Hywel Bennett, star of TV’s Shelley, dies at 73
ACTOR Hywel Bennett, best known for his role in the sitcom Shelley, has died aged 73.
Born in Carmarthenshire, he rose to fame in the 1960s playing Rynian in Doctor Who before taking roles in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Virgin Soldiers, Pennies from Heaven and The Sweeney.
However it was as James Shelley, the sarcastic intellectual layabout, that he will be most fondly remembered.
The hit ITV sitcom ran for five years from 1979 before making a four-year comeback in 1988 with The Return of Shelley.
The show lasted for ten series and over 70 episodes and attracted 18 million viewers at its peak. More recently, Bennett played gang- land boss Jack Dalton in EastEnders and Kevin in Last of the Summer Wine. After a long career in theatre and film, his last known role was as Reggie Conway in The Last Detective in 2007. In 1970, he married Ready, Steady Go! presenter Cathy McGowan – now partner of singer Michael Ball – and the pair had a daughter before separating in 1988.
He later married Sandra Layne Fulford. He was also the brother of fellow actor, Alun Lewis, who is best known for playing Vic Windsor in Emmerdale.
It is believed he died on July 25, leaving behind daughter, Emma.