A fall from his mobility scooter brought down the final curtain on the larger-than-life star, whose showbusiness career had so many extraordinary ups and downs he called his autobiography The Yo-Yo Man. Penrose and Bill worked together on the show. Liverpool actor Geoffrey played Vernon Scripps, who replaced Greengrass as the loveable rogue in the village. He was surrounded by family and friends. From the first to the tenth season, Bill played the role of the humorous Claude Greengrass. The Crow Road star Joe played PC Joe Mason in Heartbeat from 2007 until 2010. The jack-of-all-trades did everything from car repairs to funeral directing during his time in the show, and eventually was able to meet with his long lost daughter Ruth. Goofy PC Phil was known for his on-again-off-again romance with Gina - but his Heartbeat life wasnt without tragedy. Walter Frederick George Williams (8 October 1928 - 30 March 2018), better known by his stage name Bill Maynard, was an English comedian and actor. Heartbeat co-star Jason Durr, who played Mike Bradley in the iconic show, shared his condolences, posting on Twitter at the time: "So sad to hear the passing of William Simons. Tricia has two sons and as of 2020 was a presenter on Radio Wirral. He took on the Claude Greengrasses role, after Claude left for the West Indies. What Happened To Claude Greengrass In Heartbeat? Actor Bill Maynard I have never stopped being appreciative for the opportunity I was given.. In the show, he would always be getting into trouble by poaching game from other farms. His other credits include Lovejoy, The Bill and The Royal. Its been 11 years since Heartbeat last appeared on our TV screens following an incredible 18-year run. Greengrass was best known for driving a maroon 1956Morris truck that he would use for his day to day business, he later left this vehicle to David Stockwell. He and Gina lost their baby before they could marry, and after a confrontation with a man wielding a shotgun, was shot dead in series 17. "He's still the same old rogue that he ever was. The actor also played the title role in the ITV comedy Oh No, Its Selwyn Froggitt, and starred in the Carry On films Carry On at Your Convenience, Carry On Matron and Carry On Dick. Nick also had a successful career as a singer with track Every Loser Wins going to number one in 1986 - and he was the voice behind Heartbeat's theme song. In a similar vein, the actor starred in the Carry On movies Carry On at Your Convenience and Carry On Matron in addition to playing the title role in the ITV comedy Oh No, Its Selwyn Froggatt. The Heartbeat actor Bill Maynard has died at the age of 89, his family has confirmed. Heartbreakingly, Bill had to leave Heartbeat because of his failing. Since leaving Heartbeat, the 55-year-old actor has gone on to appear in a number of hit soap operas, including Hollyoaks and Casualty. Tragically, Bill passed away in 2019 at the age of 79. I started on 5,000 an episode and each series the money would go up, I think I finished on 25,000. Beetroot in the 1980s television comedy Worzel Gummidge, he starred in the recently released spin-offs of Heartbeat, The Royal and The Moorside. After the show came to an end he had a role in Casualty as Jacob Hinter in a 2014 episode. He left Heartbeat after suffering a stroke; but after making a recovery, bounced back the help launch the related medical drama series The Royal, still playing Yorkshire's craftiest rogue! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The hit show even took to the stage back in 2016, but didn't live up to its predecessor and drew negative reviews from critics. The character of Claude Greengrass was in no way influenced by the events of the Heartbeat show. With Nick Berry, Bill Maynard, Derek Fowlds, William Simons. She arrived in Aidensfield out of the blue and promptly proceeded to . After the series came to an end, Derek had roles in other TV shows like Casualty and Doctors. do koalas have poisonous claws. Peter played Bernie Scripps in Heartbeat between 1995 and 2010. He was a wonderful actor and a good friend, and he was also a snooker fanatic who lived nearby in Leicester. