Derek Benfield
Birth nameDerek Benfield
Birth date11 March 1926
Birth placeBradford, England
Death date10 March 2009 (aged 82)
Death placeEsher, England
OccupationPlaywright and Actor
Years active1948–2005
SpouseSusan Lyall Grant (m. 1957)

Derek Benfield (11 March 1926 – 10 March 2009) was a British playwright and actor.

He was born in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, and educated at Bingley Grammar School. He was the author of the stage farce Running Riot and played Patricia Routledge's character's husband in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996–1998).

Arguably, Benfield's best known character portrayal was as transport company foreman Bill Riley in the UK television series The Brothers in the early 1970s. Before this, he starred as Frank Skinner in the 1970 cult sci-fi series broadcast on UK ITV, Timeslip. Some of his other television roles included Walter Greenhalgh in Coronation Street (1961–1969), Albert the Clerk in Rumpole of the Bailey (1978–80), and characters in Breakaway (1980) and First of the Summer Wine (1988).

His film credits include small roles in Crossplot (1969), I Don't Want to Be Born (1975) and Lifeforce (1985). His plays included the farces Post Horn Gallop and Wild Goose Chase, both about the fictional exploits of the eccentric Lord and Lady Elrood and visitors to their castle.

He also appeared with Colin Baker as John Hallam in the Doctor Who audio play Catch-1782 produced by Big Finish Productions.

Plays

  • The Young in Heart, 1953[1]
  • The Way the Wind Blows, 1954[1]
  • Champagne for Breakfast, 1954[1]
  • Wild Goose Chase, 1955
  • Running Riot, 1958
  • Out of Thin Air, 1961[1]
  • Fish out of Water, 1963
  • Down to Brass Tacks, 1964
  • Third Party Risk, 1964
  • The Party, 1964
  • Post Horn Gallop, 1965
  • Murder for the Asking, 1967
  • Off the Hook, 1970
  • A Bird in the Hand, 1973[1]
  • Panic Stations, 1975
  • Caught on the Hop, 1979[1]
  • Beyond a Joke, 1980[1]
  • In for the Kill, 1981
  • Look Who's Talking, 1984[1]
  • Touch and Go, 1984[1]
  • Flying Feathers, 1987[2]
  • Bedside Manners, 1990[1]
  • Toe in the Water, 1991[1]
  • Don't Lose the Place, 1992[3]
  • Anyone for Breakfast?, 1994[4]
  • Up and Running, 1995[1]
  • A Fly in the Ointment, 1996[5]
  • Two and Two Together, 1999[1]
  • Second Time Around, 2000?[1][6]
  • Funny Business, 2005[1]
  • In at the Deep End, 2005[1]
  • Over My Dead Body, 2005?[1][7]
  • First Things First, 2007[1]

Personal life

Benfield was married to actress Susan Lyle Grant from 1953 until his death in 2009. Together, they had two children, Jamie Benfield and Kate Plantin. He also had two grandchildren.[8]

Death

Benfield died of stomach cancer on 10 March 2009 at the age of 82, on the day before his 83rd birthday.[9][10][11]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1959Room at the TopMan in BarUncredited
1962A Matter of ConscienceGerasimovichTV film
1964House of GlassSapper MaggsTV film
1965Jury Room[12]Unknown
1969Mosquito SquadronAirman ValetUncredited
CrossplotMan in cafe
1975I Don't Want to Be BornPolice Inspector
Safety – Everyone's Business[12]Unknown
Safety in Shipbuilding[12]
1977The Bia Safety Set: Safety – Hearing[12]
The Bia Safety Set: Safety – Seeing[12]
The Bia Safety Set: Safety – Dermatits[12]
Safety Hearing[12]
1978Charlie and Julie[12]Uncle Charlie
1979One Last Shock[12]Unknown
The KnowledgeFootball DriverTV film
1980The Boy Who Never WasInspectorTV film
Any Fool Can Do It?[12]Unknown
AA – The Sign for Service[12]
1982RemembranceVincent's Father
1984Arthur's Hallowed GroundEricTV film
Slimming Down[12]Grandad
1985LifeforcePhysician
1986FMI: Service Reception Service[12]Unknown
1987The GirlJanitor
Our GeoffRonnieTV film
1995Missing Persons[12]Unknown

