Bill Maynard
Encyclopedia
Walter Frederick George Williams (born 8 October 1928), better known by the stage name
Bill Maynard, is an English
comedian
and actor
.
, Surrey
, and attended Kibworth Beauchamp Grammar School
in Leicestershire
, and started as a variety performer, taking his professional surname from an advertising board (billboard) for Maynard's Wine Gums
, a popular British confectionery at the time. He was placed fourth in the UK heat of the
1957 Eurovision Song Contest
. With Terry Scott
he appeared at Butlins
Holiday Camp
in Skegness
and partnered him in the TV series Great Scott, It's Maynard!.
In 1973 Maynard worked with television actor and comedian Ronnie Barker
in the (original) "Football Blues" which aired as "Spanners Eleven" and was part of a series called Seven of One
. In 1975 he had a film role as Yorkshire
farmer Hinchcliffe in It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet
. At this time, he starred in the Yorkshire Television
sitcoms Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt!
where he played the eponymous lead role and for playing Fred Moffatt in The Gaffer
. In the 1970s he also played small roles in some of the Carry On films, including Carry On Matron
(1972) and Carry on Dick
(1974).
In 1984, Maynard stood against Tony Benn
in the by-election at Chesterfield
as an Independent
Labour candidate. It was his only foray into politics and was purely to try to prevent Benn winning the seat and thus re-entering Parliament. Benn won the seat; Maynard took fourth place.
Maynard published his autobiography The Yo-Yo Man in November 1975 (by Leicester's Golden Eagle books).
and "Stand Up...And Be Counted in 1997 Publisher: The Breedon books Publishing Company limited.
In 1992 he returned to Yorkshire Television and began playing the lovable old rogue Claude Jeremiah Greengrass in the popular and long-running television series Heartbeat, remaining in the show until 2001, and its spin-off series The Royal
until 2003. Maynard became very popular for his portrayal of the money-making old farmer, and the role of Greengrass probably made him beloved by the whole of Britain. In Europe, Maynard is still very popular for his portrayal in "Heartbeat".
Having originally retired from acting in 2000 following a series of strokes, he made a comeback to radio
presenting in March 2003 for BBC Radio Leicester
where he had last worked in 1968. His show, called Bill of Fare, aired every Sunday afternoon from 2–4 pm for nearly five years, until he was dismissed without notice on 5 February 2008.
In October 2009 he made a return to the stage when he appeared as the main Guest of Honour at the Pride of Bridlington Awards held in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Maynard was introduced to the audience by British politician the Rt Hon Greg Knight
MP
, who praised his work and described the actor as "one of Britain’s best-loved comedy stars". Maynard made an entertaining and amusing speech and was mobbed by the audience, showing, even at 81, that he was still held in great affection by the public. On 15 October 2010 he appeared on The Alan Titchmarsh Show
, where he revealed that the BBC
had asked him to change his last name, so as he was walking around London
, he saw a poster
with Maynards
Wine Gums, written on it so he said to himself "That'll do", and that's how he became known as Maynards winegums.
, they did divorce, as he said in a interview in The Daily Express about his time in Heartbeat. Maynard is a vegetarian. His son is Martin Maynard Williams
.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Bill Maynard, is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
Early life and career
Maynard was born at 5 Oak Cottages, Heath EndHeath End, Surrey
Heath End is a village in Surrey, England. It lies between Farnham and Aldershot. The census area Farnham Hale and Heath End has a population of 4,270.-History:...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, and attended Kibworth Beauchamp Grammar School
Beauchamp College
The Beauchamp College is a comprehensive upper school and further education community college, in Oadby, a town on the outskirts of Leicester, England.-Admissions:...
in Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, and started as a variety performer, taking his professional surname from an advertising board (billboard) for Maynard's Wine Gums
Maynards
Maynards is a sweets manufacturer in United Kingdom and Canada, and is most famous for its Wine Gums.- History :Charles Riley Maynard and his brother Tom started manufacturing sweets in 1880 in their kitchen in Stamford Hill, London. Next door, Charles's wife, Sarah Ann, ran a sweet shop selling...
