Star of TV’S Heartbeat dies aged 75
Peter Benson HEARTBEAT star Peter Benson has died aged 75 after a short illness.
The TV actor played funeral director Bernie Scripps in the popular Yorkshire-based drama in all 18 series of the show’s run from 1992 to 2010.
His character often got involved in disastrous money-making schemes with Claude Greengrass (Bill Maynard, who died in March). Peter was also Henry VII in the BBC comedy Blackadder.
One of his former Heartbeat co-stars, Steven Blakeley, who played PC Geoff Younger, paid tribute to him, saying: “Farewell, Peter Benson. You made me laugh so much. There’ll never be another like you – talented, kind and gentle in equal measure. Bless you and rest well, sir.” Naomi Hall