Greengrass had been written as a minor background character, but -- given a fair amount of latitude for interpreting his part -- Maynard was able to infuse the old rascal with outsize personality and humour which resulted into his becoming a popular mainstay. Bill Maynard, the actor best known as Claude Greengrass in Heartbeat, has died aged 89.The actor, whose real name was Walter Williams, starred in the TV police drama from 1992 to 2000 and in its . I couldnt walk but they said it didnt matter as my role was Greengrass pretending to be ill!. After moving to Leicestershire with his family, Maynard enrolled at the Kibworth Beauchamp grammar school. The series was a hit from the very beginning. He recalled how rumours about his vast wages and perks caused a rift with the Heartbeat cast: I was the only one who had his own chauffeur who would pick me up in Leicestershire, take me up to Yorkshire and stay there until I wanted to come home. Want all the jaw-dropping stories from the world of showbiz and up to the minute news from TV and soaps? "You made me laugh so much. He went on to become Britains highest-paid comedian, earning the equivalent of 100,000 a week in 1960. His character Claude was always a loveable rogue in the show - and always up to a scheme or two. Actor William Simons began acting as a child, appearing in films like No Place for Jennifer and West of Zanzibar. Easiest job Ive ever done, I loved it. Bill originally retired from acting in 2000 after a series of strokes, but made a comeback to public life as a radio presenter for BBC Radio Leicester in 2003. The novels in Nicholas Rheas Constable series served as the inspiration for this show. They wanted me to inject a bit of humour into things. Bill Maynard net worth: How much was the late Heartbeat actor worth? Therell never be another like you - talented, kind and gentle in equal measure. 2000 Bill played loveable rogue Claude Jeremiah Greengrass from 1992 to 2000 a man better known by his surname. The opportunities may be a little more limited in a hospital, but he's still able to get up to his old tricks.". In the episode "Bringing It All Back Home", Greengrass is investigated by the Inland Revenue, and it is revealed that he had sold a piece of his land to the Ministry of Defence for 25,000 which explains his financial security, although he hadn't paid any Income Tax for at least the previous 12 years! After playing Sgt. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. After the show came to an end he had a role in Casualty as Jacob Hinter in a 2014 episode. . It was nice to catch up with him after all these years.". In 2012, at the age of 68, he lost his battle with prostate cancer. On several social media platforms, he wrote: My father owns a theatre on the island of Guernsey, and he invited Bill Maynard to perform his stunning one-person play about Charles Dickens there. Bill played loveable rogue Claude Jeremiah Greengrass from 1992 to 2000 - a man better known by his surname. She mentioned in her post that it had been only a few weeks since they had worked together. Peter himself appeared in programmes like The Bill, Jeeves and Wooster and Tenko. 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Snooker player and commentator Willie Thorne, who hails from Leicestershire, tweeted the following: The passing of Bill Maynard has made this a very sad day. His latest acting project was playing Gary in The Bay this year. The actor has gone to have roles in Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Casualty. In 1990, Maynard married Tonia Bern-Campbell. His last project was a minor role in 2012s Run for Your Wife. Later he gambled away much of his fortune on horse races, went bankrupt thanks to a huge unpaid tax bill and was left so poor his wife and two children had to sleep on the floor beside the fire in their living room because the bailiffs had taken everything they owned including their beds. William starred as PC Alf Ventress through the entire series. He first appeared on our screens in 1955 in Great Scott, Its Maynard. Dogged by ill health he had four strokes, a lung problem and diabetes. bob and brian milwaukee retirement; kyle don't wanna fall in love ending; he kept touching me on . But his life wasnt always dedicated to acting. His other credits include Lovejoy, The Bill and The Royal. He has also tried his hand at directing with the short film To The Sea Again. What Happened To Claude Greengrass In Heartbeat? He could be 6ft 1in of pure trouble if he wasnt getting his way but nobody ever questioned his acting ability and supreme comic timing. His other popular acting roles included playing Simon Wicks in EastEnders from 1985 to 1990. In the 1970s and 1980s, he was most recognised for his roles as Twiggy in The Royle Family, Onslow in Keeping Up Appearances, and Eddie Yeats, the binman on Coronation Street. Nick made a cameo appearance in the BBC soap in 2012 after the death of his on-screen mother Pat Butcher. You can unsubscribe at any time. But I liked Nick, we got along well.. Brenda Bowman (daughter, introduced in The Royal). He first appeared on our screens in. Who Is Derek Dietrich Wife? I didnt call him average, I said he was adequate, which he was, but thats all he needed to be, said Bill. Derek died at the age of 82 in January 2020. Currently celebrating his 50th year on British television, Bill has been a comedian, a dramatic actor and a film actor. Who replaced the character of Claude Greengrass? The Crow Road star Joe played PC Joe Mason in Heartbeat from 2007 until 2010. