This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/7302554.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Captain Birds Eye ad actor dies | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Actor John Hewer, who was best known for playing Captain Birds Eye in the popular fish finger adverts, has died aged 86. | Actor John Hewer, who was best known for playing Captain Birds Eye in the popular fish finger adverts, has died aged 86. |
He played the role of the jovial naval captain from 1967 until 1998. | |
The star, who was a resident of actors' retirement home Brinsworth House in Middlesex, passed away on Sunday. | The star, who was a resident of actors' retirement home Brinsworth House in Middlesex, passed away on Sunday. |
He also appeared in the original Broadway production of Sandy Wilson's The Boy Friend with veteran actress Dame Julie Andrews. | |
Industry newspaper The Stage said the actor had also appeared in many musical theatrical productions including Sail Away and Six of One in London's West End. | |
For many years he was a long-time member of the Players Theatre in London and he also went into management presenting music hall shows on Southend Pier. | |
'Saddened' | |
His TV credits included The Great Detective and the mini-series Nicholas Nickleby. | |
In 1971, an obituary for the Birds Eye character appeared in the Times newspaper after it was decided to retire him. | |
However, that was only temporary and he returned to TV screens three years later. | However, that was only temporary and he returned to TV screens three years later. |
When he eventually did retire from the role, actor Thomas Pescod took over. | When he eventually did retire from the role, actor Thomas Pescod took over. |
A Birds Eye spokesperson said: "We are saddened to hear of the news of John Hewer's death. | |
"As Captain Birds Eye in our ads for nearly 30 years, John was very much part of our family and our thoughts are now with his." | |
In 1993, Captain Birds Eye was voted as the most recognised captain after Captain Cook in a poll. |
Previous version
1
Next version