Post by RitaLittlewood on Sept 7, 2007 11:07:42 GMT
From BBC Online:
Last Updated: Friday, 7 September 2007, 10:44 GMT 11:44 UK
Emmerdale's Amos actor dies at 87
Former Emmerdale star Ronald Magill, who played Amos Brearly, has died at the age of 87, his long-time friend Bernard Palmer has confirmed.
Magill joined the ITV1 soap when it began in 1972 as Emmerdale Farm, and appeared in the role for 19 years.
His character was renowned for running the Woolpack pub with Henry Wilks, and for his distinctive bushy sideburns.
The actor, who began his career on the stage, had a number of small TV parts before landing the role of Amos.
The larger-than-life landlord was a mainstay of the soap - along with Wilks and Annie Sugden - until his departure in 1991.
However, he returned to the soap for brief appearances later that decade, including his marriage to Annie in 1995.
Mr Palmer, 58, who was friends with Magill for more than 15 years, said the actor "loved" working on Emmerdale.
"They were very much a family, and he enjoyed it very, very much indeed," he told the BBC News website.
"Professionally, he was word-perfect, and I think that went back to his repertory days when he had a lot of lines to learn."
Mr Palmer said that off-screen, Magill was "very much a dapper gentleman".
"No matter where he was, he always had time for fans. If they came over to him, he would put his knife and fork down or whatever, and speak to them.
"It was the character of Amos that people loved, but I think it was an integration of the character and him," he said.
"He gave it his soul. Amos wasn't just a character. You always felt like you knew him."
Emmerdale's executive producer, Keith Richardson, said everyone on the programme was "deeply saddened" at his death.
"His endearing performances secured Amos Brearly a place as one of the best-loved characters in Emmerdale's history," he said.
Theatrical background
Magill was born in Hull in April 1920, but was raised in Birmingham.
He started his career on the stage, and was artistic director of the Nottingham Playhouse in the 1960s.
He also had a small part in the 1970 film Julius Caesar, with Charlton Heston and Sir John Gielgud.
Magill made his debut as Amos Brearly in the first episode of Emmerdale, transmitted in October 1972, and left the regular cast in January 1991. His final appearance was on 7 July 1995.
Steven Murphy, editor of Inside Soap magazine, said Magill would be fondly remembered by Emmerdale fans.
"I watched it from a very young age and just remember him being one of the archetypal characters of the time, and there have not been many like him since," he said.
"The sideburns really stood out for me, and I think that goes for everyone. If you say his name, people still remember his sideburns and 'Nay, Mr Wilks' catchphrase."
He went on: "It was a much tamer time in the Woolpack in those days - there was none of the sex and sin we see these days, but there were still strong, dramatic storylines.
"I think his legacy lives on in characters like Betty and Edna, strong, older Yorkshire characters that you can have a bit of fun with too."
Last Updated: Friday, 7 September 2007, 10:44 GMT 11:44 UK
Emmerdale's Amos actor dies at 87
Former Emmerdale star Ronald Magill, who played Amos Brearly, has died at the age of 87, his long-time friend Bernard Palmer has confirmed.
Magill joined the ITV1 soap when it began in 1972 as Emmerdale Farm, and appeared in the role for 19 years.
His character was renowned for running the Woolpack pub with Henry Wilks, and for his distinctive bushy sideburns.
The actor, who began his career on the stage, had a number of small TV parts before landing the role of Amos.
The larger-than-life landlord was a mainstay of the soap - along with Wilks and Annie Sugden - until his departure in 1991.
However, he returned to the soap for brief appearances later that decade, including his marriage to Annie in 1995.
Mr Palmer, 58, who was friends with Magill for more than 15 years, said the actor "loved" working on Emmerdale.
"They were very much a family, and he enjoyed it very, very much indeed," he told the BBC News website.
"Professionally, he was word-perfect, and I think that went back to his repertory days when he had a lot of lines to learn."
Mr Palmer said that off-screen, Magill was "very much a dapper gentleman".
"No matter where he was, he always had time for fans. If they came over to him, he would put his knife and fork down or whatever, and speak to them.
"It was the character of Amos that people loved, but I think it was an integration of the character and him," he said.
"He gave it his soul. Amos wasn't just a character. You always felt like you knew him."
Emmerdale's executive producer, Keith Richardson, said everyone on the programme was "deeply saddened" at his death.
"His endearing performances secured Amos Brearly a place as one of the best-loved characters in Emmerdale's history," he said.
Theatrical background
Magill was born in Hull in April 1920, but was raised in Birmingham.
He started his career on the stage, and was artistic director of the Nottingham Playhouse in the 1960s.
He also had a small part in the 1970 film Julius Caesar, with Charlton Heston and Sir John Gielgud.
Magill made his debut as Amos Brearly in the first episode of Emmerdale, transmitted in October 1972, and left the regular cast in January 1991. His final appearance was on 7 July 1995.
Steven Murphy, editor of Inside Soap magazine, said Magill would be fondly remembered by Emmerdale fans.
"I watched it from a very young age and just remember him being one of the archetypal characters of the time, and there have not been many like him since," he said.
"The sideburns really stood out for me, and I think that goes for everyone. If you say his name, people still remember his sideburns and 'Nay, Mr Wilks' catchphrase."
He went on: "It was a much tamer time in the Woolpack in those days - there was none of the sex and sin we see these days, but there were still strong, dramatic storylines.
"I think his legacy lives on in characters like Betty and Edna, strong, older Yorkshire characters that you can have a bit of fun with too."
