Career: James became known in the film trade as `one-take James" and was constantly in demand for small parts. His first major role was alongside Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway in The Lavender Hill Mob (1951). His first big break came in 1954, when he became Tony Hancock's sidekick in the hugely popular BBC radio comedy Hancock's Half Hour. His next break came when he appeared on the big screen in Carry On Teacher (1959). He went on to make 19 Carry On films and various stage and TV spin-offs. On the small screen, he enjoyed success in the sitcoms Hancock's Half Hour, Citizen James, George and the Dragon and Bless This House. He was touring in a stage version of The Mating Season when he suffered a fatal heart attack on April 26, 1976. He was 62.

Career: Hawtrey went on to appear in a number of stage roles and this led to parts on radio, notably during Children's Hour in the 1940s in the Norman and Henry Bones, and Just William. After making his TV debut in The Army Game in the late 1950s, he starred in his first Carry On film, Carry on Sergeant (1958). He became synonymous with the comedies and went on to appear in 23 of the films. Despite not making another film after Carry on Abroad (1972), Hawtrey continued to work regularly on radio, TV and the stage. His last TV appearance was in an episode of children's series Supergran in 1987. He died on October 27, 1988, at the age of 73.

Career: After leaving the Army, Williams landed work as a professional actor in repertory companies. On the strength of his performance in a production of Saint Joan, he was hired by a radio producer to do voice characterisations in radio comedy Hancock's Half Hour. His popularity on radio soared in the 1950s and 1960s when he starred with Kenneth Horne in Beyond Our Ken and Round the Horne. Williams also appeared in a number of revues on the stage in the West End, but he was best remembered for his comedy roles on the big screen in the Carry On films. He appeared in 25 of the Carry On films between 1958 and 1978. When the film work dried up, he became a regular on TV talk shows. He died on April 15, 1988 at the age of 62.

Career: Sims went on to appear in a number of farces at Brian Rix's Aldwych Theatre but she preferred working on films. She made her first appearance on the big screen in 1953 opposite George Cole in Will Any Gentleman? She followed this up with roles in Trouble in Store and Doctor in the House. She continued her run in comedy films when she was offered a part in Carry On Nurse. She went on to become a regular in the Carry On series, appearing in 24, including Carry On Screaming, Carry On Henry, and Carry On Camping. After the Carry On films ended in 1978, Sims became a regular face on TV, making appearances in Worzel Gummidge, In Loving Memory, Doctor Who, Farrington of the F.O., Simon and the Witch, On the Up, As Time Goes By, and The Last of the Blonde Bombshells. She died on June 27, 2001, at the age of 71.

Career: During the Second World War, Connor served as an infantry gunner with the Middlesex Regiment but continued acting with the Stars in Battledress concert party and ENSA. After the war, he joined the newly formed Bristol Old Vic before moving on to the London Old Vic Company. He found his greatest successes in comedy. He took over from Peter Sellers in the radio show Ray's a Laugh and made occasional appearances on The Goon Show when one of the regular cast members was ill. His first major role on the big screen came when he was cast in the first Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant (1958). He went on to become a regular in the Carry On series, appearing in 18 Carry On films. Connor was also notable for his many TV roles, which included parts in Rentaghost, Hi-de-Hi! and ‘Allo ‘Allo. He died on November 28, 1993 at the age of 75.

Career: After the Second World War, Owen went on to appear in a number of films, including The Way to the Stars (1945), School for Secrets (1946), When the Bough Breaks (1947), and Once a Jolly Swagman (1949). His film career would also see him appear in a number of early Carry On films and several Lindsay Anderson movies, including O Lucky Man! (1973) and In Celebration (1974). On the stage, he starred alongside Katherine Hepburn in As You Like It, and with Spike Milligan in Son of Oblomov. Owen wrote the lyrics for the musical The Matchgirls. TV came knocking in 1973 when he landed the role of Compo Simmonite in Roy Clarke's Last of the Summer Wine. Owen played a central role in the success of the sitcom and appeared in the show for 26 years until his death in 1999. Away from acting, he was a strong supporter of the Labour Party.