TV Comedian Eric Sykes

Recently I have been enjoying the re-runs of the BBC TV sitcom Sykes from the 1970s which have been airing on Satellite/Cable channel UKTV Gold.

The TV shows, written and starring comedy legend Eric Sykes, ably assisted by another greatly loved comedy actress Hattie Jacques (who regularly appeared on TV with the Lancastrian), ran from 1972 until 1979, clocking up seven full series and a Christmas special in their wake.

Much of the show was based on previous similar TV comedies for the comic, indeed many of the episodes were colour remakes of previous black and white shows made in the sixties.

 
The show revolved around the antics of unmarried twins Eric and Hattie (Hat) who lived together in the London suburb of East Acton. Eric's character is somewhat childish and often manages to get himself into varying degrees of trouble. Meanwhile Hattie is the calming influence, trying her utmost to keep Sykes on the straight and narrow.

Other well known actors to regularly grace the programme included the likes of Deryck Guyler, Richard Wattis and Joan Simms, most of which had been associated with the TV comedian for many years.


The show finally came to the end of its run in 1979, although the BBC were fully intending to continue on with it. The untimely death of co-star Hattie Jacques from heart failure in 1980 bringing a premature conclusion.

I must admit to never thinking a great deal of the programme when it was aired in the 70s, but with maybe a more mature outlook, it is abundantly clear what a genius Sykes was, with an immaculate comedic delivery and his writing of varied content.

With a performing career spanning in excess of 50 years, Sykes is remembered for becoming profoundly deaf as an adult. The spectacles that he wore contained no lenses, they were used as a bone conducting hearing aid and as he got older he was also registered as blind and suffered a stroke and heart problems.

Eric died in July 2012 at the age 89 after a short illness, surrounded by his family.

Whatever Happened to "Doctor in the House" Star Barry Evans?

Fresh faced actor Barry Evans was a regular on our TV screens in the 1970's. 

The star of "Doctor at Large" and "Mind Your Language" who became a British sitcom favourite, was born in 1943 in the Surrey town of Guildford. 

Abandoned as a baby, Evans was educated at orphanage boarding schools and later attended the infamous Italia Conti Academy before gaining a scholarship to study at the central School of Speech and Drama.

His first leading role was in the 1967 film "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" with Judy Geeson and three years later he gained the part of Michael Upton in the UK smash hit comedy "Doctor In The House" moving on to the sequel hit "Doctor at Large".

Doctor in the House - episode 1

 

In 1975 he starred in the hit big screen sex comedy "The Adventures of a Taxi Driver", but soon returned to ITV for the leading role in a new sitcom "Mind Your Language". 

Here he played the part of a teacher of English to foreign students. Again the show was a big TV success, gaining a worldwide audience.

Mind Your Language - episode 1

However, as the 80's came, Evans found it more and more difficult to find work. His so called youthful image worked against him and he found difficulty in finding parts to match his age.

By the late 1990's, as his acting work diminished, he was known to be working as a mini-cab driver in the English East Midlands. 

Sadly, in 1997 he was  found dead in his bungalow at Claybrooke Magna, Leicestershire aged only 53. 

He was found to have suffered a blow to the head and an autopsy showed he had high levels of alcohol in his system. Although an 18 year old man was initially arrested for the murder, he was subsequently released without charge.

The Coroner eventually gave an open verdict and to this day it is still unclear how Evans met his end.

 CLICK TO FIND OUT WHATEVER HAPPENED TO:
The "Are You Being Served" Cast
 On The Buses Cast

All Creatures Great and Small Cast

 Richard O'Sullivan

Watching Star: Emma Wray

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