RADIO, AUDIOBOOK, THEATRE & TV ACTOR. CITIZEN SMITH, SUMMER WINE 😋 Represented by BWH and by LIP SERVICE. Best not to Messenger me. I rarely go there.😊
What should have been a sad day, saying Goodbye to the magnificent David Warner was one of sheer joy as his beloved and dearest spoke with warmth and wit about his life. The most apt word about this wonderful Actor was ‘kind’. Extravagantly loved. And deeply kind. RiP, DW.
Big up to the Family of the late great Dudley Sutton. 600 people at his funeral and wake, a cortège of Bikers, a Save NHS demo jamming Chelsea, a coffin serenaded in the Chelsea Arts Club,rich laughter and tears of gratitude for a life not just redeemed but passionately lived.
I am shocked and saddened. Tom Owen was a princely colleague. We worked joyously and hilariously together on Last of the Summer Wine for a number of seasons. I always hoped for a working reunion one day. Condolences to his beloved, those dearest to him and his many fans.
Delightful amount of love coming in for CITIZEN SMITH today. Thank you all. It is so lovely that we are still a part of your lives. Incidentally we did float the idea of getting together again as SENIOR CITIZEN SMITH 🤣but I guess the BBC still don’t know what a gem it had😎
Another sad farewell to a treasured colleague.JOSEPHINE TEWSON was such a great performer, a joy to work alongside for many years in Last of the Summer Wine. I saw her as Nurse in Romeo and Juliet many years ago. She brought that same radiance to everything she did. Darling Jo.
Flicking through the channels I trip over an old Last of the Summer Wine episode. There’s my old friend and colleague John Challis making a guest appearance. Such a nice fellow, splendid Actor, terribly missed. Odd seeing it now with so few of us left.
Anna Karen was a good colleague to work with. She was an excellent Actor, probably a bit underrated by some having been identified with a single character in a hit show. I am, as is everyone saddened by her passing as well as horrified at the manner of it. RiP Anna.
Our beloved colleague of many years, Jean Fergusson has died. We have lost a generous story teller who reduced audiences to good old fashioned, uncontrollable, honest laughter. Behind the blonde wig and glitzy make up she was very beautiful, skilled and of great ability.
Such sad news that Christopher Beeny has died. All our thoughts are with his family and those close and dear to him. He was not only terrific company, very funny in Comedy and with an enviable career, he was central to so many huge tv series. RIP Chris. Much loved. Much missed.
RiP Duke of Edinburgh. You don’t have to be a staunch royalist to note that a figure who has been evident the whole of one’s life will be missed. Mum, proudly Irish loved him and the Queen. It doesn’t have to make for logic. But WW11 bonded people across so many divides.
My colleague and someone I was immensely proud to know has died soon after her 80th Birthday and at the end of Yom Kippur. Lovely, funny Juliette Kaplan whose timing was always immaculate right to the very end. RiP. Condolences to her family, always very close and dear to her.
Citizen Smith is trending on Twitter again it seems. Nothing to do with me although I do rather enjoy the BBC (always snotty about our little series) hearing that they missed out on
“Senior Citizen Smith -
The Revolting Pensioner!”
🤣
Robert Fyfe was a fine Actor. Full of fun. Always prepared for work, constantly amused by the slight air of dottiness that takes over on a long filming schedule.He was a delightful man in all weathers. Deepest condolences to Dominic, Tim and Nic and those closest and dearest.
Crumbs! I am rather humbled by this fantastic response to my Birthday. Thank you ALL so very much. You’ve taken so much time to make it special for me and I am having a cracking good day. Thank you.🎈💙❤️⛄️
All clear after my scan. Nothing to see here folks. Or in medical terms: “This ol’ bastard is gonna live for ‘kin ever ffs.”
🤣
God bless the NHS! God bless The Chelsea & Westminster Hospital!
Fans of Cheryl Hall from Citizen Smith will be relieved to know she is safe. She was evacuated from her village in Greece. The fires came within 100 yards, leaping roads and destroying acres of olive orchards. Rumour abounds and some people still deny climate change.
