Derek Royle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Derek Royle (1929 – 23 January 1990) was a British actor born in London, UK. His face was probably better known than his name to British viewers, but he acted in films and TV from the mid-sixties until his death. He had a supporting role in The Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour in 1967, as well as a minor one with Cilla Black in the film Work Is A Four-letter Word a year later. Most of his film appearances were in comedy films such as Don't Just Lie There, Say Something! (1973)
His big personal success came in a children's TV comedy series, Hogg's Back (1975) as Doctor Hogg, an eccentric GP. Royle acted opposite Wendy Richard and Pat Coombs over two series. It was shown in the 'children's hour' early evening slot and was very popular. (Hog's Back is an area in Surrey in Britain.) Royle's international success consisted of an episode of Fawlty Towers, The Kipper and The Corpse, wherein he played the eponymous corpse.
He was in a series of the BBC comedy 'Allo 'Allo!, had a supporting role in a remake of Indiscreet (1988) and in a new BBC version of a Lord Peter Wimsey story.