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. On the show, he was constantly getting in trouble for stealing animals from other farms, which was one of the reasons why he was there. William starred as PC Alf Ventress through the entire series. As for his character, not much has changed since he was seen leaving Heartbeat to jet off to the Caribbean to help his sister spend the money she had scooped on the West Indies Sweepstake. On several social media platforms, he wrote: My father owns a theatre on the island of Guernsey, and he invited Bill Maynard to perform his stunning one-person play about Charles Dickens there. Yes Minister and Heartbeat star Derek Fowlds dead at 82, Derek Fowlds (right) with William Simons (left) in Heartbeat, Bill Maynard as Claude Jeremiah Greengrass with Peter Benson as Bernie Scripps. Heartbeat star Bill Maynard - Claude Greengrass - dies at 89 This episode ended with a cliffhanger. As the citation explains: Famous for his role as Greengrass in Heartbeat and The Royal, Bill Maynard is a living legend and much loved by the nation's TV viewers. Actor Bill Maynard, who had a career spanning eight decades playing the role of Heartbeat, has passed away at the age of 89. Snooker player and commentator Willie Thorne, who hails from Leicestershire, tweeted the following: The passing of Bill Maynard has made this a very sad day. Details To Know About The Legal Analyst, Michigan Wolverines Coach Mel Pearsons Wife and Family, Coach Fired for Misconducts, Joe Lycett Sister Beth Lycett Make Clothes For His TV Appearances, Nany Gonzalez Before And After Veneers Transformation Is Astonishing, What Is Bling Empires Blake Abbie Family Net Worth 2023, Michael Chernus And Wife Emily Simoness Made Their Best Decisions In 2015. However, in 2003 he made a comeback when he landed a presenting gig on BBC . Ive been a bit of a bugger all my career, admitted comic actor Bill Maynard in his last major interview before his death on Friday, aged 89. They were worried about it and asked if Id play this character Greengrass. The actor experienced health problems and had to leave the series, but he is now back on The Royal. ", Michael Starke as Ken HopkirkAndy Wear as Alun MorrisAiding him in his money-making schemes are the hospital's Head Porter Ken Hopkirk and Theatre Technician Alun Morris: "Ken and Alun are wise to the kind of person that Greengrass is. March 30, 2018Bill Maynard / Date of death, 89 years (19282018)Bill Maynard / Age at death, Bill Maynard Bill played the cheeky Claude Greengrass from seasons one to ten. Maynard is believed to have died in a Leicestershire hospital shortly after breaking his hip after falling from his mobility scooter, according to his daughter-in-law. Following his passing, he has received tributes from a variety of people, including athletes, fans, and other performers. A regular on Emmerdale as Dans brother Daz Spencer until his exit in 2019, Mark was arrested on suspicion of assault in 2018. The series was a hit from the very beginning. Bless you and rest well sir.". Early episodes of the series consistently drew an audience of more than 10 million viewers, with the series eventually reaching its highest-ever audience of 13.82 million in 2001 and 12.8 million in 2003. He is currently a series regular on Casualty, appearing as David Hide. ITV Studios in the United Kingdom was responsible for producing the historical drama series Heartbeat from 1992 till 2010. He would often call Nick's replacement, PC Mike Bradley, by his full name, Michael, whenever they sometimes met. At the age of 11, Bill was already earning more money than his father through his stand-up comedy performances in clubs. I can see myself pegging it just after someone has shouted action.". Along with his legendary Heartbeat stint, William also appeared in programmes like Casualty, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. The Heartbeat actor Bill Maynard has died at the age of 89, his family has confirmed. The actor had health problems and had to leave the series, but now hes back on The Royal. After playing Sgt. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The opportunities may be a little more limited in a hospital, but he's still able to get up to his old tricks.". About 10 years ago in "Heartbeat" the estate manager drove a 1954 Riley RME one & a half litre . His other credits included A Touch of Frost, The Bill and Coronation Street, in which he played the recurring role of Mr Murdoch. He was best known for his on/off relationship with Gina, who he eventually married before Phil was killed off. Rowan's storylines saw him lose his wife to leaukaemia and followed him leaving for Canada. Peter died in September 2018 at the age of 75. It was a much loved period television show watched by millions - and more than 12 years after it went off the air Heartbeat is still remembered fondly by many. Bill originally retired from acting in 2000 after a series of strokes, but made a comeback to public life as a radio presenter for BBC Radio Leicester in 2003. Her last TV appearance as an actress was in 2012s Crime Stories as Shirley Carroll, but shes since starred on shows including Celebrity Big Brother in 2013, where she reached the final, and Pointless Celebrities in 2018. The Cheshire-born actress went on to have a recurring role as Trish Davidson in Coronation Street in 2012. His father Walter worked as a gardener, his mother Edith as a laundress. Nick made a cameo appearance in 2012 after the death of his mother Pat Butcher. "He certainly isn't a model patient. He has remained on TV since Heartbeat finished and can now be seen playing nurse David Hide in Casualty. He and his co-star girlfriend Laura Norton, who played Kerry Wyatt in Emmerdale, welcomed a baby boy to their family in February 2021. The actor spent more than 60 years in showbiz. He has a sort of love / hate relationship with the staff, especially Sister Brigid. He married Rachel Robertson in 1994 and put his acting career on hold to become a stay at home dad to their sons Louis and Finley. Tricia Penrose, who portrayed Gina on the soap opera Heartbeat and competed against Bill on the game show Pointless, also paid tribute to Bill. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. His rle as Claude Jeremiah Greengrass enabled him to win the title of Yorkshire Arts and Entertainment Personality of the Year in the 2003 Yorkshire Awards. Bill died in hospital in Leicestershire in 2018 shortly after breaking his hip in a fall off his mobility scooter, his daughter-in-law said. In the 1970s and 1980s, he was best recognised for his roles as Twiggy in The Royle Family, Onslow in Keeping Up Appearances, and Eddie Yeats, the binman on Coronation Street. Nicholas Rheas Constable series novels served as inspiration for this show. They named him Jesse. Beetroot in the 1980s television comedy Worzel Gummidge, he went on to appear in the spinoffs of Heartbeat, The Royal and The Moorside, which were both released more recently. As the citation explains: In a similar vein, the actor starred in the Carry On movies Carry On at Your Convenience and Carry On Matron in addition to playing the main part in the ITV comedy Oh No, Its Selwyn Froggatt. The series was a hit from the start. On various social media platforms, he wrote: My father owns a theatre on the island of Guernsey, and he invited Bill Maynard to perform his stunning one-person show about Charles Dickens there. The police drama series first aired on ITV back on April 10, 1992, with its final episode taking place on September 12, 2010 and consistently drew in over 10million viewers. After a long and happy life, Alfred finally died of heart failure in the episode "The End of the Road" in 2005. His involvement in Heartbeat ended in 2000, but he played Greengrass again in The Royal in 2003. She has also appeared in Brookside, The Royal, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Jacqueline Reddin, who is also an actor, said: He was larger than life and he just loved showbiz. Tricia made her TV debut in Brookside as WPC Emma Reid, and she went on to appear in Emmerdale and Coronation Street in the early 90s. I started on 5,000 an episode and each series the money would go up, I think I finished on 25,000. Bill is thrilled that the viewing public are happy to see him back on their screens. Heartbeat fans mourn death of lead actor | The Northern Echo The producers offered to have a departing episode written for him, but he declined and so the character's exit (to join his sister on a cruise in the Caribbean) was explained without his appearing. Heartbeat: Greengrass' house in Goathland, United Kingdom Appearing in 234 episodes of the ITV police drama, Bernie Scripps was known for being drawn into madcap schemes by Claude and his half-brother Vernon. Claude also briefly owned a bright pink Chrysler Imperial which he bought after making the money off the land he sold to the MOD, this car was later stolen and torched.