Beloved ‘Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?’ Star Passes Away at the Age of 83
Scottish actress Brigit Forsyth, best known for her role as Thelma Ferris in the beloved BBC sitcom ‘Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?’ during the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 83, as confirmed by her agent.
Forsyth portrayed the formidable Thelma Ferris, the enduring wife of Rodney Bewes’ character Bob, in the immensely popular series, which served as a sequel to ‘The Likely Lads’.
Both productions, scripted by the esteemed duo Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, renowned for their work on successful comedies like ‘Porridge’, ‘Lovejoy’, and ‘Auf Wiedersehen, Pet’, revolved around the lives of two friends, Bob and Terry, originating from northeast England.
James Bolam, embodying the character of Terry, often found himself at odds with Thelma throughout the show’s tenure.
“Mark Pemberton, agent to Forsyth, confirmed her passing as occurring ‘peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her family’ during the early hours of Friday morning.
“Her career spanned a rich tapestry across stage, screen, and radio. Forsyth’s notable portrayals include Thelma in Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?, Francine Pratt in Playing The Field, and Madge in Still Open All Hours,” a statement outlined.
“Beyond television, Forsyth’s theatrical repertoire ranged from the West End to esteemed stages like England and Scotland’s National Theatres, alongside revered repertory companies in Leeds, Manchester, and Birmingham. Her diverse roles encompassed characters from the Queen in Single Spies to Kate in All My Sons.
“Her presence extended to the airwaves with numerous BBC radio plays and a role in the Radio 4 sitcom Ed Reardon’s Week. Not solely an actress, Forsyth showcased her musical talent through cello performances, vocals, compositions, and collaborations with bands such as The Fircones in her later years.”
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“Following her passion for collaborative creativity, Brigit ventured into developing new works alongside actors, writers, and directors. This journey culminated in the establishment of her own multidisciplinary theatre company, Word Mills Productions, in 2016.
Post her role in ‘The Likely Lads,’ Forsyth became a sought-after talent, securing roles in various television productions, including appearances in esteemed shows like ‘Poirot,’ ‘Casualty,’ and a notable stint in ‘Coronation Street’ as one of Ken Barlow’s escort clients.
The year 2000 marked her return to the screen, portraying the character of Francine Pratt, an ambitious social climber married to businessman Jim Pratt, played by Royle Family luminary Ricky Tomlinson, in the BBC’s football drama ‘Playing The Field.’
Notably, Forsyth was married to Brian Mills, a director known for his work on ‘Coronation Street.’
(Source: Press Association)”