, a popular British confectionery at the time. He was placed fourth in the UK heat of the
1957 Eurovision Song Contest
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1957
The United Kingdom took part in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 1957. The country was represented by Patricia Bredin with the song “All” written by Reynell Wreford and Alan Stranks. The entry was chosen during a national final called A song for Europe...
. With Terry Scott
Terry Scott
Owen John "Terry" Scott was an English actor and comedian who appeared in seven Carry On films. He also appeared in BBC1's popular domestic sitcom Terry and June with June Whitfield...
he appeared at Butlins
Butlins
Butlins is a chain of large holiday camps in the United Kingdom. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable holidays for ordinary British families....
Holiday Camp
Holiday Camp
Holiday Camp is a 1947 British comedy drama film directed by Ken Annakin, starring Jack Warner, Jimmy Hanley, Kathleen Harrison and Dennis Price.-Synopsis:...
in Skegness
Skegness
Skegness is a seaside town and civil parish in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. Located on the Lincolnshire coast of the North Sea, east of the city of Lincoln it has a total resident population of 18,910....
and partnered him in the TV series Great Scott, It's Maynard!.
In 1973 Maynard worked with television actor and comedian Ronnie Barker
Ronnie Barker
Ronald William George "Ronnie" Barker, OBE was a British actor, comedian, writer, critic, broadcaster and businessman...
in the (original) "Football Blues" which aired as "Spanners Eleven" and was part of a series called Seven of One
Seven of One
Seven of One was a British comedy series that aired on BBC2 in 1973. Starring Ronnie Barker, 7 of One is a series of seven separate comedies that would serve as possible pilots for sitcoms. Originally it was to be called Six of One, which Barker planned to follow up with another series called Half...
. In 1975 he had a film role as Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
farmer Hinchcliffe in It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (film)
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet , was a sequel to the 1975 film All Creatures Great and Small....
. At this time, he starred in the Yorkshire Television
Yorkshire Television
Yorkshire Television, now officially known as ITV Yorkshire and sometimes unofficially abbreviated to YTV, is a British television broadcaster and the contractor for the Yorkshire franchise area on the ITV network...
sitcoms Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt!
Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt!
Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt! was a popular ITV situation comedy which ran from 1974 to 1977.It starred Bill Maynard as the council labourer, Scarsdale Working Men’s Club secretary, hapless handyman and all-round public nuisance Selwyn Froggitt. It was created by Roy Clarke, who wrote the pilot...
where he played the eponymous lead role and for playing Fred Moffatt in The Gaffer
The Gaffer (TV series)
The Gaffer is an ITV situation comedy series of the early 1980s starring Bill Maynard and written by businessman Graham White. 20 episodes were shown between 1981 and 1983...
. In the 1970s he also played small roles in some of the Carry On films, including Carry On Matron
Carry On Matron
Carry On Matron is the twenty-third Carry On film. It was released in 1972. It features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Bernard Bresslaw, Barbara Windsor and Kenneth Connor. This was the last Carry on... film for Terry Scott after appearing...
(1972) and Carry on Dick
Carry On Dick
Carry On Dick was the 26th Carry On film. It was released in 1974 and marked the end of an era for the series. It featured the last appearances of Sid James and Hattie Jacques although both would make a further appearance in the Carry On Laughing TV series...
(1974).
In 1984, Maynard stood against Tony Benn
Tony Benn
Anthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC is a British Labour Party politician and a former MP and Cabinet Minister.His successful campaign to renounce his hereditary peerage was instrumental in the creation of the Peerage Act 1963...
in the by-election at Chesterfield
Chesterfield by-election, 1984
The Chesterfield by-election, 1984 was held on 1 March 1984 for a seat in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom to represent Chesterfield in Derbyshire...
as an Independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
Labour candidate. It was his only foray into politics and was purely to try to prevent Benn winning the seat and thus re-entering Parliament. Benn won the seat; Maynard took fourth place.
