Entertainment
Common As Muck, working alongside Edward Woodward in the sitcom about a group of lovable binmen.
In the 2008 crime thriller Ashes to Ashes, he starred alongside Keeley Hawes and Philip Glenister as Frank Hardwick, an ageing comic who had apparently robbed the PoliceWidows Fund.
However, he was probably better known for playing Archie Shuttleworth in Corrie from 2002 until 2010.
Roy’s TV credits also include the murder mystery Broadchurch, Benidorm and Casualty. He popped up in episodes of Call the Midwife, Midsomer Murders, Holby City and Law and Order: UK. He appeared on stage in many pantomime and variety performances. In 2015, aged 79, he played his first panto dame in Dick Whittington and His Cat. In between, he played such diverse roles as Bottom in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Fagin in Oliver! and Archdeacon Daubeny in Oscar Wilde’s A Woman of No Importance. Roy married his second wife, Debbie Flitcroft, in 1988 after they met while working in pantomime together.
HBRAVO: Left, with fellow comedian Ronnie Corbett in 2009; and on The News Huddlines in 1982
‘Music hall songs have always appealed...I was brought up by a gran who used to sing to me’
E REVEALED last year that he had lost eight stone after his doctor suggested he have a gastric band fitted. “I thought ‘I’m not ready to snuff it yet’ so I had it done and it worked a treat,” he said.
“I feel like a million dollars. I can still eat things I like – especially seafood – but I don’t have much of an appetite now because my stomach is smaller.”
Awarded an OBE for services to entertainment in the 2004 New Year Honours List, Roy was an accomplished writer who cowrote and played the part of Bud Flanagan in the musical Underneath the Arches.
While president of the British Music Hall Society, he wrote several books on music hall, re-recorded and restored old music hall records, and appeared in a revival show called The Good Old Days.
Unsurprisingly, he chose the genre as his specialist subject when he appeared on Celebrity Mastermind in 2014.
The University of East Anglia awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2007 in recognition of his vast knowledge of Edwardian songs and his constant desire to push his talents to the limit.
STARS from the world of entertainment paid tribute to Roy Hudd yesterday.
Comic Rory Bremner said: “The lovely Roy Hudd embodied a whole strand of the DNA of British comedy, from music hall and variety to pantomime and stand-up.
“A living museum, full of joy, humour and enthusiasm. A great life and a great loss.”
Comedian Sandi Toksvig tweeted: “Roy Hudd was a comic genius but more than that, he was one of the nicest people in show business.
“At least the heavens will be rocking with laughter.”
Danny Baker said in a tweet: “Bravo, Roy Hudd. I hope you can hear the applause thundering in your ears. What a turn. What an archive. What company.”
Sherlock actor and writer Mark Gatiss tweeted: “Farewell to the wonderful Roy Hudd.
“A great comic and actor. One of those joyous people who feel like they’ve been with us forever.”
Comedy writer Simon Blackwell, who is best known for his work on The Thick of It, In The Loop and Veep, said: “Very sad indeed to hear that Roy Hudd has died.
“A really lovely bloke, a great comedian, excellent straight actor. And a comedy historian too.
“I got my start in comedy writing via his Radio 2 show The News Huddlines.
“He was a total joy to write for. All good wishes to his family.”
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford issued a statement saying: “We are all saddened to hear of the passing of Roy Hudd.
“Roy appeared on our stage several times, with his most recent role in A Woman of No Importance last October/November.
“Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.”