One Foot in the Grave - Monday Morning Will Be Fine - 6:25 pm Wednesday, December 17 on U&Drama +1

Richard Wilson (Actor) .. Victor Meldrew

Born: July 09, 1937 in Greenock, Renfrewshire

Best Known For: His role as acerbic pensioner Victor Meldrew.

Early-life: Iain Richard Wilson was born on July 9, 1936, in Greenock, Renfrewshire. He has an older sister called Moira. His father worked in the shipyards and was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Wilson claims to have been teased at school due to his slight frame. On leaving school, Wilson became a hospital laboratory technician, did National Service and eventually got into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) at the age of 27. After graduating, he concentrated largely on theatre work.

Career: Wilson has film credits, sitcoms and top dramas to his name. Only When I Laugh, Tutti Frutti and A Passage to India are among them, but it is probably for the character of Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave that he will be best remembered. The series was written with him in mind by David Renwick, though Wilson turned it down at first, believing he was too young to play a retired man. Luckily, he changed his mind and a TV legend was born. Since then he's appeared in such projects as Born and Bred, Doctor Who, and he had a regular role in BBC hit Merlin. Away from the small screen, he continues to direct plays and was awarded an OBE in 1994.

Quote: "I do find it quite easy to get angry, especially after a hard day. In public, you have to try and rein in your temper because people try and goad you into it."

Trivia: He lent his voice to a character in the animated film Gnomeo & Juliet.

Annette Crosbie (Actor) .. Margaret Meldrew

Born: February 12, 1934 in Gorebridge, near Edinburgh

Best Known For: Playing Victor Meldrew's wife in One Foot in the Grave.

Early-life: Born on February 12, 1934, in Gorebridge, outside Edinburgh. Her parents were strict Calvinists and did not believe in lavishing affection on their only child. She had little self-confidence and as a youngster her only friend was a Staffordshire bull terrier called Dougal. Her mother was a talented musician and wanted Crosbie to be a music teacher, but she became an actress against both her parents' wishes. "You'd have thought I'd announced I wanted to go on the streets," she remarks about their reaction to her career choice.

Career: After gaining experience with various repertory companies, Crosbie left Scotland at the age of 17 for a scholarship at the Bristol Old Vic theatre school. On graduating, she worked in London's West End. Her film debut came in 1959's The Bridal Path. She later had acclaimed TV roles in The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Edward the King. More recently she has starred in One Foot in the Grave, Doctor Finlay, An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, Calendar Girls, Quite Ugly One Morning, New Tricks, Doctor Who and Little Dorrit.

Quote: "You don't really want to know about me. My dogs are far more interesting."

Trivia: Crosbie was awarded an OBE in 1998 and works tirelessly for animal rights.

Tony Millan (Actor) .. Jack Aylesbury

Jan Ravens (Actor) .. Pat Aylesbury

Richard Davies (Actor) .. Billy

Diana Coupland (Actor) .. Meg

Jonathan Kydd (Actor) .. Chippie Joe

James Hickish (Actor) .. Detective Gannish

Nick Ball (Actor) .. Detective Diller

Susan Belbin (Producer)

David Renwick (Writer)

One Foot in the Grave: Monday Morning Will Be Fine

6:25 pm - 7:00 pm, Today on U&Drama +1 (60)

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Monday Morning Will Be Fine
Season 3, Episode 1

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