Upstairs, Downstairs and Last Of The Summer Wine actor Christopher Beeny has died at the age of 78, his son has revealed.
Christopher’s son, Rick Blackman, has announced that the actor died on Friday, and was at home “in his armchair”.
He wrote: “I have some sad news to impart. On Friday 3rd of January my old dad Christopher Beeny died at his home in Kent. He was 78.
“Comforted to know he was not alone at the end and was in his armchair.”I have some sad news to impart. On friday 3rd of January my old dad Christopher Beeny died at his home in Kent. He was 78. Comforted to know he was not alone at the end and was in his armchair. pic.twitter.com/e4GsvYtPVp— Rick Blackman (@rickblackman01) January 7, 2020Since his initial post, Rick has thanked his dad’s fans for their “kind tributes”, noting: “I’ve tried to answer and like as many as possible but the sheer volume has been staggering.
“Thank all you so much from me and the rest of the family.”Me and dad early 70's with the WW1 story line in Upstairs Downstairs I changed my name aged 14 when my mum re married if you were doubting I am his son! Don't believe all you read on wikipedia. Me and my sister don't exist according to that! Dad was born in
London not Bristol! pic.twitter.com/8YTj9Z1r4k— Rick Blackman (@rickblackman01) January 7, 2020Morning twitter. I want to thank you all for the kind tributes and messages following the death of my dad. I've tried to answer and like as many as possible but the sheer volume has been staggering. Thank all you so much from me and the rest of the family xx #ChristopherBeeny— Rick Blackman (@rickblackman01) January 8, 2020A former child actor, Christopher made multiple TV and film appearances in the 1950s, including in the
British soap opera The Grove Family, and films like The Long Memory, The Kidnappers and Child’s Play.
He also played Edward, the footman, in the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs, and played Billy Henshaw in the sitcom In Loving Memory.
Christopher was best known for his portrayal of Herman Teasdale, who went on to become known as Moreton Beamish, in Last Of The Summer Wine. The actor first began making guest appearances in the show in 2001, and eventually joined the show’s cast until it went off the air in 2010.
In 2006, he appeared in a small role in Emmerdale, alongside his former Upstairs, Downstairs co-star Jenny Tomasin, and later joined the cast of the mini-series Sense & Sensibility, adapted from the classic Jane Austen novel.