Familiar British character actor who after laboring for over twenty years in minor roles in many films and TV programmes achieved his greatest fame playing Sam Pearson in the Yorkshire-based soap opera 'Emmerdale Farm',a role he played for over 10 years until his death.
Reputedly lived a very spartan and solitary life, residing at a hotel in Leeds. Owned neither car nor television, but enjoyed playing the flute.
After finishing high school, he earned an income as a factory clerk, while acting part-time. Turned professional in the mid-1940's, as member of the Birmingham repertory.
His father was a parson and was against him going on the stage but he finally defiide his parents in 1945 and joined the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.