It’s been an enjoyably hectic few weeks, during which, sadly, several beloved situation comedy favourites have died. Shirley Stelfox, who played extrovert sister Rose in the first series of ‘Keeping Up Appearances’, died on 7th. December at the age of 74. Latterly she was best known as Edna Birch in ‘Emmerdale’, but her sparkling comedy credentials include ‘Nearest and Dearest’, the Terry Jones film ‘Personal Service’, and ‘Carry On At Your Convenience’. Nicholas Smith, the ever-flustered, jug-eared store manager, Mr. Rumbold, in ‘Are You Being Served?’, died on 6th. December at 81. His other small screen credits ranged from Doctor Who: ‘The Dalek Invasion of Earth’ (1964) to Last of the Summer Wine: ‘A Short Introduction to Cooper’s Rules’ (2008); while it was a delight to hear his dulcet tones bring the Reverend Clement Hedges to life in the Wallace & Gromit feature ‘The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’. Robin Stewart, who played the dashing and cheeky Mike Abbott in ‘Bless This House’, died on 22nd. November at the age of 69. On film he starred in such favourites of mine as ‘The Haunted House of Horror’ and ‘Adventures of a Private Eye’, as well as playing the son of Peter Cushing in ‘The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires’ for Hammer. Farewell, and thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It’s been an enjoyably hectic few weeks, during which, sadly, several beloved situation comedy favourites have died. Shirley Stelfox, who played extrovert sister Rose in the first series of ‘Keeping Up Appearances’, died on 7th. December at the age of 74. Latterly she was best known as Edna Birch in ‘Emmerdale’, but her sparkling comedy … Continue reading 13th December 2015<\/span>