Ivor Roberts (actor)

Ivor Roberts (19 July 1925 – 5 September 1999) was a British actor and a television continuity announcer who often appeared in comedic roles.[1][2]

Born in Nottingham, he returned to acting following service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Roberts started his television career as a continuity announcer on regional television in Wales, working for TWW before that company lost its franchise in 1968.[2]

Among his better-known roles were the characters of Arnold Thomas in the 1995–97 television series Oh, Doctor Beeching! and Mr Barnes in the second, third and fourth series of You Rang, M'Lord?.[3][4] He also made a guest appearance, as a police officer, in one episode of George and Mildred.[5] Another notable appearance was as Mr. Chick in Dombey and Son.[6] He played parts in Porridge and Yes Minister.[7][8] Roberts died in Cardiff, Wales, in 1999, at the age of 74.[1]

Selected filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1975 Madame Bovary Guillaumin TV series
1976 Rogue Male Mr. Drake TV film
1977 The Duchess of Duke Street Sergeant Episode: "The Reluctant Warrior"
1977 Secret Army Victor Episodes: "Lost Sheep" and "Guilt" (flashback only)
1978 The Sailor's Return Farmer Molton
1979 Home Before Midnight Inspector Gray
1980 Sweet William Uncle Walter
1980 Hopscotch Ludlum
1983 Every Picture Tells a Story Reverend Jenkins
1984 Another Country Chief Judge
1987 Personal Services Glossop
1988 We Think the World of You Harry
1988 Without a Clue Reporter #3
1988 Tales of the Unexpected Gas Inspector "A Time to Die" episode (9/9)
1995–1997 Oh, Doctor Beeching! Arnold Thomas 20 episodes
1999 The Window Bed Joe (final film role)

References

  1. ^ a b "Ivor Roberts". BFI. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Obituary: Ivor Roberts". The Independent. 15 September 1999.
  3. ^ "Oh Doctor Beeching! (1995)". BFI. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019.
  4. ^ "You Rang M'Lord?". BBC Genome. 11 November 1990. p. 68.
  5. ^ "George and Mildred | TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
  6. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Dombey and Son (1983) Credits". screenonline.org.uk.
  7. ^ "Porridge: No Peace for the Wicked". BBC Genome. 14 November 1975. p. 59.
  8. ^ "BBC Two – Yes, Minister, Series 2, The Death List". BBC.