Maynard published his autobiography The Yo-Yo Man in November 1975 (by Leicester's Golden Eagle books).
and "Stand Up...And Be Counted in 1997 Publisher: The Breedon books Publishing Company limited.
In 1992 he returned to Yorkshire Television and began playing the lovable old rogue Claude Jeremiah Greengrass in the popular and long-running television series Heartbeat, remaining in the show until 2001, and its spin-off series The Royal
The Royal
The Royal is a British medical drama series produced by ITV. The show comprises one hour episodes which were normally first aired on ITV in the Sunday early evening slot....
until 2003. Maynard became very popular for his portrayal of the money-making old farmer, and the role of Greengrass probably made him beloved by the whole of Britain. In Europe, Maynard is still very popular for his portrayal in "Heartbeat".
Having originally retired from acting in 2000 following a series of strokes, he made a comeback to radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
presenting in March 2003 for BBC Radio Leicester
BBC Radio Leicester
BBC Radio Leicester is the BBC Local Radio service for the English counties of Leicestershire and Rutland. The station broadcasts from studios in Leicester on 104.9 FM, on DAB, and via the BBC iPlayer.-History:...
where he had last worked in 1968. His show, called Bill of Fare, aired every Sunday afternoon from 2–4 pm for nearly five years, until he was dismissed without notice on 5 February 2008.
In October 2009 he made a return to the stage when he appeared as the main Guest of Honour at the Pride of Bridlington Awards held in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Maynard was introduced to the audience by British politician the Rt Hon Greg Knight
Greg Knight
Gregory Knight is a British politician and author. He is Conservative Member of Parliament for East Yorkshire.-Education and professional life:...
MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, who praised his work and described the actor as "one of Britain’s best-loved comedy stars". Maynard made an entertaining and amusing speech and was mobbed by the audience, showing, even at 81, that he was still held in great affection by the public. On 15 October 2010 he appeared on The Alan Titchmarsh Show
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
The Alan Titchmarsh Show is a British daytime TV chat show broadcast between 3 and 4pm weekdays on the ITV Network.-Format:The programme made its debut on ITV in 2007. It focused on the theme of "The Best of British" focusing on food, entertainment and celebrities in a mid-afternoon slot...
, where he revealed that the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
had asked him to change his last name, so as he was walking around London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, he saw a poster
Poster
A poster is any piece of printed paper designed to be attached to a wall or vertical surface. Typically posters include both textual and graphic elements, although a poster may be either wholly graphical or wholly text. Posters are designed to be both eye-catching and informative. Posters may be...
with Maynards
Maynards
Maynards is a sweets manufacturer in United Kingdom and Canada, and is most famous for its Wine Gums.- History :Charles Riley Maynard and his brother Tom started manufacturing sweets in 1880 in their kitchen in Stamford Hill, London. Next door, Charles's wife, Sarah Ann, ran a sweet shop selling...
Wine Gums, written on it so he said to himself "That'll do", and that's how he became known as Maynards winegums.
Personal life
He has lived in Leicestershire for many years. Maynard married Muriel Linnett on 5 November 1949 and they had two children. She died in June 1983. In 1989 Maynard married Tonia Bern, widow of Donald CampbellDonald Campbell
Donald Malcolm Campbell, CBE was a British speed record breaker who broke eight world speed records in the 1950s and 1960s...
, they did divorce, as he said in a interview in The Daily Express about his time in Heartbeat. Maynard is a vegetarian. His son is Martin Maynard Williams
Ryder (band)
Ryder was a purpose-made pop group led by Maynard Williams whose primary purpose was to represent the United Kingdom at the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest in Bergen, Norway. Ryder performed the song "Runner in the Night" which was placed 7th. They were criticised in the media for being a particularly...
