Clive Swift 1936-2019Bookmark and Share

Friday, 1 February 2019 - Reported by Marcus
The actor Clive Swift has died at the age of 82.

Clive Swift appeared in two Doctor Who stories. In 1985 he appeared with Sixth Doctor Colin Baker in the story Revelation of the Daleks, playing Jobel, the chief embalmer of Tranquil Repose on Necros.

Swift returned to the series in 2007 appearing with David Tennant in the Christmas special Voyage of the Damned, as Bayldon Copper an employee aboard the Titanic.

Swift was best known for his role as Richard Bucket in the British television comedy series Keeping Up Appearances.

Clive Swift was born in Liverpool in 1936. After stydying English literature at Cambridge University he became a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

In the 1960's he made his first apperance on British television appearing in Theatre Night. He had regular roles in the BBC Comedy series Dig This Rhubarb. Regular TV roles followed including playing Major Bagstock in Dombey and Son, Inspector Waugh in Thirty-Minute Theatre and Albert Benbow in Clayhanger.

In 1982 he played Bishop Proudie in the BBC adaptation of of Anthony Trollope's Barchester Chronicles.

Between 1990-1995 he starred in 42 episodes of the British sitcom, Keeping Up Appearances playing Hyacinth Bucket's long-suffering husband, Richard. Written by Roy Clarke and staring Patricia Routledge the series has become the BBC's best selling series in its long history, seen around the world.

Later appearances included parts in Midsomer Murders and Peak Practice.

Thirteen million watched his apperance in Doctor Who in 2007 alongside singer Kylie Minogue. To promote the story Swift did a famously grumpy interview with Doctor Who Magazine, berating the interviewer for his 'silly' questions.

Swift was married to novelist Margaret Drabble between 1960 and 1975 and was father to daughter Rebecca, who died in April 2017. He is survied by his two sons.




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