Peter Dudley
Encyclopedia
Peter Dudley was an English
character actor
best known for his role as Bert Tilsley in television's Coronation Street
; a role he played continuously from 1979 until 1983.
His period in the programme was however dogged by controversy. In the early 1980s, he was accused by Greater Manchester Police
of "importuning" (attempting to "pick up" men in public toilets) - it was a charge he was to plead guilty to in court. He was let off with a fine and allowed to continue in the programme by makers Granada
who had stood by him throughout his ordeal. Later, Granada were forced to reconsider their decision when he was once again charged with the same offence. This time he protested his innocence and a court trial was held; however the jury failed to agree a verdict.
Shortly afterwards, Dudley suffered a stroke losing the use of his left arm. In Coronation Street a story was written whereby his character would be injured in an explosion in his son's garage; this would explain away the reason why his arm did not function and allow him to continue in the show. However, later, in 1983 he was written out of the programme (at his own request) to concentrate on preparing his defence for his re-trial but died from a heart attack
before it could take place.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
character actor
Character actor
A character actor is one who predominantly plays unusual or eccentric characters. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a character actor as "an actor who specializes in character parts", defining character part in turn as "an acting role displaying pronounced or unusual characteristics or...
best known for his role as Bert Tilsley in television's Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
; a role he played continuously from 1979 until 1983.
His period in the programme was however dogged by controversy. In the early 1980s, he was accused by Greater Manchester Police
Greater Manchester Police
Greater Manchester Police is the police force responsible for law enforcement within the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester in North West England...
of "importuning" (attempting to "pick up" men in public toilets) - it was a charge he was to plead guilty to in court. He was let off with a fine and allowed to continue in the programme by makers Granada
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
who had stood by him throughout his ordeal. Later, Granada were forced to reconsider their decision when he was once again charged with the same offence. This time he protested his innocence and a court trial was held; however the jury failed to agree a verdict.
Shortly afterwards, Dudley suffered a stroke losing the use of his left arm. In Coronation Street a story was written whereby his character would be injured in an explosion in his son's garage; this would explain away the reason why his arm did not function and allow him to continue in the show. However, later, in 1983 he was written out of the programme (at his own request) to concentrate on preparing his defence for his re-trial but died from a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
before it could take place.