also known as slapstick, is a comedic performance relying mostly on the use of the body to convey humour.Physical comedy, whether conveyed by a pratfall , a silly face, or the action of walking into walls, is a common and rarely subtle form of comedy...
was still lacking in the series. Much of his dialogue bemoaned the domestic presence of "the wife" or "the wife's sister". Billy was last seen at the end of the 27th series following the departure of Keith Clifford from the show to pursue other work at the time.
Alvin Smedley (Brian MurphyBrian Murphy (actor)Brian Murphy is a British actor.Murphy was born in Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Although a prolific actor in many films and theatre productions for almost half a century, Murphy's most famous role was as the henpecked husband George Roper in the sitcom Man About the House and spin-off George and...
)
(2003–2010)Alvin Smedley was introduced in the 2003 series as Nora Batty's new next door neighbour following the death of Compo. When Tom's former acquaintance, Mrs. Avery, gives up the lease she owns on Compo's old house, Alvin purchases it. Although he publicly claims to hate Nora Batty, he feels it is his duty to try to bring some joy to her life, often in the form of practical jokes similar to those Compo once played on her. In the 2005 series he joined the main trio thus making them a quartet but after the 2006 series following Billy Hardcastle's departure the quartet once again became a trio although in the 2007 and 2008 series he was mostly teamed up with Entwistle. In the final two series he and Entwistle teamed up with Hobbo, thus making a new trio.
'Electrical' Entwistle (Burt KwoukBurt KwoukBurt Kwouk OBE , born Herbert Kwouk, is an English actor of Chinese descent, known for many television appearances and for his role as Cato in the Pink Panther films.-Career:...
)
(2002–2010) Electrician and fortune-teller from the land of eastern wisdom, HullKingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
. His real name is McIntyre but he changed it so people wouldn't mistake him for a Scotsman. When Wesley died, Entwistle took over his job of shuttling the others across the countryside in a battered red Toyota Hilux
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is a series of compact pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck...
pick-up truck, and occasionally constructing the various contraptions the main trio produce. He also seems to be taking over a character version of Auntie Wainwright, although he mainly sells second-hand washing machines.
Following the departure of Billy Hardcastle in series 28, Entwistle has often been paired with Alvin, with many stories revolving around their dealings with Howard or Barry. From series 30 to series 31, Entwistle becomes the second man in a new trio when Hobbo arrives and recruits Alvin and Entwistle to form a band of volunteers to respond to emergencies in the village.
Luther 'Hobbo' Hobdyke (Russ AbbotRuss AbbotRuss Abbot is an English musician, comedian and actor who first came to public notice during the 1970s as the singer and drummer with British comedy showband the Black Abbots, later forging a prominent solo career as a television comedian with his own weekly show on British television.Continuing...
)
(2008–2010)Hobbo is a former milkman with ties to MI5 who was first introduced in the 2008 New Years special, to set up his role in the upcoming 30th series. He is Clegg's new next door neighbour. Upon first arriving in the village, Hobbo recruits Alvin and Entwistle to form a small band of volunteers who will react to any emergency that arises in the village, thus forming a new trio. Hobbo is incredibly cautious, and always on the lookout for enemy attack. He fondly remembers his time spent with MI5, when he used to leap from aeroplanes ("Holding crates of milk?" asks Entwistle) and dive for cover from enemy fire. Clegg and Truly recall that Hobbo was never much of a milkman but was exemplary at needlework. He was also one of the last new characters to be introduced to the series.
Nora Batty (Kathy StaffKathy StaffKathy Staff was an English actress, well known for her work on British television...
)
(1973–2001, 2002–2008) Compo's next door neighbour, Nora is proudly devoted to strict housework, and stands as a monument to classic northern women. During her marriage she used to keep her husband, Wally, under her thumb. Despite Nora's gruff manner (and famously wrinkled stockings) Compo is desperately in love with her, with a lust that is used to generate comic situations as he comes up with various plots and schemes to try to impress Nora (a plot device that was used a great many times, particularly from the mid-1980s until Compo's death). Although initially a stern Northern "battleaxe", Nora showed on occasion, particularly as the years passed, that underneath she is actually a rather caring and kind woman—although she doesn't openly promote the fact. She even seemed to grow fond of Compo- in the 1996 Christmas special "Extra! Extra!", she was bowled over at the sight of him in military uniform. She also seemed very flattered when Compo sang about his feelings for her at a concert in the previous year's Christmas special. When Bill Owen died in 1999, Staff initially announced her plans to leave the series, feeling that it would not be the same without him. With the introduction of Compo's son Tom (played by his real life son Tom Owen), however, she was persuaded to stay. Staff actually did leave the series in 2001, to reprise her role as cleaner Doris Luke in the doomed revival of soap Crossroads, with Nora said to be emigrating to Australia. When Crossroads folded, Staff returned, with nothing said about Nora's trip to Australia or her sudden return. She continued to play the character until shortly before her death in 2008. With Staff unable to appear in Series 30 because of ill health, Nora was again said to have left for Australia, this time to care for her elder sister, Madge. Staff also played a very Nora-like character, Mrs. Blewitt, in another of writer Roy ClarkeRoy Clarke
Roy Clarke OBE is an English comedy writer.-Career:Clarke is best known for creating BBC Sitcoms; Last of the Summer Wine, Open All Hours and Keeping Up Appearances...
