Star with roles from Bard to spy – but for ever loved as Shelley
man who receives the world’s first penis transplant; The Virgin ACTOR Hywel Bennett, best Soldiers (1969), about National known for playing the title role Service conscripts at Singapore in the TV sitcom Shelley, has in the 1950s; and The Love died at the age of 73, it was Ban (1973,) about the Catholic revealed yesterday. church’s opposition to women’s
He had retired 10 years ago use of the morning-after pill. because of ill health. Shelley lifted Bennett to wide
The Welsh star made his fame during the late 70s and stage debut playing Ophelia in early 80s as it pulled in up to Hamlet at the 18million viewers. Queen’s Theatre, The ITV series London, in 1959 followed James – an era when it Shelley – a was still a tradition well-educated, for men to play “professional Shakespearean freelance layabout” women’s roles. battling
His first TV with authority, appearance was the taxman, his as Rynian in the landlady and his 1965 Doctor Who girlfriend Fran. serial The Chase. Bennett also
Other comic TV had a major role in roles included Jam FILM In The Virgin Soldiers BBC2’s acclaimed & Jerusalem, Murder Most 1979 series Tinker Tailor Soldier Horrid, Time Gentlemen Please, Spy. He reprised his most wellknown The Quest trilogy, Checkpoint character in The Return Chiswick and Last Of The of Shelley over four series from Summer Wine. 1988-92. A box set was already
He starred in several hit due for release in November. films, including The Family Way In more recent years the star by acclaimed producers the returned to TV in a variety of Boulting Brothers in 1966. roles, including gangster Jack
There was also the 1971 Dalton in EastEnders in 2003. comedy Percy, with co-star Britt Bennett was born in Garnant, Ekland, in which he played a Carmarthen, in 1944 but grew up in London. After grammar school he went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
The star was married to Cathy McGowan – presenter of the mid-60s ITV rock show Ready Steady Go! – from 1970-88 and they had a daughter, Emma.
Bennett wed second wife Sandra Layne Fulford in 1998 and retired to the seaside town of Deal, Kent, in 2007.
He died on July 25 but the announcement of his death only emerged yesterday. PREMIERE With his Percy co-star Britt Ekland in 1971