Geoffrey Hughes

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Geoffrey Hughes - Onslow

Geoffrey Hughes played the part of the lazy brother-in-law of Hyacinth - 'Onslow'.

Geoffrey Hughes (born 2 February 1944) is an English actor.

As well as a wide range of TV and film appearances Hughes is best known for a series of supporting roles in popular UK television dramas. He played Vernon Scripps in the British drama series Heartbeat (2001-2004, 2007); Twiggy in the popular television comedy The Royle Family (1998-2000, 2006, 2008); Onslow in the sitcom Keeping Up Appearances (1990-1995) and Eddie Yeats in the soap opera Coronation Street (1974-1983).

Career

Hughes attended Ranworth Square Primary School, Liverpool 11 he then moved onto attending Abbotsford Secondary Modern School in Norris Green, Liverpool 11 he started his career in repertory at Victoria Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent. This was followed by his first West End production, the Lionel Bart and Alun Owen musical, Maggie May. His other West End productions include the stage version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Say Goodnight to Grandma; The Secret Life of Cartoons; and several seasons of Run for your Wife. He has recently played 'Pistol' in an open air production of Henry V at Barnwell Manor. He has also toured extensively in Britain and abroad.

Among his many other appearances on television are: An Arrow for Little Audrey; The Saint; Shadows of Fear; Z-Cars; Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased); Flying Lady; Making Out; Coasting; Doctor Who; Spender; and Boon. He played 'Trinculo' in an all filmed version of The Tempest for the BBC and 'Squire Clodpoll' in Good Friday 1663, one of Channel Four's new avant-garde operas. His comedy appearances on TV include, The Likely Lads, Please Sir, Dad's Army, Curry and Chips The Upper Hand and Keeping Up Appearances.

Geoffrey's film credits include Smashing Time; Till Death Us Do Part; The Bofors Gun; The Virgin Soldiers; Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall; Carry On At Your Convenience; and TV films: Needle and The Man from the Peru. He was also the voice of Paul McCartney in the Beatles' cartoon film Yellow Submarine.

In 1974 he was cast as binman Eddie Yeats in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street. Over the next nine years he became, with Stan Ogden (Bernard Youens), a foil to Stan's long-suffering wife Hilda (Jean Alexander). Many fans still regard these performances as a high point of the series. He finally left in 1983, although briefly returned in 1987 as part of Hilda's own departure from the series.

Hughes considerable acting experience before Coronation Street and popularity whilst in it meant that he never suffered from the lack of work which often bedevils actors departing long-running series.

Hughes usually appears in pantomime over the Christmas period. He appeared on That Antony Cotton Show on 6 September 2007, in which he spoke about his role in a short film called Expresso, which also starred Sir Norman Wisdom. Hughes played the part of a man who visits a coffee shop for a "normal" coffee but is served by a pompous waiter. The film was sold in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

In 2007 he performed the Angel Gabriel, in the BBC production "Liverpool Nativity". In 2008, he appeared in the second episode of series three of the E4 drama series Skins.

At Christmas 2008, he returned to play Twiggy in The Royle Family's Christmas Special titled 'The New Sofa'.

In 2009, he played Frank in Tim Firth's Absolutely Frank at Oldham's Coliseum Theatre.

Personal life
His off-stage interests are sailing, golf, cricket, music, trees, and beer. Born south of the city proper, he was brought up in Liverpool. In more recent years, he overcame prostate cancer. He currently resides on the Isle Of Wight. In 2011 he had another attack of cancer but from what we last heard from him, it sounded that he was getting better!

Geoff Hughes is also Honorary Squire of Dartington Morris Men and made a much-valued appearance at the Dartington Morris Ring meeting in September 2008. Fan of folk music and has appeared and compered at Fairport Conventions Cropredy music festival.

Television
1969 - Curry & Chips - Dick
1974 to 1983 - Coronation Street - Eddie Yeats
1985 - The Bright Side - Mr. Lithgow
1986 - Doctor Who - The Trial of a Time Lord, parts 13 & 14 - Mr. Popplewick
1990 to 1995 - Keeping Up Appearances - Onslow
1993 - I, Lovett - Dirk
1995 - The Smiths - Dooley
1998 to 2000, 2006 & 2008 - The Royle Family - Twiggy
2001 to 2005 - Heartbeat - Vernon Scripps
2007 - Heartbeat - Vernon Scripps
2007 - Skins - Bandy
2009 - Skins - Uncle Keith

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