THAT’S LOAF...
PAYING TRIBUTE TO STARS OF BREAD
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THE sitcom Bread was one of the most popular shows of its time, and since it ended in the early 90s, the stars have gone in very different directions with their careers.
It’s been 35 years since Bread first hit our screens. The 80s sitcom, which followed the Liverpool-based Boswell family, became hugely popular during its seven-series run.
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By the time it had wrapped in 1991, the stars had become household names up and down the country. At its height in 1988, Bread was raking in 21million viewers for the BBC, but where are they now? WILL TWIGGER finds out.
1. VICTOR MCGUIRE
Victor played the lovable Jack. Since Bread, Victor has enjoyed a long career in film and TV. Now 63, soap fans may recognise him from his Coronation Street stint as Big Garth.
2. PETER HOWITT
Peter’s character Joey, a Boswell son, became a favourite and the actor behind him was elevated to heartthrob status. But Bread was only the beginning of his success.
Peter moved to Tinsel Town and made it big as a director, working with A-list names such as Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors and Rowan Atkinson in Johnny English.
Peter lives in Canada, and his last film was 2008’s Scorched Earth.
3. GILLY COMAN
Gilly’s Aveline appeared in four series of Bread, before the actress went on to star in Corrie, Emmerdale, Inspector Morse and Open
All Hours, with Ronnie Barker and David Jason.
The mum of three sadly died, aged 54, in 2010 of a suspected heart attack.
4. JONATHON MORRIS
Arty Adrian Boswell was played by talent Jonathon – who fans may also recognise as the host of CBBC’S The Movie Game, which he took over from Phillip Schofield. While he continued to act and appear in gameshows, the star eventually stepped back from the limelight.
5. JENNY JAY
Jenny played Adrian Boswell’s girlfriend Carmen in the series. Jenny has had a successful acting career, appearing in Alas Smith and Jones, Inspector Morse and All Creatures Great and Small. She is also a singer and features in a Morrissey video and has performed with Imagination and James Brown. Now 53, she enjoys spending time with her children.
6. NICK CONWAY
Another Corrie star, Billy Boswell actor Nick now passes on his acting wisdom at the theatre school he runs.
He has appeared in The Bill and Casualty, and 10 years ago showed
his face in Weatherfield as Gavin. The multi-talented 57-year-old also DJS.
7. RONALD FORFAR
Ronald, who played Nellie’s adulterous husband and Lil Lilo’s lover, became a novelist after a prestigious acting career. But even after his Bread days, he was recognised by fans.
In 2015, he said: “I still look like Freddie Boswell, so I get a reaction from people – it’s a friendly reaction.”
He died last year, aged 81.
8. KENNETH WALLER
The Boswell’s grumpy Grandad was wonderfully portrayed by Kenneth. He appeared in all seven series and was frequently telling people to “P*** off!” The Yorkshireman had a long career in theatre, TV and film. He was in Are You Being Served, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Corrie. He died in 2000 aged 72 after
a brief illness.
In 1988 Bread raked in 21million viewers
9. JEAN BOHT
Now 89, Jean brought to life Boswell matriarch Nellie. The character was fearsome in protecting her family, but also caring and decent. She’s went on to appear in The Bill, Casualty and Holby City. Jean is married to US conductor Carl Davis.
10. HILARY CROWSON
Hilary’s Julie married the youngest Boswell son, Billy. They had daughter Fran, but eventually divorced, and by series 5 Hilary had left the show.
She worked in theatre and film, appearing in murder mystery The House On Sorority Row and thriller The Innocent Sleep, before withdrawing from the limelight.
EILEEN POLLOCK
Eileen, not pictured, didn’t actually play a Boswell, but was one of the show’s most recognisable faces as Lil Lilo, the flame-haired mistress of Ronald Forfar’s philandering Freddie.
She was also a film star, appearing in Far And Away (1992), alongside Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, and Angela’s Ashes in 1999.
The news broke at Christmas that Eileen had sadly died at the age of 73.