One Foot in the Grave: Things Aren't Simple Any More
9:30 pm - 10:25 pm, Saturday, December 27 on U&Yesterday (27)
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About this Broadcast
Things Aren't Simple Any More
Season 6, Episode 6
After years of frustrated anger and railing against the system, Victor Meldrew breathes his last 'I don't believe it' after falling victim to a hit-and-run driver. At first, it seems as if the shock of his death will take a long time to settle for long-suffering Margaret
subtitles
16x9
Movie/Drama
Sitcom
Cast & Crew
Richard Wilson
(Actor)
.. Victor Meldrew
Annette Crosbie
(Actor)
.. Margaret Meldrew
Hannah Gordon
(Actor)
.. Glynis
Jonathan Cecil
(Actor)
.. Mr Gundry
Joanna Scanlan
(Actor)
.. Gillian
William Osborne
(Actor)
.. Father Blakey
Jeanne Mockford
(Actor)
.. Catholic woman
Howard Attfield
(Actor)
.. Blind man
Paul Merton
(Actor)
.. Barman
Christine Gernon
(Director)
David Renwick
(Writer)
More Information
Did You Know..
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.
Hannah Gordon
(Actor)
.. Glynis
Jonathan Cecil
(Actor)
.. Mr Gundry
Joanna Scanlan
(Actor)
.. Gillian
William Osborne
(Actor)
.. Father Blakey
Jeanne Mockford
(Actor)
.. Catholic woman
Howard Attfield
(Actor)
.. Blind man
Paul Merton
(Actor)
.. Barman
Born:
January 17, 1957
in
London
Best Known For:
Have I Got News For You.
Early-life:
Born Paul James Martin in Parsons Green, London, on January 17, 1957. He grew up in Merton, South London, and took his stage name from the district because somebody else called Paul Martin was registered with Equity when he tried to join. His father was a guard on the Underground in Fulham, his mother was a nurse and he has a sister, Angela. Paul was inspired to become a comedian at the age of three following a trip to the circus. After failing his 11-plus he went to a Catholic comprehensive school where he gained two A-levels but decided against going to university.
Career:
Merton worked at the Tooting Employment Office while gaining experience at the London Comedy Store before moving onto the cabaret circuit. He made his TV debut in a small role in a 1984 episode of The Young Ones. After 10 years of performing, his TV career took off thanks to Whose Line Is It Anyway? He then wrote Paul Merton, the Series for Channel 4. Have I Got News For You made him a household name. He claims a highlight of his career was performing at the London Palladium. Merton also hosted Room 101 and is a regular on TV and radio. He has filmed travelogues to China and India for Channel 5 and presented various documentaries on the subject of comedy and silent film for the BBC.
Quote:
"I don't suffer from pre-show terror or anything like that. I assume if people have paid money to see me they already think I'm funny and that does give you confidence."
Trivia:
In 2014, he published his autobiography, Only When I Laugh.
Christine Gernon
(Director)
David Renwick
(Writer)
