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The veteran British actress Brigit Forsyth has died aged 83, her agent has shared.

Mark Pemberton reported that Forsyth, best known for her roles in a string of British TV comedies, died in her sleep, with her family by her side.

The actress was best known for her role in the 1970s hit comedy Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, where she played disapproving Thelma, wife of Bob, played by Rodney Bewes.

Other credits included TV dramas Playing the Field and Boon. She also appeared in 1980s sitcoms Tom, Dick and Harriet, and Sharon and Elsie, later appearing as a doctor in short-lived ITV soap opera The Practice.

From 2013 to 2019, she was in the BBC reboot of Open All Hours, playing Madge in Still Open All Hours.

Her agent said in a statement that she “had a varied and notable career in stage, screen and radio”, including roles in theatres “from...

Alex Westthorp Jan 23, 2017

We revisit Dark Season and Century Falls, two children's dramas that established Russell T. Davies' early screenwriting career...

Russell T. Davies, a man synonymous with the successful revival of Doctor Who, was initially a graphic artist for Why Don't You? but he did several jobs on the show, eventually writing, directing and producing the programme. He showed his versatility when he presented an edition of Play School in its final year. Saturday morning summer filler On The Waterfront made its reputation in part due to Davies' own unique take on the classic serial The Flashing Blade. Next came Breakfast Serials, which Davies both wrote and produced. When Tony Robinson decided to take a break from making Maid Marian And Her Merry Men, an afternoon drama slot opened up and Rtd's first major breakthrough in Children's television drama began with the 1991 science fiction thriller Dark Season.

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Arkwright’s is still open for funny business. The Still Open All Hours TV show comedy has been renewed for a third series (season) on BBC One. The British broadcaster has also commissioned a Still Open All Hours Christmas special.The Still Open All Hours TV series cast includes: Sir David Jason, Tim Healy, James Baxter, Stephanie Cole, and Sally Lindsay. Series regulars also include Maggie Ollerenshaw, Johnny Vegas, Kulvinder Ghir, Brigit Forsyth, Nina Wadia, and Geoffrey Whitehead. Lynda Baron is unable to return due to a scheduling conflict. Get the details from this BBC press release.Read More…...

Tube Talk Gold is all about nostalgia, but rarely are the shows we cover in this feature actually *about* nostalgia - that feeling of looking at the past through rose-tinted specs. This week's entry is an exception - the only thing to look forward to was the past in BBC One's classic '70s sitcom Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? - Originally broadcast from January 9, 1973 – December 24 1974

© Rex Features / Moviestore Collection

Acclaimed writing duo Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais are responsible for a number of shows that could easily be granted Tube Talk Gold status - Porridge, Lovejoy and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet are among their most fondly-remembered works - but their first major UK TV offering was the warm and witty working-class sitcom The Likely Lads.

The sitcom, which ran for three series between December 1964 and July 1966, followed two young men from Newcastle upon Tyne - smart-mouthed,...