The women of the show were just as iconic. Kathy Staff, who played the terrifying, rolling-pin-wielding Nora Batty, died in 2008. She had wrinkles you could lose a sherbet lemon in, and we adored her for it. Her stockings were a national treasure.
Then there was Thora Hird, the national treasure who played Edie, the sharp-tongued wife of Foggy. Dame Thora passed in 2003, but she left us with a legacy of divine comedy. She could make a tea towel seem hilarious.
Jane Freeman, the no-nonsense cafe waitress Ivy, died in 2017. She had a stare that could curdle milk from three tables away. And Jean Alexander, who played Auntie Wainwright, the queen of junk shop scams, passed in 2016. She made selling a rusty bucket feel like a high-stakes heist.
The Crafty Culprits and Blunder Boys
Let’s not forget the mischief-makers. Michael Bates, the original Blamire, who left the show early due to illness and died in 1978. He was the first man to lead the trio, barking military orders at a geriatric pace.
Tommy Cannon (of Cannon and Ball fame) played a few roles, but his most famous was as the clueless snooker player. He’s actually still alive at the time of writing, but we’ll keep him on the “alive and kicking” list for now. Panic over.
25 Cast Members from ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ Have Passed Away – Time
Actor Tony Melody, who played various grumpy bystanders, died in 2008. And Bruce Alexander, who played the long-suffering policeman, left us? No, wait—he’s still acting! See, this is why writing this article is like trying to keep track of who’s buying the next round in a pub.