's hits, Open All Hours
Open All Hours
Open All Hours is a BBC sitcom written by Roy Clarke which ran for four series a first run in 1976, a second run in 1981, third in 1982 and finally with a fourth run in 1985, with a pilot episode from the Seven of One series in 1973...
, from 1976 to 1985.
Wally Batty (Joe GladwinJoe GladwinJoe Gladwin was a British actor born in the Ordsall district of Salford, Lancashire. He was baptised at Mount Carmel RC Church, Ordsall and educated at the parish school...
)
(1975–1987) Nora's perennially shell-shocked husband and Compo's next-door neighbour, Wally Batty was a short quiet man, kept on a short leash by his wife. His relationship with Nora stood in stark contrast to Compo's unrequited lust after her; in fact, he often welcomed the prospect of Compo running off with her. Initially mentioned but not seen, he first appeared on screen in 1975. He was generally seen doing chores or stealing a quick moment away from Nora at the pub. Wally had a passion for racing pigeons and owned a motorbike and sidecar, occasionally taking Nora for a spin around the countryside. With the death of Joe Gladwin in 1987, the character died off screen, but is still occasionally mentioned. (Note: in the pilot episode of the series, which was part of the Comedy PlayhouseComedy Playhouse
Comedy Playhouse was a long-running British anthology series of one-off unrelated sitcoms that aired for 120 episodes from 1961 to 1975. Many episodes later graduated to their own series, including Steptoe and Son, Till Death Us Do Part, All Gas and Gaiters, The Liver Birds, Are You Being Served?...
strand, Nora referred to her unseen husband as Harold, not Wally).
Stella (Barbara YoungBarbara Young (actor)Barbara Young is an English actress. She is probably best known for her role as the future Emperor Nero's mother, Agrippinilla, in the landmark 1976 BBC serial I, Claudius....
)
(2008–2010) Stella is Nora's sister, and first appeared in the 2008 New Years Special, I Was A Hitman for Primrose Dairies as a replacement for the actress Kathy Staff, who was unable to continue her role as Nora owing to ill health. With Nora having departed for Australia, Stella moved in to house-sit for her sister, and has become a new member of the elder women's talking circle. She is a former barmaid and appears to take a more free-spirited approach to life than Nora, as evidenced by her brighter wardrobe and hair. The storyline in her first episode saw her trying to give up smoking, and her yearning for a cigarette has continued unabated into subsequent episodes.Ivy (Jane Freeman)
(1973–2010) joint owner of tea-shop with husband Sid, with whom she would often have blazing rows in the kitchen, until his death. She now runs it solely, and viciously scolds anyone who dares misbehave or criticise the food. Generally the wisest and most level-headed of the show's female social circle, she was also on occasion a target of Compo's (unwanted) affection, who often said that if it wasn't for Nora Batty, he'd be all over her. When taking into account Kathy Staff's brief exit from the show in 2001 and later absence from series 30 to series 31 (see above), Jane Freeman as Ivy is the only character other than Clegg (Peter SallisPeter Sallis
Peter Sallis, OBE is an English actor and entertainer, well-known for his work on British television. Although he was born and brought up in London, his two most notable roles require him to adopt the accents and mannerisms of a Northerner.Sallis is best known for his role as the main character...
) to have been present throughout the course of the series (although Clegg is the only one to have appeared in every single episode), however she was not present in the final episode of the series.
Sid (John ComerJohn ComerJohn Comer was a British actor best known for his comedy roles in the television series I Didn't Know You Cared, Last of the Summer Wine and All Our Saturdays.-Early life:...
)
(1973–1983), bluff tea-shop owner, who featured prominently for the first ten years, before his death in 1984. Ivy remembers him fondly, and often mentions him in conversation. Sid was one of the few characters who actually seemed to enjoy getting involved in the misadventures of the three central characters, and often saw them as an excuse to get out of the cafe for a couple of hours. Ivy and Sid often shouted and argued with each other (and Ivy was never shy about bringing up Sid's infidelity), but, as with many of the show's couples, there was little doubt that they loved each other. For John Comer's last appearance, in 1983's feature-length Christmas special, 'Getting Sam Home', illness caused by cancer affected his speech, and so his lines were dubbed over by another actor, Tony MelodyTony Melody
Anthony John "Tony" Melody was an English television actor who appeared in a number of long running comedies and soap operas. He was a prolific character actor with over 100 television roles.-Early life:...
. Comer died a few months later. Sid's death was not referred to until "Uncle of the Bride" on New Year's Day 1986. In "Just a Small Funeral" as Ivy is getting ready for Compo's funeral, she finds a photo of Sid in her handbag.
Milburn, aka "Crusher" (Jonathan LinsleyJonathan LinsleyJonathan Linsley is an English actor who made his professional debut in 1980, and has gone on to a career on the stage, television and films...
