- Derek Benfield
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Derek Benfield (11 March 1926 – 10 March 2009) was a British playwright and actor.
He was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, and educated at Bingley Grammar School. He was the author of the stage farce Running Riot and the second actor who played Patricia Routledge's character's husband in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996 - 1998). He also appeared with Colin Baker as John Hallam in the Doctor Who audio play Catch-1782 produced by Big Finish Productions.
Arguably Benfield's best known character portrayal was as transport company foreman Bill Riley in the UK television series The Brothers in the early 1970s. Prior to this, he starred as Frank Skinner in the 1970 cult sci-fi series broadcast on UK ITV, Timeslip. Some of his other television roles included Walter Greenhalgh from Coronation Street (1961-1969), Albert the Clerk from Rumpole of the Bailey (1978-1980), Breakaway (1980) and First of the Summer Wine (1988).
His plays included the farces Post Horn Gallop and Wild Goose Chase, both following the fictional exploits of the eccentric Lord and Lady Elrood and visitors to their castle.
[1] Death announcement
Television roles
Year Title Role 1996 to 1998 Hetty Wainthropp Investigates Robert Wainthropp 1988 to 1989 First of the Summer Wine Mr Scrimshaw 1980 Minder Brown 1972 to 1976 The Brothers Bill Riley 1970 Timeslip Frank Skinner External links
Categories:- 1926 births
- 2009 deaths
- English television actors
- English dramatists and playwrights
- People from Bradford
- People educated at Bingley Grammar School
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