Richard Waites (actor)
Encyclopedia
Richard Waites is a British actor who is most famous for appearing as Cuthbert Lilly in all 131 episodes of the popular CITV
show ZZZap!
.
, he reprised the role a year later for the spin-off 7T3. He also appeared in No.73's successor Motormouth
as "Francesco Fortune" in a spoof soap called Spin Off alongside Roger Sloman
and Wendy van der Plank
. It took a comedic look at the supposed goings on behind-the-scenes of the Motormouth studios, this segment was dropped after the first series. He continued to make guest appearances on Motormouth and its successor What's Up Doc?
. He also appeared as various characters in the What's Up Doc spin-off Wolf It
.
In 1989 he made an appearance in the original pilot for the long-running CITV programme Art Attack
alongside host Neil Buchanan
. He played Art Critic "Boringus Personicus" and an Art Teacher.
A year later in 1990 he appeared for 4 episodes as Lord Layta in "Jackson Pace : The Great Years" written by Daniel Peacock
and starring Josie Lawrence
.
His stage work includes two seasons at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre
, a tour of Privates on Parade
with Colin Baker
, and Whodunnit
by Anthony Shaffer with Lynda Baron
, John Altman
and Carry On actor Jack Douglas
.
In 1993 he was cast as Cuthbert Lilly in Zzzap! The character proved so successful that he got his own Spin-off show entitled Cuthbert's Diary (which was narrated by Waites). He originally played both Cuthbert and Tricky Dicky. The character of Tricky Dicky was dropped after Series 1, as the character was deemed too scary for younger viewers. Although Waites was seen on screen as Cuthbert, it was actually Neil Buchanan who provided the voice, and it wasn't until Series 10 in 2001 when Waites voiced the character of Cuthbert himself. He appeared in character as Cuthbert on the 25th of December 2000 in the CITV studio.
During his time on Zzzap! he appeared in other shows; he played the character "Bernard" in an episode of Casualty
in 1994 called "Grand Rational" and in the same year he appeared in 22 episodes of series 3 of another Saturday Morning show called Parallel 9
. He played the 3rd incarnation of "Mercator". In 1995 he also made an appearance in an Advert for BT (British Telecom) alongside Bob Hoskins
, and also with Joanna Lumley
and Adrian Edmonson for cider. Four years later in 1999 he appeared as Neville Tweedy in 4 episodes of Late Lounge for the TV channel Bravo.
in 2007 called "Astronuts" in which he played the lead character called "Ziggy".
CITV
CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
show ZZZap!
ZZZap!
Zzzap was a British children's television comedy programme. The concept of the show was a giant comic that has been brought to life. The show ran from 8 January 1993 until 21 September 2001, and was produced by The Media Merchants and Meridian Broadcasting...
.
Career
Prior to appearing in Zzzap! he appeared as "Hamilton Dent" on the Saturday Morning show No. 73No. 73
No 73, later re-titled 7T3, was a British 1980s children's TV show produced by Television South for the ITV network. It was broadcast live on Saturday mornings and ran from 1982 to 1988...
, he reprised the role a year later for the spin-off 7T3. He also appeared in No.73's successor Motormouth
Motormouth
Motormouth was a Saturday morning children's television series that was produced by Television South and aired across the ITV network for four series, running between 3 September 1988 and 4 April 1992...
as "Francesco Fortune" in a spoof soap called Spin Off alongside Roger Sloman
Roger Sloman
Roger Sloman is an English actor. Born in the Harlesden district of London, he has performed in dozens of television and film appearances since the late 1970s...
and Wendy van der Plank
Wendy van der Plank
Wendy van der Plank is a British actress best known for playing Wizadora in the ITV series of the same name.Born in Hampton near Leeds in Yorkshire, her first television appearance was in the BBC comedy series Spin Off...
. It took a comedic look at the supposed goings on behind-the-scenes of the Motormouth studios, this segment was dropped after the first series. He continued to make guest appearances on Motormouth and its successor What's Up Doc?
What's Up Doc? (TV series)
What's Up Doc? was a Saturday Morning children's variety series produced Scottish Television and aired on ITV from 1992 to 1995 and hosted by Andy Crane, Yvette Fielding and Pat Sharp...
. He also appeared as various characters in the What's Up Doc spin-off Wolf It
Wolf It
right|thumb|Bro & Bro- the stars of 'Wolf It'|200pxWolf It was a TV series produced by Scottish Television and broadcast on CITV for 4 series between 1993 and 1996. The show was spin off from the Saturday morning TV series What's Up Doc? and features Bro and Bro, two English wolves who featured...
.
In 1989 he made an appearance in the original pilot for the long-running CITV programme Art Attack
Art Attack
Art Attack is a British children's television series revolving around art. The original series was one of ITV's longest running programmes, running from 1990 to 2007, and was presented throughout by Neil Buchanan. The brand new series launched on Disney Junior on June 6 2011 and is presented by...
alongside host Neil Buchanan
Neil Buchanan
Neil Buchanan is an English television presenter best known for his work on the CITV programme Art Attack, a television programme that he presented during its run from 1990 to 2007...