)
(1984–1987) Ivy's giant, lumbering and very strong nephew, who bore a striking resemblance to Sid. The character first appeared in 1984, to compensate for the death of John Comer who played Sid. Crusher helped his auntie Ivy out in the cafe for 3½ years. His real name was Milburn, but he insisted on being called "Crusher". He was influenced by the Rock and Rollers of the 1950s and was into heavy metal music. Well-meaning but not overly bright, he was rather easily led. Crusher was first seen in the touring stage show before being introduced into the series. However Crusher did not return in the tenth series, as Jonathan Linsley decided to leave the show after going on a crash diet: most of the character's humor came from the contrast between his menacing size and his total harmlessness. Following his departure in early 1988 after the 1987 Christmas special, Ivy ran the cafe alone (with occasional help from Nora Batty).Gordon Simmonite (Philip JacksonPhilip Jackson (actor)Philip Jackson is an English actor, known for his many television and film roles, most notably as Chief Inspector Japp in the television series Poirot and as Abbot Hugo, one of the recurring adversaries in the cult 1980s series Robin of Sherwood. Jackson was born in Retford, Nottinghamshire...
)
(1976) An oft-forgotten character, Gordon was Compo's gormless fishing-obsessed nephew, and appeared in a few 1976 episodes, joining the trio on a Bank Holiday trip to Scarborough, and in a later episode, marrying a young woman he met there. In some ways he was a prototype of Barry, who was introduced in the mid-1980s.Tom Simmonite (Tom Owen)
(2000–2010) Compo's long-lost son, arriving just after his father’s death, Tom is played by Bill Owen’s real-life son. Tom is a layabout like Compo but seems a bit more enterprising in his attempts to maintain his slothful lifestyle. Originally it was planned that Tom would fill the gap in the three-man line-up left by his father, but it was soon felt that this line-up did not quite work. For most of his time in the series, he was paired with Smiler working for Auntie Wainwright, and also, in one episode, goes to live with Smiler (though it's not clear if this continued or not). Of the duo, he designates himself the 'leader' and the planner (often leaving Smiler to struggle with Auntie Wainwright's antiquated hand-cart while he strolls on ahead), although in truth, he is not particularly bright himself. After Smiler was written out of the series, Tom continued to work for Aunty Wainwright until the conclusion of the show's run. Clegg and Truly often take advantage of his desire to live up to his father's reputation in order to convince him to do rather stupid things. After the death of Compo, Nora feels somewhat maternal towards Tom, and often showers him with affection—much to the embarrassment of Tom. He also has a scruffy puppet dog called Waldo. When not working for Auntie Wainwright, Tom can usually be found in his allotment shed, avoiding the repo man. When he first arrived in the series, Tom also had a tatty old yellow RenaultRenault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
van, but this was seen in only a couple of his early appearances.
(Note: For some years before joining the series as Tom Simmonite, Tom Owen sometimes appeared in small walk-on parts on the show (for instance appearing on the 1991 Christmas special), sometimes with no dialogue, and not always credited.)
Mrs (Lolly Minerva) Avery (Julie T. WallaceJulie T. WallaceJulie Therese Wallace is an English actress.-Biography:Julie T. Wallace is the daughter of the late Scottish actor Andrew Keir, and is the sister of the actors Sean Keir and Deirdre Keir...
)
(2000–2001) Tom's live-in "associate"; much larger than him, and something of a battle-axe, yet rather easily manipulated. Although Tom always insisted that she was merely an acquaintance, Mrs Avery always wanted more, and was under the impression that Tom had promised to marry her. After a brief spell of living in the pair's bus, they moved into the deceased Compo's home, next-door to Nora Batty. During her stay at Compo's home, she began a rivalry with Nora, often copying each other (cleaning their windows or vacuuming their rugs). This was not to last; she threw him out and disappeared from the series after only a year on the show.Babs Avery (Helen Turner)
(2000) Arriving on the scene with Tom Simmonite was Babs, Mrs. Avery's niece and a rather large and troublesome teenager who was involved in several of Tom's schemes. The character was not well received and did not last long on the show; after the handful of episodes that remained of her inaugural season, she quietly disappeared.The Pegdens/Utterthwaites
Seymour Utterthwaite was the third man of the trio from 1986 to 1990. He left the series in 1990 when Foggy Dewhurst returned to the show, but his family had gained so much popularity themselves that they remained on the show.Wesley Pegden (Gordon WharmbyGordon WharmbyGordon Wharmby was a British television actor. He was best-known for the role of Wesley Pegden on Last of the Summer Wine....
