Whatever Happened to Nicholas Bond-Owen?

Cast your mind back to the late 1970s and you may remember a spin-off TV sitcom, emanating from characters from the hit ITV show "Man About The House"

Again written by Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke, "George and Mildred" starred Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy as the Ropers, an ill-matched married couple who upped sticks and moved to the posher London suburb of Hampton Wick. 

Their arrival horrified the next door neighbour Jeffrey Fourmile (played by Norman Eshley), convincing him that their presence would not only lower the tone of the neighbourhood, but also drop the value of local property.

Fourmile's wife Ann was played by Sheila Fearn, best remembered for being Terry Collier's sister in "Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads" and Ronnie Corbett's girlfriend in the BBC's "Sorry"

The main cast list was made up with the Fourmile's young son Tristram, who was played by Nicholas Bond-Owen and when I was recently researching another article, I came across this piece written by Simon Stabler from the Peterborough Community website that sheds some light as to what became of Nick. 

Click HERE to be taken to the article.

At the height of its popularity, "George and Mildred" came to an abrupt end in 1980 when Yootha Joyce suddenly died aged only 53. Plans were afoot for a 6th series to be made and  the successful movie spin-off of the show was dedicated in her memory (released after her passing). 

It later came to light that she had an alcohol dependency problem, consuming upwards of a half bottle of brandy every day.

An idea for Brian Murphy to star in a show as George, coping as a widower never materialised, but soon after her death he did appear in another Mortimer and Cooke written show, along with Roy Kinnear (who also made regular appearances in "George and Mildred"), entitled "The Incredible Mr Tanner"

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Whatever Happened to Richard O'Sullivan?

At one stage Richard O'Sullivan was one of the most popular comedy actors on British TV. 

Known to millions in the UK, Canada, Australia and many other parts of the world, O'Sullivan was the "Man About the House", who went on to star in such further favourite TV series as "Robin's Nest" and "Me and My Girl".

But whatever became of the child star who became a 70's TV heartthrob, moving on to be Britain's premier TV sitcom star?

Cast as bachelor cookery student Robin Tripp, who shared a flat with 2 gorgeous girls, "Man About the House" reached an audience of 16 million viewers at its peak, with O'Sullivan starring in the title role alongside Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett. 

As was the custom at the time, the successful sitcom made its way onto the silver screen with a Man About the House movie version starring the same actors as in the TV version.

A spin-off series about a small Bistro soon followed (Robin's Nest) co-starring Tessa Wyatt (now an EastEnders cast member) and Tony Britton (father of Fern) and by this time O'Sullivan had become a household name.

Theme and titles from Me and My Girl 

Known at the time as something of a ladies man, O'Sullivan had relationships, firstly with Thomsett and followed by Wyatt, breaking up her marriage to DJ Tony Blackburn in the process. Their relationship resulted in the pair having a son Jamie. However they rowed constantly and split up never actually getting married.

With further success in the children series "Dick Turpin" and starring with Tim Brooke Taylor in "Me and My Girl", his popularity continued into the 1980's.

Into the 90's and his profile had decreased somewhat, but he was never short of work. He admitted in 1994 to being "a hard drinking depressive" and he largely retired from public life 2 years later.

Late in 2003, O'Sullivan suffered a stroke and it is believed that he has not been in the best of health since. 

Now  aged 70, he lives in a retirement home for actors and performers in the Twickenham area and is occasionally seen out walking in the locality.

The images show the years have taken their toll on the TV sitcom actor, but his antics on the small screen brought enjoyment to millions, as do the repeats that still appear from time-to-time.

Did you used to enjoy watching Richard in his numerous TV roles? Which was your favourite?

Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting him?

Please feel free to comment.....

CLICK BELOW TO FIND OUT WHATEVER HAPPENED TO:

The On The Buses Cast

The All Creatures Great and Small Cast

 Watching Star: Emma Wray

Doctor in the House Star: Barry Evans

The "Are You Being Served" Cast?
Steptoe and Son (the Rag-and-Bone Man)

 Did you used to watch the "Man About the House" spin-off sitcom "George and Mildred?" Do you remember the small boy who played their next door neighbours son Tristram?
Find out more about him at:
Whatever Happened to Nicholas Bond-Owen 

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