Derek Royle
Encyclopedia
Derek Royle was a British
actor
born in London
, United Kingdom
. His face was probably better known than his name to British viewers, but he acted in films and TV from the mid-sixties until his death. He had a supporting role in The Beatles
' film Magical Mystery Tour
in 1967, as well as a minor one with Cilla Black
in the film Work Is a Four-Letter Word
a year later. Most of his film appearances were in comedy films such as Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!
(1973)
He appeared in a children's TV comedy series, Hogg's Back (1975) as Doctor Hogg, an eccentric general practitioner
(GP). Royle acted with Wendy Richard
and Pat Coombs
over two series. (Hog's Back is an area in Surrey
in Britain.) Royle played an unfortunate guest in a Fawlty Towers
episode, "The Kipper and the Corpse
", wherein he played the eponymous corpse. He also played Monsieur Ernest LeClerc
in the sixth series of 'Allo 'Allo!
, and had a supporting role in a remake of Indiscreet (1988) and a new BBC version of a Lord Peter Wimsey
story.
As a stage actor he was a mainstay of Brian Rix
's Whitehall farces company. He specialised in absent minded characters and used his acrobatic skills to fall down stairs and immediately get up again as if nothing had happened.
He died from cancer aged 61. His daughters Amanda
and Carol Royle
became actresses.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
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...
born in 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...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. His face was probably better known than his name to British viewers, but he acted in films and TV from the mid-sixties until his death. He had a supporting role in The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' film Magical Mystery Tour
Magical Mystery Tour (film)
Magical Mystery Tour is an hour-long British television film starring The Beatles that originally aired on BBC1 on 26 December 1967...
in 1967, as well as a minor one with Cilla Black
Cilla Black
Cilla Black OBE is an English singer, actress, entertainer and media personality, who has been consistently popular as a light entertainment figure since 1963. She is most famous for her singles Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Alfie...
in the film Work Is a Four-Letter Word
Work Is a Four-Letter Word
-External links:*...
a year later. Most of his film appearances were in comedy films such as Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!
Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!
Don't Just Lie There, Say Something! is a 1973 British film based on the popular "Whitehall Farce" written by Michael Pertwee, who also wrote the screenplay.-Plot summary:...
(1973)
He appeared in a children's TV comedy series, Hogg's Back (1975) as Doctor Hogg, an eccentric general practitioner
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
(GP). Royle acted with Wendy Richard
Wendy Richard
Wendy Richard, MBE was an English actress best known for playing Miss Brahms in Are You Being Served? and Pauline Fowler in EastEnders...
and Pat Coombs
Pat Coombs
Pat Coombs was an English actress. Coombs was considered one of Britain's great character actresses, specialising in the portrayal of the eternal downtrodden female — comically under the thumb of stronger personalities. She was known for many roles on radio, film and television sitcoms...
over two series. (Hog's Back is an area in 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...
in Britain.) Royle played an unfortunate guest in a Fawlty Towers
Fawlty Towers
Fawlty Towers is a British sitcom produced by BBC Television and first broadcast on BBC2 in 1975. Twelve television program episodes were produced . The show was written by John Cleese and his then wife Connie Booth, both of whom played major characters...
episode, "The Kipper and the Corpse
The Kipper and the Corpse
"The Kipper and the Corpse" is the fourth episode of the second series of the British sitcom Fawlty Towers. It first aired on BBC2 on 12 March 1979. Distinguishing it from other episodes is its heavy use of Black comedy.-Background:...
", wherein he played the eponymous corpse. He also played Monsieur Ernest LeClerc
Monsieur Ernest LeClerc
Monsieur Ernest "Dipstick" LeClerc is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom Allo 'Allo!, which ran from 1982 to 1992.LeClerc arrived in Nouvion after his twin brother Roger visited him in prison and they decided to swap places, because Roger claimed that the food there was better than that of...
in the sixth series of 'Allo 'Allo!
'Allo 'Allo!
'Allo 'Allo! is a British sitcom broadcast on BBC One from 1982 to 1992 comprising eighty-five episodes. It is a parody of another BBC programme, the wartime drama Secret Army, and was created by David Croft, who also wrote the theme music, and Jeremy Lloyd. Lloyd and Croft wrote the first 6...
, and had a supporting role in a remake of Indiscreet (1988) and a new BBC version of a Lord Peter Wimsey
Lord Peter Wimsey
Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey is a bon vivant amateur sleuth in a series of detective novels and short stories by Dorothy L. Sayers, in which he solves mysteries; usually, but not always, murders...
story.
As a stage actor he was a mainstay of Brian Rix
Brian Rix, Baron Rix
Brian Norman Roger Rix, Baron Rix, CBE is an English actor and charity worker. He is the younger brother of British actress Sheila Mercier .-Early years:...
's Whitehall farces company. He specialised in absent minded characters and used his acrobatic skills to fall down stairs and immediately get up again as if nothing had happened.
He died from cancer aged 61. His daughters Amanda
Amanda Royle
Amanda Royle is a British actress who has appeared in a variety of British television shows including Agatha Christie's Poirot, Campion and Rosemary & Thyme...
and Carol Royle
Carol Royle
Carol Royle is an English television actress.Royle was born in Blackpool and studied drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She is probably best known for her leading role as Jenny Russell alongside Simon Cadell in the BBC sitcom Life Without George which ran for three series from 1987...
became actresses.