)
(1982, 1984–2002) Edie's husband, who spends all his time in his workshop/garage. In one of the most popular and often recycled scenes in the series, Edie would call Wesley in from his garage (after much shouting, first in gentle 'posh' tones, before ending up in harsh yelling) and would lay down a trail of newspaper for him to stand on—often putting one on the wall just in time as he leant against it. Wesley generally kept out of Edie's way in his garage, restoring old motors. The character first appeared in the 1982 episode 'Car and Garter' in a cameo role. The writer and producers liked him so much that they brought him back for the 1984 Christmas Special 'The Loxley Lozenge' and the 1985 special 'Who's Looking After The Cafe Then?'. He reappeared in the 1986 feature-length 'Uncle Of The Bride', in which he was established as Edie's husband, at which point both became regulars. Mechanic Wesley was often called upon by the main trio to construct the many bizarre creations they came up with, and to drive them into the hills for test runs. One reoccurring theme is the occasional explosion caused by projects in Wesley's shed and accompanied by billows of white smoke. On some occasions, Wesley's hat is also smoldering and smoking. In his early years in the series, Wesley seemed to have a love of loud rock musicRock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, which led to the trio desperately trying to call over it to get his attention on a number of occasions. When Wharmby died in 2002, the character also died; although he was not formally written out, subsequent references to him were in the past tense.
Edith "Edie" Pegden (Dame Thora HirdThora HirdDame Thora Hird DBE was an English actress.-Early life and career:Hird was born in the Lancashire seaside town of Morecambe. She first appeared on stage at the age of two months in a play her father was managing...
)
(1986–2003), a highly opinionated older woman, sister of Seymour Utterthwaite (who called her Edith), she was the house-proud hostess of the women's coffee mornings. She was introduced, along with Seymour, daughter Glenda and son-in-law Barry in the 1986 episode "Uncle of the Bride" (husband Wesley was introduced in 1982). The ladies' tea meetings, where they would sit and discuss life (particularly the strangeness of men), which became a popular staple of the show in the 1990s, were usually held in Edie's front room. Wesley restored a convertible car for her to drive, although she was a terrible driver, and was always accusing Wesley of moving things (particularly the gear lever) around. Another running gag would be, when going out, Edie making a big performance out of locking the front door, repeatedly pushing it to check that it was locked properly. In later years Hird, who was still in the series at age 90, suffered bad health, which particularly affected her ability to stand. To cover this, she was often seen sitting down, or, when standing, had something to hold on to (often out of camera shot). For driving and distance shots, her double (Amy Shaw) was used. When Hird died in 2003, Edie was also said to have died. As with husband Wesley, it was not immediately made obvious. Later references to the character were used to indicate that she had died. In the final 3 series, a framed photo of Edie can be seen on Barry and Glenda's mantelpieceFireplace mantel
Fireplace mantel or mantelpiece, also known as a chimneypiece, originated in medieval times as a hood that projected over a grate to catch the smoke. The term has evolved to include the decorative framework around the fireplace, and can include elaborate designs extending to the ceiling...
. In one episode Barry talks about ghosts and Glenda asks if he had seen her mother. Barry's response in the negative includes immense gladness in that she scared him enough alive.
For the first few series in which she appeared, Edie was extremely concerned with her reputation in the neighbourhood: whenever there was company, Edie would try to put on a posh, educated voice—which would suddenly vanish when she was shouting for (or at) Wesley. This aspect of Edie's character acted as a prototype for Hyacinth Bucket
Hyacinth Bucket
Hyacinth Bucket, who insists her last name is pronounced "Bouquet" , is the main character in the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances , played by Patricia Routledge.-Personality:...
in Keeping Up Appearances
Keeping Up Appearances
Keeping Up Appearances is a British sitcom created and written by Roy Clarke for the BBC. Centred on the life of eccentric, social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket , the sitcom portrays a social hierarchy-ruled British society...
(also written by Roy Clarke
Roy Clarke
Roy Clarke OBE is an English comedy writer.-Career:Clarke is best known for creating BBC Sitcoms; Last of the Summer Wine, Open All Hours and Keeping Up Appearances...
). Once the latter series was created, this aspect of Edie's personality was toned down a bit (although not completely) in order to separate the two characters.
Glenda Wilkinson (Sarah Thomas)
(Sarah Thomas: 1986–2010) daughter of Edie and Wesley. The other women in the group consider that she is somewhat naive, despite her being middle-aged. When her mother was alive, if she attempted to join in a mature conversation, Edie would snap "drink your coffee!" She speaks glowingly of her husband Barry, but is often insecure and unsatisfied with him at home, often because of the pressure of her mother and other ladies in the group. She often comes to the defence of men when other women in the group speak the worst about them and does not believe that all men are evil, as they do. She appears, like her husband, to have a very meek demeanour, but under duress she has proven to be quite a force to be reckoned with. In the very last episode of all, Glenda seem clearly to have joined the bossy Yorkshire women brigade in her issuance of suggestions to Barry and Morton that are, in Barry's words "not optional". Although the rest of the ladies (particularly Pearl) had a dislike for the flirtatious Marina, Glenda was seen to strike up friendship with her on a number of occasions (although this role was generally taken by Miss Davenport in the later series).Barry Wilkinson (Mike Grady)
(1986–1990, 1996–2010) meek and mild husband of Glenda. Dull and ineffectual, accountant Barry strives for adventure but seems destined for paperwork and domesticity. His one pride is his shiny new car, which he was always trying to keep away from father-in-law Wesley, who could not resist tinkering under the bonnet. Barry is often trying out new hobbies in an attempt to stop his life being humdrum; and in more recent years, has made a number of attempts to fit in at a local golf club, often upsetting the golf captain "The Major". After being introduced in the feature-length "Uncle Of The Bride" in 1986, which centres around Barry and Glenda's wedding, Barry was much-mentioned but not seen for a few years when Mike Grady left to pursue several other television projects, before returning as a regular in the mid-1990s. He is one of the few characters to have left the series but returned in later series.Ros Utterthwaite (Dora BryanDora BryanDora May Bryan OBE is an English actress of stage, film and television.-Early life:Bryan was born as Dora May Broadbent in Southport, Lancashire, England. Her father was a salesman and she attended Hathershaw County Primary School in Oldham, Lancashire...
