Very sad to hear Stephen "Blakey" Lewis has passed away.
Began watching On The Buses about 5 years ago when I noticed it on ITV3. Enjoyed it far more than I expected to do. It was always remarkable to me that Stan, Reg Varney looked so young for his age and was a decade older than Blakey when infact Blakey looked about 20 years older than Stan. I do think they deliberately aged Stephen Lewis just a touch though.
Tonight I'm reminded of the edition called Bye Bye Blakey when they all mistakenly think Blakey has a terminal illness and not long to live and start treating him far more respectfully until finding out he's fine.
Sad news indeed, like others I did think he'd passed on a while ago.
Because he was typecast in a role much older than his actual age while Varney and Grant were chasing 'clippies' about half their age. Whenever I wait half an hour for a bus which was due ten minutes ago I think Blakey was actually the hero and should have got those two d*ckheads sacked.
Blakey, along with Arthur (Michael Robbins), had some of the best lines in the series - and in the three spin-off films.
In the first On The Buses film, Stan is ordered to take a skidpan test by the insurance company after demolishing a telephone box and bus shelter at a terminus. As a London Transport Routemaster enters the Chiswick skidpan, where the test is being undertaken, Stan remarks "See them London Transport buses... they're better than ours."
Blakey replies "Yeah - and so are their drivers!"
Thank you Mr Lewis for such a memorable creation, and RIP.
Comments
Go get Butler!
: (
RIP
I hate you Butler!
Absolute legend, condolences to all family and friends.
Began watching On The Buses about 5 years ago when I noticed it on ITV3. Enjoyed it far more than I expected to do. It was always remarkable to me that Stan, Reg Varney looked so young for his age and was a decade older than Blakey when infact Blakey looked about 20 years older than Stan. I do think they deliberately aged Stephen Lewis just a touch though.
Tonight I'm reminded of the edition called Bye Bye Blakey when they all mistakenly think Blakey has a terminal illness and not long to live and start treating him far more respectfully until finding out he's fine.
Here is that edition from March 1972;
https://youtu.be/tlnUWcfve1c
I have all the series and films and they still make me laugh.:D
And also remember the comedy "Don't drink the water" and Smiler in " Last of the summer wine"
Because he was typecast in a role much older than his actual age while Varney and Grant were chasing 'clippies' about half their age. Whenever I wait half an hour for a bus which was due ten minutes ago I think Blakey was actually the hero and should have got those two d*ckheads sacked.
In the first On The Buses film, Stan is ordered to take a skidpan test by the insurance company after demolishing a telephone box and bus shelter at a terminus. As a London Transport Routemaster enters the Chiswick skidpan, where the test is being undertaken, Stan remarks "See them London Transport buses... they're better than ours."
Blakey replies "Yeah - and so are their drivers!"
Thank you Mr Lewis for such a memorable creation, and RIP.
So that just leaves Anna Karen (Olive). Similar to how Barbara Windsor is the last of the main Carry On stars.
Jim Dale may take issue with that.