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1955Return to the Lost PlanetProfessor Bergman3 episodes
1958The LarkinsMr. Burlington ThrushEpisode: "Angry Young Man"
1959Third BarristerEpisode: "Haul for One"
Great ExpectationsLandlord1 episode
1960SuspensePrison DoctorEpisode: "Decision at Nine"
ITV Sunday Night DramaGravesEpisode: "The Devil Makes Sunday"
Probation OfficerGeorge Cooper1 episode
1961Three Live WiresHiggenbottomAll 26 episodes
MaigretEmileEpisode: "Death of a Butcher"
1962Harpers West OneCedric Gilbert1 episode
Winning WidowsEpisode: "The Supermarket"
Faces of JimEpisode: "The Face of Tradition"
ITV Play of the WeekChancellor of the ExchequerEpisode: "The Apple Cart"
1963Dr. KusmichEpisode: "War and Peace"
Z-CarsMr. HealeyEpisode: "It Never Rains..."
CraneOsmanEpisode: "The Cannabis Syndicate"
Drama 61-67Taxi DriverEpisode: "The Taxi's for Johnnie"
The VictoriansTubbsEpisode: "The Silver King"
Marriage LinesHaroldEpisode: "The Threshold"
ITV PlayhouseBarrettEpisode: "They Don't Make Summers Like They Used To"
Sergeant CorkMr. SpillerEpisode: "The Case of the Fenian Men"
Coronation StreetJim Baker3 episodes
1964Dixon of Dock GreenMr. StevensEpisode: "All Sorts to Make a World"
Z-CarsMr. BrookeEpisode: "Whistle and Come Home"
McKinleyEpisode: "Finders Keepers"
DetectiveDr. HammEpisode: "The Drawing"
The VillainsHarryEpisode: "Contraband"
Happily Ever After1 episode
The ProtectorsBettsEpisode: "Who Killed Lazoryck?"
Catch HandBaxterEpisode: "It's Only Bricks and Mortar"
R3Tom Collis3 episodes
No Hiding PlaceHenry MercerEpisode: "Scaremonger"
1965PrescottEpisode: "Music for Murder"
Story ParadeMr. LakerEpisode: "The Make-Believe Man"
CluffJosh TupmanEpisode: "The Brothers"
Riviera PoliceVoisinEpisode: "That Kind of Girl"
Jury RoomMr. BlakistonEpisode: "Traitor"
Theatre 625Sergeant ByromEpisode: "The Siege of Manchester"
The Mask of JanusAndrew Parsons3 episodes
1966Dixon of Dock GreenMr. DelaneyEpisode: "The Heister"
PublicanEpisode: "Street of Fear"
The BaronThe ScientistEpisode: "The Persuaders"
The Likely LadsCloakroom attendantEpisode: "Brief Encounter"
Public EyeCarterEpisode: "I Could Set It to Music"
The TroubleshootersSloanEpisode: "Four Cheers for Geoffrey"
BlackmailCullyEpisode: "The Haunting of Aubrey Hopkiss"
VendettaPolice SergeantEpisode: "The Ice-Cream Man"
1967Z-CarsMr. BlackerEpisode: "The Great Fur Robbery"
Dixon of Dock GreenJack BowdenEpisode: "The Step-Brother"
The NewcomersMr. Hutchinson3 episodes
The GamblersFiremanEpisode: "The Man Beneath"
Coronation StreetWalter GreenhalghRecurring role
Softly, SoftlyPalmerEpisode: "The Same the Whole World Over"
1968MoxhamEpisode: "In Bulk"
Z-CarsTimmy CaterEpisode: "Special Relationship"
The Revenue MenFenderEpisode: "Sentimental Value"
The First LadyMowbrayEpisode: "Cleverclogs"
Champion HouseGerald DobsonEpisode: "Breakout"
The ExpertHarry MurdochEpisode: "Full Choke"
The Root of All Evil?Peter WhittakerEpisode: "You Can Only Buy Once"
1969Dixon of Dock GreenHarry FisherEpisode: "The Jelly Man"
Plays of TodayPurdonEpisode: "Men of Iron"
HadleighSergeant MoggsEpisode: "Safety of the Realm"
Paul TempleVictor BurgessEpisode: "Message from a Dead Man"
Out of the UnknownTom ClarkeEpisode: "Immortality Inc"
1970Oh, Brother!Episode: "The Laughter of a Fool"
Z-CarsDicky GreenEpisode: "Cruising for Burglars"
The BorderersHerdsmanEpisode: "Hostage"
1970–1971TimeslipFrank SkinnerSeries regular
1971Z-CarsThurleyEpisode: "Dan Dan..."
Dixon of Dock GreenQuilterEpisode: "Flashpoint"
Out of the UnknownDr. Liam MooreEpisode: "Welcome Home"
Thirty-Minute TheatreBradfordEpisode: "Jenkins"
DoomwatchArnold PayneEpisode: "Public Enemy"
1972Dr. RidleyEpisode: "Flood"
Z-CarsByrneEpisode: "Sweet Girl"
Man at the TopMr. CunliffeEpisode: "All Very Hush, Hush"
The Long ChaseFisherman3 episodes
1972–1976The BrothersBill RileySeries regular, 89 episodes