Just looked at the Bafta obituary section. No mention of a star who had literally hundreds and hundreds of mourners blocking Chelsea with a New Orleans Jazz band and Motorbike entourage; who made influential films and TV from the 50’s onwards. No mention of Dudley Sutton.
Hard to believe that the lovely Pamela Salem has left us. An extraordinarily beautiful woman with zero vanity and a rabid sense of fun. And she was a splendid Actress. Married to the late Michael O’ Hagan, she has died at her home in Florida. Will be much missed. RIP Pam. 🎶
To all those kind and resourceful tweeters who sent happy Birthday messages to me I thank you from Bottom-of-my-Heart, a small village in rural England where people are not hostile and kindness, inclusivity and humour are normal behaviours. 🥲
My friend Pat Coleman, drummer with Mercury, one of the longest performing tribute bands in the world tells me that Last of the Summer Wine viewing figures are rocketing. This is strangely satisfying to me as one of the surviving cast members of Roy Clarke’s 38 year epic Comedy .
Our Last of the Summer Wine friend and colleague the vivacious Juliette Kaplan is a bit poorly at the moment. Any kind thoughts for a swift recovery will be most stimulating I’m sure.
Just to be clear anyone using abusive language towards me, telling me to belt up or name calling may expect to be blocked. We don’t have to put up with it. Go and practise your grubby illiterate insults elsewhere.
Having worked alongside John Savident on tv and stage I am deeply, deeply saddened at his passing. His instincts were true, his sociability enriching, his ebullience contagious. All love to his family and those dearest to him.
RIP John. A great original.
28 Years ago today Mum died in her little flat in Chelsea. For anyone grieving beloved people just remember you’re not alone. You think you won’t survive the pain but you do and you get better at being a human being. That’s their legacy.
My lovely colleague of several years, June Whitfield has died. A delightful Actress, full of humour and serious, uncluttered talent. Deepest condolences to her family and close chums. What a life she had. What an all encompassing career. So proud to have known her, even a little.
Thank you my fellow Tweeters for reminding us that Citizen Smith is 46 years old today! 🎈Your kind and chirpy memories of John Sullivan’s first ever tv series have cheered me.
Think! Had Wolfie and the TPF stood for Parliament would we be in the mess we are in today? Anyone? 🤣
To those kind people who sent birthday wishes - Thank you!
To those who wrote ‘We will always remember him as …’ and name a character or tv show I was in - Thank YOU, too! But (just in case) I’m still here! And still working! Not quite In Memoriam!😋
@alisonphipps
Anyone notice the A&E figures going through the roof? As someone on LBC pointed out we’re all talking about these people who dominate the front pages while our NHS is being destroyed.
I’ve just come from Jean Fergusson’s funeral. It’s so terrible that all that fabulous energy and sheer scallywag theatrical know-how and joy has gone from us. Thank you Anita Graham for delightful memories of your friend. She was all you said and we are blessed to have known her.
How lovely that so many people have celebrated the memory of Hilda Braid. I don’t know who started the thread but I know Hilda would have been rather delighted that she was so loved. Thank you. A dear lady.
Whilst filming Last of the Summer Wine a local chap in Holmfirth said to me, completely out of the blue “We don’t bother wi foorplay round here. We just say Brace thissen Lass.”
And then he wandered off.
Terribly sad to hear about our friend John Sessions, a man of tremendous charm, an ebullient Actor. Inventiveness was breath and life to him. We did a play reading only a matter of weeks ago. A dear and lovely fellow. He will be sorely missed by us all.
Monumentally saddened to hear of Michael Gambon’s death. A delightful and unusual man. We worked on a TV play when we were young men and I have admired him ever since.He wore his immense talent like a loose gown and was beloved by audiences and colleagues alike. What a life!
Violet Carson had the most brilliant Acting technique. I am in awe of her. The cast and writers were brilliant. I don’t watch it now. I’m told it’s good but when it began it was utterly engrossing. Watch this.
