DEATH OF TV’S BRIAN MURPHY BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF TEDDINGTON


Comedy actor Brian Murphy, whose death was announced today, was a familiar figure in Teddington during the filming of the ITV series George and Mildred, a massively popular sitcom which aired between 1976 and 1979
It starred Brian and Yootha Joyce as husband and wife George and Mildred, who lived in the fictional Peacock Crescent, which was, in real life, two properties in Manor Road, Teddington.
In episode George and Mildred purchase the house of Mildred’s dreams on Peacock Crescent. Living next door is the estate agent that first showed them around their new home, Jeffrey Fourmile. Jeffrey lives with his wife Ann and children Tristram and from series 3 onwards.
While depicted as Peacock Crescent in the upper class area of Hampton Wick, the external shots were filmed at the properties on Manor Road, Teddington as shown below.
The distinctive actor, who also appeared in the spin-off series Man About the House, died at his Kent home at the age of 92 on Sunday.
His wife, Hi-de-Hi! actress Linda Regan, said, “I was lucky to have in my lifetime found my soulmate. Brian who I will love forever.”
Murphy rose to prominence playing landlord George Roper in Man About The House, also alongside the late Yootha Joyce as Mildred Roper, between 1973 and 1976. Murphy also played George in the TV spin-off George and Mildred between 1976 and 1979 and the film adaptations of both TV shows in 1974 and 1980.
The actor also played Alvin Smedley in Last of the Summer Wine, starred in The Booze Cruise series and appeared in TV shows such as Jonathan Creek, Casualty, Holby City, Benidorm, Wizadora, and The Catherine Tate Show.
Murphy’s friend and agent Thomas Bowington told BBC News that he was a “joyful and profoundly good-hearted man” and paid tribute to his “talent and humanity”.