.
Filmography
- It All Goes to ShowIt All Goes to ShowIt All Goes to Show is a 1969 British short comedy film.-Plot:Councillor Henry Parker, Secretary of Brightsea Bay Entertainments Committee has to seek out talent for the summer show. He bumps into old British Army comrade Mike Sago and the two reignite their double act.-Cast:*Arthur Lowe as...
(1969) - One More TimeOne More Time (film)One More Time is a comedy film, directed by Jerry Lewis and starring Sammy Davis, Jr. and Peter Lawford. It was filmed in 1969 and released in May, 1970 by United Artists. It is a sequel to the 1968 film Salt and Pepper.-Synopsis:...
(1970) - Carry on LovingCarry On LovingCarry On Loving is the twentieth Carry On film, and was released in 1970. It features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Terry Scott and Bernard Bresslaw alongside newcomers Richard O'Callaghan and Jacki Piper . Carry On Loving featured...
(1970) - A Hole lot of Trouble (1971)
- Carry on HenryCarry On HenryCarry On Henry is the 21st of the Carry On series and was released in 1971. It tells a fictionalised story involving Sid James as Henry VIII, who chases after Barbara Windsor's character Bettina. James and Windsor feature alongside other regulars Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Terry...
(1971) - Carry On at Your ConvenienceCarry On at Your ConvenienceCarry On at Your Convenience, released in 1971, is the 22nd film of the Carry On series and was the first box office failure of the series. The failure has been attributed to the film's attempt at exploring the political themes of the trade union movement, crucially portraying the union activists...
(1971) - Bless This HouseBless This House (film)Bless This House is a 1972 British comedy film and a spin off from the television sitcom Bless This House.-Cast:The film starred many of the main stars from the TV series but some were missing and were replaced.*Sid James as Sid Abbot...
(1972) - Adolf Hitler: My Part in His DownfallAdolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall (film)Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall is a film adaptation of the similarly titled first volume of Spike Milligan's autobiography. It starred Jim Dale as the young Terence "Spike" Milligan. Spike played the part of his father, Leo Milligan....
(1972) - Four Dimensions of Greta (1972)
- Carry on MatronCarry On MatronCarry On Matron is the twenty-third Carry On film. It was released in 1972. It features series regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Bernard Bresslaw, Barbara Windsor and Kenneth Connor. This was the last Carry on... film for Terry Scott after appearing...
(1972) - Steptoe and Son Ride AgainSteptoe and Son Ride AgainSteptoe and Son Ride Again is the 1973 sequel to the 1972 film Steptoe and Son. Again the film starred Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H. Corbett.-Plot:...
(1973) - Carry on DickCarry On DickCarry On Dick was the 26th Carry On film. It was released in 1974 and marked the end of an era for the series. It featured the last appearances of Sid James and Hattie Jacques although both would make a further appearance in the Carry On Laughing TV series...
(1974) - Confessions of a Window CleanerConfessions of a Window CleanerConfessions of a Window Cleaner is a 1974 British sex comedy film, directed by Val Guest.Like the other films in the Confessions series; Confessions of a Pop Performer, Confessions of a Driving Instructor and Confessions from a Holiday Camp, it concerns the erotic adventures of Timothy Lea, based...
(1974) - Man About the House (1974)
- It Shouldn't Happen to a VetIt Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (film)It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet , was a sequel to the 1975 film All Creatures Great and Small....
(1975) - Confessions of a Pop PerformerConfessions of a Pop PerformerConfessions of a Pop Performer is a 1975 British sex-farce film. This second instalment continues the erotic adventures of Timothy Lea and is based on the novels written under the name by Christopher Wood. In this case, the original novel was called Confessions from the Pop Scene, but was later...
