With his battered features, wicked leer and possibly the most recognisable laugh in show business, Sid James appeared to the world as a streetwise Cockney ex-heavyweight boxer. But Sid was no more an East End boy than he was a fighter.
Critic, journalist, broadcaster, writer and raconteur - Clive James achieved mainstream success in the UK with a series of shows that highlighted his acerbic wit and self deprecating sense of humour
Lionel Jeffries was an actor whose career spanned over five decades, took in over 150 films and left an indelible mark on British cinema. His extensive body of work showcased his versatility and talent, endearing him to audiences across generations
Remembering Ken Jones, one of our favourite character actors, who appeared in a combination of over a hundred TV shows and films during a hugely successful career
One of the most influential television producers of a generation, Philip Jones presided over a galaxy of stars. He brought Benny Hill to ITV, provided Kenny Everett his own hit series and gave The Beatles their first national television exposure.
An influential figure in the world of British television comedy during the 1960s and 70s, actor and comedian John Junkin wrote scripts for numerous TV shows and for many comedians, including Ted Ray, Jim Davidson, Bob Monkhouse and Mike Yarwood.
They say that from small acorns mighty oaks grow, and if the old phrase can be applied to television stardom then we need look no further than much-loved comic actor Gorden Kaye for supporting evidence.
One of the most recognisable voices and faces of Irish stage and screen, David Kelly was loved and respected by his co-stars and the public alike.
A familiar face on TV and Films in the 1960s and 1970s, Dermot Kelly was a versatile and charismatic actor who brought laughter and joy to many audiences with his comic roles
He may not have been a household name in the way that some of his fellow actors were, but to those who knew Sam Kelly, he was a true gem of British television. Television Heaven pays tribute to one of Britain's favourite character actors
Australian Bill Kerr carved himself an enduring place among an elite generation of comedians who changed the face of British comedy after the Second World War.
Roy Kinnear's remarkable career ensured that he remained at the top of his profession for nearly 30 years, earning him a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim
One of Britain's favourite character actors, Ronald Lacey carved a niche in film and television with a face that defied convention and a talent that transcended typecasting. A Master of the Macabre and the Memorable
Described as a "total one-off - a magnificently, madly, inspirationally talented drama producer," Verity Lambert made the television drama genre utterly her own. Her career spanned the eras, from the first episode of Doctor Who through to Jonathan Creek and beyond, her shows were enduring and her talent unique
One critic once wrote when reviewing Geoffrey Lancashire's work, "If Geoffrey Lancashire didn't exist, he would have to have been invented."
As one of the most prolific television producers of all time, Glen A. Larson created more top-rated audience pleasers than any other showrunner. The critics hated his shows and other detractors claimed none of them were his original work
With a career spanning over five decades, Dilys Laye graced the West End, Broadway, and screen, starring in iconic productions like the "Carry On" films. Her talent extended to Shakespearean plays, musicals, and television
"I’m as good as Judi Dench, I’m sure I am." Television Heaven pays tribute to an actress who left behind a remarkable body of work
Hugh Lloyd found fame in 'Hancock's Half Hour' and his was a perenially popular face in television sitcoms throughout the 1960s and 1970s. In this article, Television Heaven pays tribute to an actor who charmed Britain for over half a century
One of British sitcom's most iconic characters, Lloyd-Pack also played important roles at the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. He described Trigger in Only Fools and Horses as both a blessing and a curse, before cementing his status as a national treasure in The Vicar of Dibley
He was a constant on our screens throughout the 1960s and 1970s, appearing with comedy legends like Sellers and Milligan, who were among his closest friends. Here we remember one of Britain’s unsung heroes of television and film...
In a career spanning more than 65 years, Herbert Lom played an extraordinarily wide range of characters on both the big and small screen
Arthur Lowe could get more laughs by the raise of an eyebrow or a subtle hand movement than most actors could get out of whole sentences. However, in private Lowe was not filled with the laughs he so easily gave to others.
A name synonymous with the authoritarian yet comically rigid prison officer in Porridge, Fulton Mackay won his way into the hearts of the British public by balancing his exceptional humour with a commanding presence, earning him a place in the pantheon of great character actors
The British born writer and presenter whose brief TV career in the 1950s was a prelude to her coming out - becoming a trailblazing gay rights activist and making her a role model to thousands
One of the most distinctive and eloquent faces in British cinema, Victor Maddern epitomised the post-war British film industry. Television Heaven looks back, with the help of his daughter, Julie White, on a prolific career that also took in a huge variety of television and stage.
Over a career that spanned more than five decades, Philip Madoc, one of the most distinctive figures on the stage and screen, was remembered as much for his rich voice and commanding presence as for the complex, often compelling characters he brought to life
One of the most prolific American TV producers of the 1960s and 70s, for many viewers, the words "A Quinn Martin Production" became a stamp of quality—and a promise that you were in for an hour of solid, satisfying television
One of the best known faces on television in the 1960s and constantly in the spotlight, and yet Patrick McGoohan managed to keep his private life out of public view.
Spike Milligan wrote The Goon Show and then died on 27th February 2002. In between he created modern comedy and defined the term comic genius.