Many TV viewers here in Thurles will be saddened to learn the news of the death of the very great character actor Geoffrey Hughes, who died peacefully in his sleep on Friday night last, aged just 68. It is understood his death came following a two year courageous battle with prostate cancer.
Merseyside born, Geoffrey lived on the Isle of Wight and in 2009, was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the island, which made him the official link between the Isle of Wight and Royalty, for all formal engagements.
Hughes had considerable acting achievements over his earlier career, and these included film credits in “Till Death Us Do Part,” (1969), “The Bofors Gun,” (1969) and “Carry On at Your Convenience, (1971). Hughes was also the voice of Paul McCartney in The Beatles’ cartoon film “Yellow Submarine,” (1968) and appeared in the musical “Maggie May,” as well as TV favourites “Doctor Who,” “Casualty,” “Boon,” and “The Upper Hand.”
Thurles people however will remember him best in recent years, playing wheeler dealer Vernon Scripps, in “Hearbeat,” Twiggy, in “The Royle Family,” Hyacinth Bucket’s lazy brother-in-law, Onslow, in “Keeping Up Appearances,” and of course his best remembered role as Binman Eddie Yeats in the ITV soap “Coronation Street,” from 1974 to 1983 returning for a final appearance in November 1987.
Geoffrey is survived by his wife Susan.
Thank you for the laughter. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.
A great character. I watched him for years. May he rest in peace.