Perdita
17-11-2008, 10:11
The star of one of Britain's most successful television comedies has died at the age of 92.
Reg Varney became a household name appearing as driver Stan Butler in ITV's On The Buses during the 1970s.
His daughter Jeanne Marley told the BBC that her father died 'peacefully' after a short illness at a nursing home in Devon.
Varney was born in East London and began his career in entertainment by playing the piano in working men's clubs. During WWII, he served in the Royal Electrical Engineers and was also an army entertainer.
His first TV appearance came in 1961 in the BBC sitcom The Rag Trade, followed by another comedy role in Beggar My Neighbour in 1966.
On The Buses followed in 1969, and Varney's comic partnership with co-star Bob Grant saw the series run for seven years and spawn three spinoff films.
He is survived by his daughter, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
RIP, Reg :(
Reg Varney became a household name appearing as driver Stan Butler in ITV's On The Buses during the 1970s.
His daughter Jeanne Marley told the BBC that her father died 'peacefully' after a short illness at a nursing home in Devon.
Varney was born in East London and began his career in entertainment by playing the piano in working men's clubs. During WWII, he served in the Royal Electrical Engineers and was also an army entertainer.
His first TV appearance came in 1961 in the BBC sitcom The Rag Trade, followed by another comedy role in Beggar My Neighbour in 1966.
On The Buses followed in 1969, and Varney's comic partnership with co-star Bob Grant saw the series run for seven years and spawn three spinoff films.
He is survived by his daughter, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
RIP, Reg :(