Coronation Street - 16th October 1961. A typically entertaining script from Jack Rosenthal sees the regulars head out on a chara for a day-trip to Blackpool. Minnie and Ena (although she claims otherwise) are drawn to the ominous utterings of the fortune teller ....
I’d like to wish all my Twitter friends much love, a very Happy Christmas and Hanukkah, and a peaceful and sane 2020!
Thank you for laughing along with me at the absurdities and grieving the losses. I’m blessed to have a diverse following with whom to share my pottiness.🌲🎈🐫💨
Breaking news! Last of the Summer Wine is being repeated on BBC 4!!! Whole episode uninterrupted by commercials! WHEN will people go out the kitchenette to make tea? That’s what I want to know!! Typical Auntie! Thoughtless! Why oh why oh why...🤣
Thank you so much all you Thomas and Friends followers for your good natured information! I enjoyed my time being the voice of The Earl.
He was great fun to play. I wonder if ever he will come back and have adventures with his trains again? I’d like to think so. One day.
Just to say thank you to all the people who called to wish me well when I had covid. It’s over now. Nothing bad happened. I’m a little low in stamina but my morning stretches and walks should put right all of that. God bless you.
Bernard Hill. Such a fine Actor. RiP and deepest condolences to his family and those dear to him. A sad day in our business and a loss to all who relish excellent performances
I was pleased to see Barry Cryer at the Huddersfield Hotel where we, the Last Of The Summer Wine cast stayed when filming. So it began. I left around 11.30pm as I had an early call. Judging by the state Barry left them in I don’t think they slept.The next days filming? Carnage.
Geoffrey Palmer was the most inclusive Actor imaginable. In any work situation, even the simplest voice-over or sit com he was effortlessly genial and welcoming. Condolences to his family and those closest. We’ve lost a great, great Actor and a thoroughly lovely human being.
I just want to Thank you all so much for your very generous Welcome! While away I have written a play, begun a memoir, built a tiny studio, performed some audio books, didn’t drink and stayed creative. Twitter is a heap of fun but it sure eats up a chunk of the day!
I am so thrilled that so many people are forgiving enough to follow me! I mean I know a few people get cheesed off when I get lippy about political issues but if I didn’t have that outlet my brain would turn to jam! God (whoever she is) bless you all!
Twitter,you have broken me. Thank you all so much for the hundreds of great Birthday wishes. You have been monumentally generous and funny and I cannot Thank you enough. (btw …Did you know I was born as King George V died?Now I’m no reincarnationist - but do the math, People!🤣
After a rough couple of weeks schlepping back and forth for the beeb, the loss of a couple of friends and a brave note from my lovely old friend in a care home I am resting up in delightful surroundings. I have resilience apparently! Who knew?!
🤣🧢💙🎈
1979 my friend Angharad Rees took me to London Weekend TV to spend a celebrity evening with the Great Muhammad Ali. Unforgettable. Can you imagine how much courage it took to ask if he’d sign my ticket? Lots. But he was gracious, generous and so darned funny.
Thank you to everyone for your kind comments of news of my covid. Ranging from Get well soon you absolute Darling to Hope you sweat ’til u die you pathetic waste of floor space it’s been so encouraging to know you’ve got my back. When I’m better I’d like it returned please. 💙
Crumbs! I’ve just spotted that a whole lot of people are following me that weren’t following me before! You are very welcome! So I’ll attempt to keep these tweets entertaining for everyone. Or maybe you’d like to just chat amongst yourselves while I chunter on and on and on…😋
You don’t have to be a monarchist to be saddened. I am sad. She featured on the fringes of my life for all these years and it’s a chunk of my childhood gone. Mum always had her picture on the wall. So I am sad.
Condolences to those dearest to her.
What a good day. Drove to visit my son, Tom. Laughed our way through pizzas via Deliveroo and caught up on the news. One of the good guys. The journey home was fraught with road works and a serious police incident but it still was splendid to see my boy. That’s all.