)
(2000–2005) Edie's and Seymour's sister, who has always been more romantically adventurous, to Edie's unending shame. She often speaks of past flings, frequently with married men. She was often paired with Pearl Sibshaw. Ros was last seen at the end of the 26th series following the departure of Dora Bryan owing to ill health. Her role of being paired with Pearl was replaced by June Whitfield's character Nelly.Howard Sibshaw (Robert FyfeRobert FyfeRobert Fyfe is a Scottish actor, who has appeared as Howard on the long-running British sitcom Last of the Summer Wine from 1985 to 2010....
)
(1985–2010) Howard is the shy, simpering, henpecked husband of Pearl. Doubtless owing to his wife's domineering nature, Howard often tries to escape from her. Most episode involve Howard dating peroxide blonde, Marina, behind his wife's back. In most episodes, Marina would simper, "Oh Howard.", followed by Howard's "Oh Marina.". He is a creative but unconvincing liar. He and Pearl live next door to Clegg, and, much to the annoyance of Clegg, Howard is always pestering him for aid in his various schemes to escape Pearl and be with Marina. Over the years he has come up with countless disguises, cover stories and hideaways to allow him to see Marina, all of which have ultimately been doomed or exposed by Pearl. He tends to ignore Marina when he's out with her, partly out of fear of his wife Pearl, and partly because he gets so deeply caught up in fabricating charades to cover up his affair. However, their relationship doesn't appear to have gone beyond hand-holding and gazing into each other's eyes (much to the annoyance of Marina). Howard is often too busy worrying about Pearl to pay Marina any kind of romantic attention, and it is hinted that even if the opportunity ever did arise, Howard would be too cowardly to go through with it anyway. Perhaps for this reason, it has also been suggested that Howard loves Pearl underneath it all. Howard first appeared in the BournemouthBournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
summer season show of the series, and was popular enough and felt to have enough potential that he was soon made a regular character. At first, he, Pearl and Marina were used semi-regularly, but as time passed and their popularity grew, they appeared in every episode. Howard and Pearl's surname was given as Sibshaw in Roy Clarke's novel 'The Moonbather' in 1987, but almost never used in the series- it was given in only the very last series.
Pearl Sibshaw (Juliette KaplanJuliette Kaplanhttp://www.juliettekaplan.com/Juliette Kaplan is a British actress, real name Marlene Hoser. She is most famous for playing the role of Pearl in the BBC comedy Last of the Summer Wine, from 1985 to 2010. She also did a tour around British theatres in a one actor show, performing as Pearl...
)
(1985–2010) Howard's wife, a bit of a shrew and always one step ahead of his crafty schemes, she is often shown to know about his (attempted) affair with Marina, but is almost gleefully obsessed with exposing Howard's philandering and generally tormenting him. Although she has a fearsome reputation, she, like Nora, occasionally surprises Norman Clegg and others (not including Howard) with displays of kindness, especially after Compo died.When she was first introduced on the show, Pearl was somewhat naive, especially towards Howard's affair with Marina. When introduced to the ladies' tea group, Nora, Ivy, and Edie integrated her into the group and, over time, her demeanour has hardened.
Marina (Jean FergussonJean FergussonJean Fergusson is a British television and theatre actress, who is best known for playing the part of Marina on the British situation comedy Last of the Summer Wine from 1985 until it was axed in 2010, and her role as Dorothy in the soap Coronation Street.In theatre, Fergusson's show She Knows You...
)
(1985–2010) busty but over-age, Howard's love interest Marina works in a local supermarket. Despite her carefree appearance and large chest, Marina is a long-suffering type, having to deal with the disapproval of the prominent village women, the indirect wrath of Pearl, and timorous and neglectful romancing by Howard. Although at first seeming a "tart", in truth Marina is only longingly searching for love. Marina works as a check-out girl at the local Co-opThe Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group Ltd. is a United Kingdom consumer cooperative with a diverse range of business interests. It is co-operatively run and owned by its members. It is the largest organisation of this type in the world, with over 5.5 million members, who all have a say in how the business is...
(although in more recent series, the store's name has been seen as Lodges); Howard often sneaks there to pass or receive notes from her (or more often sends Norman Clegg in his place; leading on several occasions for Marina to believe mistakenly that Clegg is interested in her romantically). Marina longs for love, and seems to have a particularly soft spot for Clegg. In A Sidecar Named Desire Clegg reveals that he was once trapped in a lift with Marina and they had to cuddle together to keep warm. Though she perceived it to be a romantic incident, it left Clegg terrified of her. Clegg always strongly denies any romantic interest in her. Marina first appeared in the spin-off 1984 Eastbourne
Eastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
summer season show, and soon became a regular character. In A Sidecar Named Desire, Compo says of Marina, "she's not for marrying, she's for educational purposes".