. He played Art Critic "Boringus Personicus" and an Art Teacher.
A year later in 1990 he appeared for 4 episodes as Lord Layta in "Jackson Pace : The Great Years" written by Daniel Peacock
Daniel Peacock
Daniel Peacock is an English actor, writer and director best known for his work with the team of The Comic Strip Presents.... He is also known as Danny Peacock.-Acting:...
and starring Josie Lawrence
Josie Lawrence
Josie Lawrence is a British comedienne and actress best known for her work with the Comedy Store Players improvisational troupe, the television series Whose Line Is It Anyway? and more recently her role as Manda Best in EastEnders....
.
His stage work includes two seasons at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre is a theatre and theatre company based on Centenary Square in Birmingham, England...
, a tour of Privates on Parade
Privates on Parade
Privates on Parade: A Play with Songs in Two Acts is a 1977 farce by English playwright Peter Nichols , with music by Denis King.-Plot:...
with Colin Baker
Colin Baker
Colin Baker is a British actor who is known for playing Paul Merroney in The Brothers from 1974 to 1976 and as the sixth incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who, from 1984 to 1986.- Background:Colin Baker was born in London, but moved north to...
, and Whodunnit
Whodunnit (play)
Whodunnit? is the title of a play written by Anthony Shaffer in 1977, originally called The Case Of The Oily Levantine.-Plot summary:Whodunnit? is a comedy / mystery play...
by Anthony Shaffer with Lynda Baron
Lynda Baron
Lynda Baron is a BAFTA-nominated English stage, film and television actress, perhaps best known for playing the extremely busty Nurse Gladys Emmanuel, the object of Arkwright's affection, in the BBC comedy series Open All Hours....
, John Altman
John Altman
John Altman is an English actor and singer, perhaps best known for playing "Nasty" Nick Cotton in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. In 2010 he became the new frontman of the band Heavy Metal Kids following the death of former frontman Gary Holton in 1985.-Career:Altman was born in Reading,...
and Carry On actor Jack Douglas
Jack Douglas
Jack Douglas may refer to:* Jack Douglas , British actor and comedian* Jack Douglas , American record producer* Jack Douglas , American comedy writer...
.
Zzzap!
See main article Zzzap!ZZZap!
Zzzap was a British children's television comedy programme. The concept of the show was a giant comic that has been brought to life. The show ran from 8 January 1993 until 21 September 2001, and was produced by The Media Merchants and Meridian Broadcasting...
In 1993 he was cast as Cuthbert Lilly in Zzzap! The character proved so successful that he got his own Spin-off show entitled Cuthbert's Diary (which was narrated by Waites). He originally played both Cuthbert and Tricky Dicky. The character of Tricky Dicky was dropped after Series 1, as the character was deemed too scary for younger viewers. Although Waites was seen on screen as Cuthbert, it was actually Neil Buchanan who provided the voice, and it wasn't until Series 10 in 2001 when Waites voiced the character of Cuthbert himself. He appeared in character as Cuthbert on the 25th of December 2000 in the CITV studio.
During his time on Zzzap! he appeared in other shows; he played the character "Bernard" in an episode of Casualty
Casualty (TV series)
Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...
in 1994 called "Grand Rational" and in the same year he appeared in 22 episodes of series 3 of another Saturday Morning show called Parallel 9
Parallel 9
Parallel 9 was a British children's television entertainment show that broadcast from 1992 to 1994. A total of three series - one in each year - was produced, and each series ran for up to twenty-two weeks Parallel 9 (commonly known as 'P9') was a British children's television entertainment show...
. He played the 3rd incarnation of "Mercator". In 1995 he also made an appearance in an Advert for BT (British Telecom) alongside Bob Hoskins
Bob Hoskins
Robert William "Bob" Hoskins, Jr. is an English actor known for playing Cockney rough diamonds, psychopaths and gangsters, in films such as The Long Good Friday , and Mona Lisa , and lighter roles in family films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Hook .- Early life :Hoskins was born in Bury St...
, and also with Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lamond Lumley, OBE, FRGS is a British actress, voice-over artist, former-model and author, best known for her roles in British television series Absolutely Fabulous portraying Edina Monsoon's best friend, Patsy Stone, as well as parts in The New Avengers, Sapphire & Steel, and Sensitive...
and Adrian Edmonson for cider. Four years later in 1999 he appeared as Neville Tweedy in 4 episodes of Late Lounge for the TV channel Bravo.
Career since Zzzap
TV roles have been less frequent since Zzzap! ended in 2001. In 2004 he appeared on the Saturday Show Ministry of Mayhem. His last credited TV appearance to date was in an episode of Gina's Laughing GearGina's Laughing Gear
Gina's Laughing Gear was a special programming slot which was presented by Gina Yashere. It was shown on Friday afternoons on BBC One and repeated on Saturday on the CBBC Channel. The purpose was to showcase new CBBC comedy at the time....
in 2007 called "Astronuts" in which he played the lead character called "Ziggy".