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He died in June last year at the age of 78. Similarly, he appeared on the ITV show Heartbeat for eight years, playing the role of lovable villain Claude Jeremiah Greengrass. Your email address will not be published. We'll bring you the inside track from telly expert Ed Gleave and soap specialist Sasha Morris. Maynard was born in Heath End, Farnham, Surrey. A great actor and a lovely man. Then there was money from all the repeats. It was Claude Greengrass that was clearing out an old barn belonging to a friend when he stumbled across a red MG TA that he sold to Nick Rowan in a sorry looking state. Snooker player and commentator Willie Thorne, who hails from Leicestershire, posted the following on Twitter: The passing of Bill Maynard has made today a very sad day. ", Michael Starke as Ken HopkirkAndy Wear as Alun MorrisAiding him in his money-making schemes are the hospital's Head Porter Ken Hopkirk and Theatre Technician Alun Morris: "Ken and Alun are wise to the kind of person that Greengrass is. Who Is Analyst Carrie Cordero From CNN? Derek played Sgt Oscar Blaketon in Heartbeat for 18 years. He also made a cameo appearance in Run for Your Wife, which starred Danny Dyer and Sarah Harding. RIP.. Greengrass was the village wheeler dealer and a loveable rogue who seemed to permanently find himself in sticky situations. Since leaving Heartbeat, the 55-year-old actor has gone on to appear in a number of hit soap operas, including Hollyoaks and Casualty. During a fight with a suspect, Oscar Blaketon was seriously injured when he fell onto an agricultural implement which pierced his lung. His exit story saw him departing the village for Canada. Walter Frederick George Williams (8 October 1928 - 30 March 2018), better known by his stage name Bill Maynard, was an English comedian and actor. Another role he was known for was as Bernard Woolley in Yes Minister, a part he played for four years. His father, Walter, worked as a gardener, while his mother, Edith, worked as a laundry worker. Heartbeat actor Bill Maynard, Bill Maynard back on TV to prove hes still alive, Bill Maynard dead: Heartbeat actor passes away aged 89. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. He left Heartbeat after suffering a stroke; but after making a recovery, bounced back the help launch the related medical drama series The Royal, still playing Yorkshire's craftiest rogue! Bill Maynard dead: How did the the Heartbeat actor die aged 89? Who is Tricia Penrose married to? The actor remained in the popular show playing the scruffy, eccentric character. The Heartbeat actor Bill Maynard has died at the age of 89, his family has confirmed. The most recent appearance of Claude Jeremiah Greengrass came in the episode of Heatbeat titled Cold Turkey. Bill Maynard had to cut short his appearance at the performance because he was unwell. Trish was a private detective hired by Frank Foster to track Peter Barlow and Carla Connor and find out if there was anything between them. What happened to Claude Greengrass in Heartbeat? In 2012, at the age of 68, he lost his battle with prostate cancer. He played Coronation Street regular Peter Barlow in 1986, before being replaced by current actor Chris Gascoyne. Greengrass (Bill Maynard), the main character of this episode, has trouble getting paid for the gardening he did for Stringer. Tricia Penrose, who played Gina on the soap opera Heartbeat and competed against Bill on the game show Pointless, also paid tribute to Bill. I remember one night there was this funny-looking chap who was particularly brilliant and I wrote down lots of his gags. ". WHILE Bill Maynard is fondly remembered as the crafty old rogue Claude Greengrass in Heartbeat (1992-2010), his career as an actor and entertainer goes back over 75 years By Tony Padman 08:00, Sat . The actor spent more than 60 years in showbiz. The actor spent more than 60 years in showbiz. Mark has also tried his hand at directing with the short film To The Sea Again. Bill spent the mid-1960s working relentlessly in cabaret clubs across the country to pay back every penny of his tax bill. "I'd been out of work for eighteen months and had started to think that I'd never work again," he says. Something went wrong, please try again later. Mark had the role of PC Phil Bellamy from series one until series 17. Peter played Bernie Scripps in Heartbeat between 1995 and 2010. But Heartbeat isnt actor David Lonsdales only claim to fame. He tries to pull the wool over their eyes now and again, and there are a few fall outs, but they are more than able to get their own back on him. Maynard, whose real name was Walter Williams, chose his stage name as a reference to the confectionery company Maynards, Reddin said. The former Coronation Street actress - who was Candice on the cobbles - is now best known for playing Maxine Minnver in Hollyoaks, making her debut in 2012. He was best known for his on/off relationship with barmaid Gina, who he eventually married before Phil was killed off. Heartbeat ended 10 years ago so what have the stars of the show being doing since the popular drama came to an end?