Aunty Wainwright's Shop
See Also: Tom SimmoniteAunty Wainwright (Jean AlexanderJean AlexanderJean 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...
)
(1988, 1989, 1992–2010) sly and grasping junk shop owner. She is Howard's "Aunty" and while both have a general predisposition towards sneakiness, Aunty Wainwright is much more adept at applying it. Clegg is reluctant to go into her store, since she always sells him something he doesn't want. In addition to her junk shop, she has also been seen owning a junk yard where Compo went to meet one of his long-time loves. She is extremely mean, and pretends to be cheated when she gives the slightest discount. At Compo's funeral, she grabbed Eli by the arm and pretended to be blind in order to avoid giving money to a collection outside the church.As with several other characters, she originally was seen in a "one-off" appearance in the 1988 Christmas Special Crums, and was so popular that she was brought back, eventually becoming a regular from 1992 until the end of the series in 2010. Note: Aunty Wainwright is no relation to Mr Wainwright from the library. (See Below)
Clem "Smiler" Hemmingway (Stephen LewisStephen Lewis (actor)Stephen Lewis is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake in the LWT Sitcom On the Buses, Clem "Smiler" Hemmingway in the longest running sitcom Last of the Summer Wine and Harry Lambert in BBC Television's Oh, Doctor Beeching!.-Career:Lewis began his...
)
(Stephen LewisStephen Lewis (actor)
Stephen Lewis is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake in the LWT Sitcom On the Buses, Clem "Smiler" Hemmingway in the longest running sitcom Last of the Summer Wine and Harry Lambert in BBC Television's Oh, Doctor Beeching!.-Career:Lewis began his...
: 1988, 1990–2007) eternally miserable and none-too-bright comic foil, similar to Lewis' character Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake in LWT's hit comedy On The Buses
On The Buses
On the Buses was a British situation comedy created by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney which was broadcast in the UK from 1969 to 1973. The writers' previous successes with The Rag Trade and Meet the Wife were for the BBC, but the Corporation rejected On the Buses, not seeing much comedy potential...
(many episodes of which he co-wrote) from 1969 to 1973. Smiler was first seen as a one-off character in 1988's 'That Certain Smile', in which the trio had to sneak a hospitalised Smiler's beloved dog Bess in to see him. The character was popular enough to be brought back on a semi-regular basis, and was a regular throughout the 1990s and most of the 2000s (although his dog died between his first and second appearances). In some early appearances, he was a lollipop man, but for much of his time on the show worked for Auntie Wainwright, with whom he seems to be suffering some sort of indentured servitude. In early appearances, Smiler was also a lodger with Nora Batty, which enraged the jealous Compo. Smiler also owned a big, but rather beaten up and poorly maintained, white convertible 1972 Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
, in which he sometimes drove around with Tom, and which on occasion has been used in various promotions for Auntie Wainwright. Smiler was last seen in the series 28 episode "Sinclair and the Wormley Witches". Lewis left the show at the end of series 28 because of ill health. He was last mentioned in the series 29 episode "Of Passion and Pizza" by Tom's saying that Smiler had disappeared from the series.
Mr Wainwright (Blake ButlerBlake ButlerBlake Butler was a British actor best known for his regular role as Mr. Wainright during the first three series of Last of the Summer Wine between 1973 and 1976...
)
(1973 and 1976) The rather timid head of the local library, which the trio visited a lot in the show's early days. Mr Wainwright left at the same time as Mrs Partridge's departure (see below), but was "transferred back" to the area in the third series, featuring in two episodes where he was once again romancing his new assistant, Miss Moody. (Note: Mr Wainwright is not related to Auntie Wainwright.)Mrs Partridge
(Rosemary MartinRosemary Martin
Rosemary Martin was an English actress, best-remembered for her television roles .Other notable TV credits include: Z-Cars, Crown Court, Bill Brand, Coronation Street, Pennies from...
: (1973), a librarian at the aforementioned library, and who was engaged in an affair with Mr Wainwright which they (mistakenly) believed was secret. The characters were never really felt to catch on, and disappeared as the library was written out as a favourite haunt of the main trio. However, a few years later, the storyline was resurrected and used of sorts for Howard and Marina. The library was also brought back for Foggy to get thrown out of all the time.
Miss Probert and Miss Jones
(June Watson and Janet Davies: 1975) The two librarians who briefly replaced Wainwright and Partridge during the second series. Miss Probert is a radical (for Holmfirth) feminist, who is always railing against men to the more timid Miss Jones. Miss Probert has two missions in life; one is discouraging the lending out of books she considers "filthy"; the other is making a proper man-hater out of Miss Jones, in whom she seems to take a more than professional interest.Lucinda Davenport (Josephine TewsonJosephine TewsonJosephine Tewson is an English actress. Tewson is perhaps best known for her roles as Elizabeth in the British television series Keeping Up Appearances and as Miss Davenport in the British television series Last of the Summer Wine.-Early life:Tewson was born in Hampstead, London. Her father was a...
