Chariots writer Col dies at 81

OSCAR-WINNING writer and actor Colin Welland – the man who penned Chariots of Fire – has died aged 81, his family said yesterday.

The Lancashire-born dad-of-four acted in everything from Kes Z Cars and won his Academy Award for the screenplay of Chariots of Fire in 1981 – famously waving his statue and announcing in his acceptance speech: “The British are coming!”

His family said in a statement that Colin had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for several years but died peacefully in his sleep.

The statement read: “Colin will be desperately missed by his family and friends.

“Alzheimer’s is a cruel illness, and there have been difficult times, but in the end Colin died peacefully in his sleep.

“We are proud of his many achievements during his life but most of all he will be missed as a loving and generous friend, husband, father and granddad.”

He is survived by wife Patricia, four children and six grandchildren. ACTOR Tony Robinson only got the part of Baldrick in BBC comedy series

after Timothy Spall turned the

role down

to MELISSA Reeves left nothing to the imagination after suffering not one, but TWO wardrobe malfunctions in this slinky gown.

The stunna stepped out in the nude floor-length frock to attend a charity gala hosted by Chloe Goodman and Marnie Simpson.

But the 23-year-old flashed more than intended as she made her entrance in the cut-away dress – when a gust of wind blew it up and flashed her shaven minge to waiting photographers.

And it seems she didn’t learn from her initial mishap as her outfit slipped again to reveal a nipple as she made her way out of the fundraising bash.

One onlooker said: “You’ve got to love Melissa – not one cheeky flash, but two.

“She’s proper value for money, that lass!”