Gosh! CITIZEN SMITH on Forces TV! Paul Burton says so and that’s good enough for me. It’s a 40 year old Comedy said to have had 20,000,000 viewers a week. If you’ve never heard of it, do give it a go. It was written by the great John Sullivan. And that’s good enough for me, too!
Leonard Fenton has died. A truly fine Actor with whom I was blessed to work at the Royal Court. He invited the cast to an evening of music at which he performed beautifully both leider and music hall songs. Condolences to his family and those closest and dearest to him. RiP Len
Well, I am overwhelmed at the response to my covid announcement! I am feeling so much better now I’m on meds for the attendant issues and will test again tomorrow or the day after. Thank you all so much.
I need to register my shock and sadness at the death of the great Tom Wilkinson. Love and deepest sympathy to Diana and their children. He was a lovely fellow and the very finest of Actors.
Thank you everyone for your kind remarks about SENIOR CITIZEN SMITH. As several people pointed out the estate of John Sullivan could never allow anyone to mess with his clearly defined Characters, and quite right too. Nice thought though. Some excellent ideas for a sequel btw!🤣
Great shame if the BBC really is slashing its’ already tiny budget for Radio Drama. Recording great radio plays and Comedies has been brilliant. I never earned a great deal but we did such great work and it was enormous fun. Don’t do it BBC.
It’s been so much fun. You have kept me buoyant and entertained. Cannot thank you all enough. Have wonderful times and let’s hope we can reconvene one day with better governance.
Love and Peace
@MikeGradysez
A SENSATIONALLY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL 😇CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU WHOM I FOLLOW AND THOSE WHO FOLLOW ME. THANK YOU ALL FOR SUSTAINING ME WITH YOUR HUMOUR 🤣AND FRESH THINKING. PEACE AND LOVE.
Learned lines for a tv show. Received sad news of the death of an old chum. Then news of yet another tragic death, the son of a valued friend. Visited a very unwell friend in the Marsden and we laughed a great deal together.While there had my car towed.Just got it from the pound.
Hello 2020! Do me a favour would you? Be kind and generous to all my friends and followers and followees on Twitter. 2019 was a little rough on us so give us some big hearted laughter won’t you ? Cheers 2020! Have fun everyone. Big hugs.
Thanks to my old friend Steven Crossley for organising a trip to see his beloved Pompey. And special thanks to the great Leyton Orient fans for welcoming us amongst them, especially the funny guy sitting behind us!
🤣 A guy on a zoom meeting called me an ex-actor! Why did no one tell me? I wouldn’t have bothered with Holby City and all those audio books and voice overs!🎃
My applause tonight was for the Kingsley House Nursing Home where last night my lovely cousin, Colum O’Grady died peacefully and naturally. This Nursing Home locked down way before everyone else and no virus has breached their walls. They are the very finest of people. RiP Col.
On my way to a BAFTA screening I heard the sad news about Robbie Coltrane. I worked only once with him and found him to be, of course, wonderfully funny. But also vulnerable at the time and easily hurt. A lovely fellow. Will be sorely missed.
Immensely proud of my Daughter, Rhiannon today. Finished the London Marathon in 5hrs 1min 48secs and when she saw us waving at Parliament Sq she was fresh as a daisy! What character. What pluck.
I’m being asked, and indeed wondering myself why my old chum Dudley Sutton, who died a few months ago was not included in the obituary section of the BAFTA TV AWARDS on Sunday. So I have written a polite enquiry to BAFTA asking about the process and will report back when I hear.
🤣Today I looked at a blank page and just waded in, started to write a personal history of what we laughingly (literally, so far😳) call my career. I figured if I’m telling people the story anyway I might as well put it in book form for the Grandchildren to read one day❤️
I’m writing essays to one day leave for my grandchildren as a memoir of who that funny ol’ farty guy was. It’s unimaginably satisfying. Makes me laugh, blush and rather astonished at how far I got to from where I began. There has been so much kindness shown to me.
28,279. That is the number of days since I was born. Doesn’t seem all that much somehow. In years it sounds just… old. But the reality is we have so few days alive. So very few. I’m going to make sure I love this one.