1973The Flaxton BoysSergeant Brophy3 episodes
Armchair TheatreCyrilEpisode: "The Death of Glory"
1975Late CallVoice #2Mini-series
Dixon of Dock GreenSkinnerEpisode: "Chain of Events"
1976Hunter's WalkBert BrownEpisode: "Say Nothing"
1978Armchair ThrillerMr. CooperEpisode: "The Girl Who Walked Quickly"
Z-CarsDetective Superintendent RamsdenEpisode: "Departures"
1978–1980Rumpole of the BaileyAlbert HandysideRecurring role, 4 episodes
1979ThundercloudBeattieEpisode: "Carry on Number One"
1980BreakawayLeo Corby3 episodes
MinderBrownEpisode: "A Lot of Bull and a Pat on the Back"
In Loving MemoryAlfred PardoeEpisode: "The Outing"
1981Hi-de-Hi!Rose's DadEpisode: "Desire in the Mickey Mouse Grotto"
Crown CourtAlfred WarringtonEpisode: "Leonora"
Wilfred and EileenMr. Clough1 episode
1982A Kind of LovingFranklyn3 episodes
Shine on Harvey MoonChairman2 episodes
Yes MinisterAston Wanderers Board MemberEpisode: "The Middle-Class Rip-Off"
1983Hallelujah!Arthur WaltonEpisode: "Poor Box"
1984Andrew GibsonEpisode: "Rock Bottom"
Hammer House of Mystery and SuspenseUndertakerEpisode: "The Late Nancy Irving"
The Gentle TouchMr. DevisEpisode: "Wise Child"
Remington SteeleHector TolouseEpisode: "Maltese Steele"
Juliet BravoMr. DarcyEpisode: "Workforce"
1984–1985The New StatesmanMr. Walmsley2 episodes
1985Travellers by NightMan in the forestMini-series
1986CasualtyMr. DaviesEpisode: "Crazies"
1987Worlds BeyondDr. MeredithEpisode: "The Black Thumb"
Intimate ContactEdgar3 episodes
1988Gentlemen and PlayersHarry GriffenEpisode: "One for Sorrow, Two for Joy"
Help!Mr. KinnellEpisode: "We Are Sailing"
1988–1989First of the Summer WineMr. ScrimshawSeries regular, 13 episodes
1989Only Fools and HorsesRegistrarEpisode: "Little Problems"
That's LoveBrian1 episode
1990Agatha Christie's PoirotDr. AdamsEpisode: "The Cornish Mystery"
Making NewsPhilip BaxterEpisode: "Conspiracy"
CasualtyEric HogarthEpisode: "Street Life"
1992LovejoyDonEpisode: "Angel Trousers"
The Brittas EmpireMr. FranklinEpisode: "New Generations"
Screen OneMan on BusEpisode: "Trust Me"
1993MulberryAlfEpisode: "A Musical Evening"
1994The Inspector Alleyn MysteriesAlfred BeltEpisode: "Hand in Glove"
Men of the WorldMr. BuxtonEpisode: "Lost in France"
1996Peak PracticeFred HargraveEpisode: "Whipping Boy"
1996–1998Hetty Wainthropp InvestigatesRobert WainthroppSeries regular, 23 episodes
1997FrightenersJack HammondEpisode: "Rose Cottage"
2001Hearts and BonesMike Piper1 episode
2005Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures[12]John Hallam (voice)

References

  1. ^ "Derek Benfield". www.doollee.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  2. ^ "Taunton Thespians Present Derek Benfield's Laugh Out Loud Comedy "Flying Feathers" - Taunton - 2023". 2023-02-28. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  3. ^ "Don't Lose the Place!". Stageplays.com. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  4. ^ Books, Better World. "Anyone for Breakfast? book by Derek Benfield: 9780573017155". Better World Books. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  5. ^ "Thame Players' Ointment is the Best Prescription for Laughter! |". Thame Hub. 2021-08-24. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  6. ^ Benfield, Derek (2000). Second Time Around: A Comedy. Samuel French. ISBN 9780573018879.
  7. ^ Books, Better World. "Over My Dead Body : A Comedy book by Derek Benfield: 9780573115998". Better World Books. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  8. ^ "Derek Benfield". theguardian.com
  9. ^ "BENFIELD - Deaths Announcements - Telegraph Announcements". Announcements.telegraph.co.uk. 10 March 2009. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  10. ^ "Obituary: Derek Benfield". The Guardian. 1 April 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Derek Benfield". The Herald. 9 April 2009.
  12. ^ "Collections Search - Derek Benfield". 23 October 2020.