)
(2003–2010) After many years of the library setting not really being used, Miss Davenport was introduced as the new librarian in 2003. A very emotional woman haunted by a string of past rejections, she first appeared as a guest, driving Gavin Hinchcliff around while he skied on the van roof. Originally, Glenda took up the cause of socializing her and tried to fit her in with the coffee-drinker circle of Nora, Ivy, Pearl, and co. They did not take too well to each other; in more recent episodes, she's bonded with Marina instead, with the pair of them both longing for love in their individual ways. In the episode: "In Which Howard Remembers Where He Left His Bicycle Pump", it is revealed that Miss Davenport's first name is "Lucinda".Eli Duckett (Danny O'DeaDanny O'DeaDanny O'Dea born Peter Wrenshall was a British based actor of Irish descent.He made 93 appearances as Eli Duckett in Last of the Summer Wine between 1986 and 2002, making his final appearance at the age of 91...
)
(1987–2002) An extremely short-sighted bumbler, Eli maintains a highly cheerful, friendly attitude despite not having a clue what's going on around him. He generally makes only brief cameo appearances, walking into a scene and commenting on his near-sighted interpretation of the action, and then walking off again. On occasion, his short-sightedness would see him walking into slapstick (and carefully choreographed) mishaps such as walking into the back of a lorry and over the tops of cars, or falling into a skip. For much of his time in the series, Eli also had a Jack RussellJack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied smooth, rough or broken-coated which is commonly confused with the Parson Russell terrier and the Russell terrier with the term "Jack Russell" commonly misapplied to other small white...
dog (which once went missing, leading Eli to mistake a sheep for the dog). Despite his short-sightedness, Eli is eternally cheerful and optimistic, and glad to see anyone who stops to talk to him. In one episode, a passing comment by Compo seemed to suggest that Eli was a sniper during WWII.
In the 1995 New Year Special episode featuring Norman Wisdom, 'The Man Who Nearly Knew Pavarotti', Eli is the conductor of the Holme Silver Band. Originally brought in as a friend of Wally Batty, the character was popular enough that Eli remained on the show after the death of actor Joe Gladwin
Joe Gladwin
Joe Gladwin was a British actor born in the Ordsall district of Salford, Lancashire. He was baptised at Mount Carmel RC Church, Ordsall and educated at the parish school...
. Eli and Wally appeared together in only one episode: "Jaws" in 1987.
Eli has not appeared again since the death of O'Dea, though the character has not been explicitly killed off. In the rest of the 2002 series, Eli was not present. His place of sorts was taken by two drunks (who were also in earlier episodes of the series, sometimes credited as Villagers), but appeared in only a few episodes.
In the 1988 episode "The Pig Man Cometh" of All Creatures Great and Small O'Dea played the character Rupe who, like Eli, was nearsighted, clearly alluding to his role on Last of the Summer Wine.
Nelly (June WhitfieldJune WhitfieldJune Rosemary Whitfield, CBE is an English actress, well known in the United Kingdom since the 1950s for roles in radio and television comedy series....
)
(2005–2010) A more recent addition to the ladies' coffee-drinking set, and Pearl's comrade-in-arms. Nelly's never-seen husband Travis needs constant attention, which Nelly generally administers over her mobile phone. Nelly occasionally provides more "sophisticated" viewpoints as a result of having lived further south for some time, but even she regards them with some befuddlement. June Whitfield previously made a "one off" appearance in the series as a different character, Delphi Potts, in the 2001 Christmas Special, 'Potts in Pole Position', married to Lother, the character of Warren MitchellWarren Mitchell
Warren Mitchell is an English actor who rose to initial prominence in the role of bigoted cockney Alf Garnett in the BBC television sitcom Till Death Us Do Part , and its sequels Till Death... and In Sickness and in Health , all of which were written by Johnny Speight...
, a couple of years before she became a regular as Nelly. In Series 30, she became the object of Hobbo's obsession when he became convinced that she was his long-lost mother. She was one of the only two regular characters (the other being Ivy) not to appear in the final episode.
Morton Beemish (Christopher BeenyChristopher BeenyBorn in London, Beeny began his career at the age of six when he danced for the ' Ballet Rambert. He spent several years at the ' Arts Educational School before later progressing to 'RADA.His first screen role was in the 1952 film The Long Memory...
)
(2001–2005, 2007, 2008–2010) He first appeared as an unnamed character, "the Repo man", who is always pursuing Tom Simmonite, claiming that he owes money. He is determined but gullible, and Tom always evades him. From 2005 on, he has not only been mentioned by name, but also calls on Barry for social visits, with Barry not being too thrilled at this newfound friendship. In certain episodes in 2005, it is clear that he still repossesses belongings, which Glenda suggests is the reason none of his friendships lasted: he kept repossessing his friends' goods. The character returned in a 2007 episode of the show; and again in the 2008 New Year special, saying that he has retired from debt collecting and changed his name to Morton Beemish in order to start a new life for himself. He seeks out the friendship of his former nemesis, Tom. In series 30 and series 31 the character lives next door to Barry and Glenda, moving in as lodger with Toby Mulberry, (aka The Captain).Toby Mulberry Smith (Trevor BannisterTrevor BannisterTrevor Gordon Bannister was an English actor best known for playing the womanising junior salesman Mr. Lucas in the sitcom Are You Being Served? from 1972 to 1979, and for his role as Toby Mulberry Smith in the longest-running sitcom Last of the Summer Wine, from 2003 until it ended its run in 2010...
