Actress Brigit Forsyth dies aged 83

Actress Brigit Forsyth, who starred in hit BBC sitcom Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? in the 1970s, has died at the age of 83, her agent has confirmed.

In the sequel to The Likely Lads, Forsyth played Thelma Ferris, the long-suffering wife of Rodney Bewes’ character Bob.

Forsyth’s agent Mark Pemberton confirmed she died “peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family” in the early hours of Friday morning.

“Brigit had a varied and notable career in stage, screen and radio. Best known for her roles in television as Thelma in Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?, Francine Pratt in Playing The Field and Madge in Still Open All Hours.”

“Brigit also played multiple roles in theatre from the West End to the National Theatres of England and Scotland, and the great reps of Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham, playing everything from the Queen in Single Spies, to Kate in All My Sons.

Brigit Forsyth as Thelma and Rodney Bewes as Bob in the 1974 festive special of ‘Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?’

Playing The Field (BBC)

Mark Pemberton continued:

“She was in many radio plays on the BBC over the years and also featured in the Radio 4 sitcom Ed Reardon’s Week. A talented musician, Brigit played the cello, sang and composed, and in later years played with several bands including The Fircones.

“Brigit loved collaboration and helping to develop new works with actors, writers and directors, which eventually led her to form her own cross disciplinary theatre company, Word Mills Productions in 2016.”

Still Open All Hours (BBC)

Boon (ITV / Central Television)

Forsyth appeared in many other television shows including Poirot, Casualty, and Coronation Street, where she played one of Ken Barlow’s escort clients.

She was also known for her roles as Madge in Still Open All Hours and as social-climbing snob Francine Pratt – wife of businessman Jim, played by Ricky Tomlinson – in the BBC drama Playing The Field about a women’s football team.

Her husband was Coronation Street director Brian Mills.