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Colin Bennett (actor)

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Colin Jack Bennett (25 February 1944 – 23 February 2024) was an English actor. His television roles have included "Mr Bennett", the accident prone caretaker for Tony Hart in the BBC children's programmes Take Hart (1977–1983) and Hartbeat (1984–1989). He also portrayed the father in the 1985 Yellow Pages/Hornby advert Signal Box - although only in a later edit in which he thanked the son for his present.

Among other television duties, he presented Night Shift and You Should Be So Lucky, as well as appearing in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as Zarquon. He also made a guest appearance in Last of the Summer Wine in 1999. He wrote a couple of TV series including Captain Zep - Space Detective and Luna before moving into the production field. He has a background in acting in and directing plays notably in 1978 appearing in, and directing, a musical version of The Point! alongside Davy Jones and Mickey Dolenz.[1] Bennett later worked with Dolenz on Luna.[2]

In 1987, Bennett's play, Hancock's Finest Hour about Tony Hancock (with Jim McManus in the starring role) was staged at the Boulevard Theatre in London.[3][4][5] The play was revived in 2008 with Paul Henry in the title role.[6]

Biography

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Bennett graduated RADA in 1973[7] where he was named most promising actor of the year.[8] Bennett ran a production company, An Acquired Taste TV Corp, and broadcast for television for about 17 years. He retired from acting in 2002, reportedly suffering from ill health,[9] but later resumed acting.

In March 2024, Bennett’s son Tom Bennett announced on X that his father had died two weeks previously, on 23 February.[10][11]

References

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  1. ^ Hepple, Peter (5 January 1978). "Mermaid - The Point". The Stage. No. 5047. p. 9. Retrieved 28 April 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  2. ^ West, Roy (22 January 1983). "Luna is set to take off". Liverpool Echo. No. 31966. p. 2. Retrieved 28 April 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "Lad's Finest Role". Hayes & Harlington Gazette. 8 January 1987. p. 26. Retrieved 28 April 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ Werson, Gerard (5 February 1987). "Boulevard - Hancock's Finest Hour". The Stage. No. 5521. p. 12. Retrieved 28 April 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "Colin Leads a Prolific Double Life". Sandwell Evening Mail. 27 February 1987. p. 17. Retrieved 28 April 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ Griffin, Jon (7 March 2008). "Paul Henry to play Tony Hancock for Birmingham's Maverick Theatre". birminghammail. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Colin Bennett — RADA". www.rada.ac.uk. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  8. ^ Zola, Bela (11 April 1973). "Jumping for Joy". Daily Mirror. No. 21535. p. 5. Retrieved 28 April 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ^ Wallis, Sarah; Smith, Rory (28 May 2007). "100 children's TV stars .. where are they now?". The Daily Mirror. p. 24 – via Proquest.
  10. ^ Bennett, Tom (8 March 2024). "My Dad (Mr Bennett) sadly passed away 2 weeks ago today. He had two sons Tom and Adam. Was married to Lesley beloved wife". X. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  11. ^ "BBC star Colin Bennett dies as EastEnders star son Tom Bennett shares emotional tribute". The Mirror. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
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