REG VARNEYComedy actor Reg Varney, best known for his portrayal of driver Stan Butler in the 1970s TV sitcom, On the Buses, died on 16 November, 2008, aged 92, after a short illness.
The baby faced protagonist was the epitome of cockney cheek, though he never had much luck with the birds compared to his conductor Jack (Bob Grant). But the high jinks of the Luxton & District bus yard and the continual infuriation of Blakey, the officious inspector, provided relief during the working hours driving the number 11.
Reginald Alfred Varney was born in London's East End on 11 July, 1916. He took various menial jobs after leaving school before discovering he had a flair for performance in working men's clubs.
He joined the Royal Electrical Engineers during the Second World War, but carried on entertaining in music halls.
In the 1960s he had various film and television roles, mainly playing cockney rogues such as Harry Butt, working class hero of sitcom Beggar My Neighbour (1966-68), East End wideboy Rabbit Malone in Joey Boy (1965) and a hapless crook in The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery (1966).
On the Buses began in 1969 and ran for seven series and three feature films. Strictly in the music hall tradition, the BBC originally turned the series down, so it went to ITV. In years to come the BBC would regret the decision and commissioned numerous shows in a similar vein, such as Are You Being Served? and Hi-de-Hi!
After On the Buses, Mr Varney appeared in a number of films and the market trader sitcom Down the 'Gate. During the 1980s he returned to the stage with a touring cabaret show in Australia, New Zealand and Canada and a stage version of On the Buses.
He had lived in Devon for the past 20 years and passed away at a local nursing home. He was survived by his daughter Jeanne, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His wife Lilian died in 2002. Jeanne commented on his endless youthful vigour: "He's always been very young for his age. When he was in On the Buses he was playing a 35-year-old, but he was actually 50."
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