)
(2001–2006, 2008–2010) The Captain of the local golf club where Barry is often trying to fit in as a member; but, despite his best efforts to impress him, Barry always manages to annoy or offend the Major, either by becoming involved with some escapade with the main trio, or by some other social faux pasFaux pas
A faux pas is a violation of accepted social norms . Faux pas vary widely from culture to culture, and what is considered good manners in one culture can be considered a faux pas in another...
. Trevor Bannister is best known for playing Mr Lucas in another comedy favourite, Are You Being Served?
Are You Being Served?
Are You Being Served? is a British sitcom broadcast from 1972 to 1985. It was set in the ladies' and gentlemen's clothing departments of Grace Brothers, a large, fictional London department store. It was written mainly by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, with contributions by Michael Knowles and John...
, with Frank Thornton
Frank Thornton
Frank Thornton is an English actor who is best known for playing Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? and its sequel Grace & Favour and as Truly in Last of the Summer Wine.-Early life:...
from 1972 to 1979, and also starred with Brian Wilde
Brian Wilde
Brian George Wilde was an English actor, best known for his roles in television comedy, including Mr Barrowclough in Porridge and "Foggy" Dewhurst in Last of the Summer Wine...
in the short-lived Wyatt's Watchdogs
Wyatt's Watchdogs
Wyatt's Watchdogs was a 30 minute BBC1 situation comedy that starred Brian Wilde and Trevor Bannister. Created and written by Miles Tredinnick, the six episode series was transmitted in the autumn of 1988...
in 1988. He had previously played a tailor in the 1992 episode 'Who's Got Rhythm?'. The Captain returned for the 2008 New Years Special I Was A Hitman For Primrose Dairies, where he received a name, Toby, for the first time. In series 30 he moves in next door to Barry and Glenda and shortly after gains Morton Beemish (aka Herman Teesdale), the repo man, as lodger.
Billy Ingleton (Sir Norman WisdomNorman WisdomSir Norman Joseph Wisdom, OBE was an English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character Norman Pitkin...
)
(1995, 1996, 2001, 2002 and 2004) Like a number of other characters, Norman Wisdom was originally intended to make one guest appearance in the show, and ended up as a recurring character. He originally played the hapless Billy Ingleton in the 1995 New Year special 'The Man Who Nearly Knew Pavarotti'. He proved so popular that like Aunty Wainwright before him, he was asked to appear in the following year's special ('Extra! Extra!'). From then on, much-loved comedian Norman Wisdom occasionally pops up, sometimes for the storyline of an episode, at other times in smaller appearances. He is not always credited for smaller appearances.Policemen
Local policemen often witness the bizarre goings on, usually related to the main trio, and watch in bemusement. They are generally seen parked up around the moors and trying not to get involved with anything, instead eating (they have even been seen to have a roadside barbecueBarbecue
Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
on occasion) or drinking tea.
PC Cooper (aka 1st Policeman) (Ken KitsonKen KitsonKenneth "Ken" Kitson is a British actor who has been active on British television since the early 1970s....
)
(1983, 1988–2010) Kitson first appeared in the 1983 Christmas special 'Getting Sam Home' and made 2 further guest appearances before becoming a semi-regular character from series 12 onwards. In series 29 he was finally given the name PC Cooper. Cooper tends to be the bigger-headed of the two, but he has many ingenious ways of dealing with petty crimes with minimal disruption to his relaxation.
PC Walsh (aka 2nd Policeman) (Louis EmerickLouis EmerickLouis Emerick, born 10 June 1960, Liverpool, England, UK, is a British TV actor, best known for his portrayal of Mick Johnson in the soap opera Brookside....
)
(1988, 1989, 2004–2010) Emerick first appeared alongside Kitson in 'Downhill Racer'. He made one more appearance in the next series, in the episode 'Three Men and a Mangle', and later reappeared in 2004 to partner Kitson after Tony Capstick's death. In series 29 he was finally given the name PC Walsh. Walsh is more level-headed than Cooper and enjoys "taking the mickey", but he tends to be a little more naïve.
2nd Policeman (Tony CapstickTony CapstickJoseph Anthony 'Tony' Capstick was an English comedian, actor, musician and broadcaster.-Life and career:...
)
(1987, 1990–2004) Capstick made his first appearance in the 1987 special 'Big Day at Dream Acres', before becoming a semi-regular alongside Kitson from series 12 in 1990, up to his death in 2003. His last appearance was the episode 'Yours Truly - If You're Not Careful'. Capstick's character was spacey and less intelligent even than the often-oblivious Cooper.