(1975) - Robin and MarianRobin and MarianRobin and Marian is a 1976 British/American co-produced romantic adventure period film filmed in Pamplona, Spain starring Sean Connery as Robin Hood, Audrey Hepburn as Lady Marian, Nicol Williamson as Little John, Robert Shaw as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Richard Harris as King Richard. It also...
(1976) - Confessions of a Driving InstructorConfessions of a Driving InstructorConfessions of a Driving Instructor is a 1976 British sex-farce film. This was the third instalment of the Confessions sequence on the erotic adventures of Timothy Lea, based on the novels published under the name by Christopher Wood.-Premise:...
(1976) - Confessions from a Holiday CampConfessions from a Holiday CampConfessions from a Holiday Camp is a 1977 British comedy film. It is the last film in the series which began with Confessions of a Window Cleaner.-Plot:...
(1977) - Sky Pirates (1977)
- The Sweeney (Supersnout)- as Det. Chief Insp. Stephen Quirk (1975)
Comedy
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Seven of One Seven of One Seven of One was a British comedy series that aired on BBC2 in 1973. Starring Ronnie Barker, 7 of One is a series of seven separate comedies that would serve as possible pilots for sitcoms. Originally it was to be called Six of One, which Barker planned to follow up with another series called Half... |
Councillor Todd |
| 1974–77, 1978 | Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt! Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt! Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt! was a popular ITV situation comedy which ran from 1974 to 1977.It starred Bill Maynard as the council labourer, Scarsdale Working Men’s Club secretary, hapless handyman and all-round public nuisance Selwyn Froggitt. It was created by Roy Clarke, who wrote the pilot... Selwyn Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt! Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt! was a popular ITV situation comedy which ran from 1974 to 1977.It starred Bill Maynard as the council labourer, Scarsdale Working Men’s Club secretary, hapless handyman and all-round public nuisance Selwyn Froggitt. It was created by Roy Clarke, who wrote the pilot... |
Selwyn Froggitt |
| 1975 | The Life Of Riley | Frank Riley |
| 1977 | Paradise Island Paradise Island Paradise Island is an island in the Bahamas formerly known as Hog Island. The island is located just off the shore of the city of Nassau, which is itself located on the northern edge of the island of New Providence. It is best known for the sprawling 'Vegas-by-the-sea resort' Atlantis.Paradise... |
Rev Alexander Goodwin |
| 1981–83 | The Gaffer The Gaffer (TV series) The Gaffer is an ITV situation comedy series of the early 1980s starring Bill Maynard and written by businessman Graham White. 20 episodes were shown between 1981 and 1983... |
Fred Moffatt |
| 1985–92 | In Sickness and in Health In Sickness and in Health In Sickness and in Health was a BBC television sitcom which ran between 1985 and 1992. It was also a sequel to both the highly successful Til Death Us Do Part which ran between 1966 and 1975 and Till Death... which ran for one series in 1981.-Series 1:This comedy series debuted in 1985 and took... |
Bert Luscombe |
Drama
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Kisses At Fifty | Harry |
| 1975 | The Sweeney The Sweeney The Sweeney is a 1970s British television police drama focusing on two members of the Flying Squad, a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in tackling armed robbery and violent crime in London... |
Quirk |
| 1984 | Minder Minder (TV series) Minder is a British comedy-drama about the London criminal underworld. Initially produced by Verity Lambert, it was made by Euston Films, a subsidiary of Thames Television and shown on ITV... |
Barney Todd |
| 1991 | Screen One | George Trout |
| 1992–2001, 2003 | Heartbeat The Royal The Royal The Royal is a British medical drama series produced by ITV. The show comprises one hour episodes which were normally first aired on ITV in the Sunday early evening slot.... |
Claude Greengrass |
| 2002 | Dalziel and Pascoe Dalziel and Pascoe (BBC TV series) Dalziel and Pascoe is a popular British television crime drama based on the Dalziel and Pascoe books by Reginald Hill, which was first broadcast in March 1996. It is set in Yorkshire, and is about two detectives... |
Councillor Cyril Steel |