Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em was a staple on screens in the 1970s – but where are the cast now?
The iconic sitcom – which airs a special show, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em: Secrets & Scandals today (September 1) – ran for five years on the BBC, from 1973 to 1978. It starred Michael Crawford as Frank Spencer.
The series followed accident-prone Frank as he got into all kinds of scrapes, often wearing his long overcoat and beret. He was accompanied in his disaster-prone adventures by his tolerant wife, Betty, played by Michele Dotrice.
But 46 years since Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em ended, where are the cast now? Keep reading to find out.
Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em cast: Michael Crawford
On Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, Michael played Frank – one of the most iconic characters in British comedy.
After the series came to an end in 1978, actor Michael famously took on the iconic role of the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera in the mid-80s.
However, in 2004 he dealt a devastating health blow when he learned he was suffering from the post-viral condition myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
The condition debilitated Michael for six years and in 2007 he relocated to New Zealand.
Michael Crawford ‘lost himself’ amid illness
ME has a wide range of symptoms, with the most common being extreme tiredness. It’s not known what causes chronic fatigue syndrome.
In 2016, Michael spoke on Loose Women about how he had coped with the illness.
“It’s something that medically has not been explained yet, so there are thousands and thousands of people suffering,” he shared.
Michael added: “What happened to me, it’s something like the flu and it never went away. I lost myself. I lost my enthusiasm.
“The people I speak to, this is exactly how they described it, what I say to people is that you have to find yourself again. Find you inside this person the illness has turned you into.”
Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em cast: Michele Dotrice
Telly star Michele played Frank’s tolerant wife Betty Spencer on Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em.
Once the show wrapped, she went on to star in a number of popular shows including Midsomer Murders, Holby City and A Very British Scandal.
Michele was married to star of crime dramas Callan and The Equaliser as well as The Wickerman, Edward Woodward. The pair tied the knot in 1987 and have a daughter, Emily Beth.
Edward suffered a heart attack in 1987 and had another one seven years later. In 1996, he underwent triple bypass surgery.
However, sadly, Edward died in 2009 aged 79 from a reported complex combination of pneumonia, diabetes, prostate cancer and heart problems.
Michele’s heart broke after husband died
Recounting Edward’s health “deteriorating”, Michele told The Mirror in 2020: “We moved back from America to our home in Padstow, Cornwall.
“I did bits of TV like Bramwell, Midsomer Murders and Holby City but in 2003 Edward was diagnosed with prostate cancer and, as his health deteriorated, I had to do more caring.”
The actor suffered a fall and then developed pneumonia and died in November 2009. Speaking about her husband’s death, Michele added: “Losing my darling boy broke my heart. It’s such a terrible loss.”
Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em cast: Jane Hylton
Jane played Betty’s mother, Mrs Fisher on Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em – but she was no stranger to appearing on screens. The actress started her career back in the 1940s and 1950s.
In her late thirties, Jane was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. And sadly, on February 28 1979, she died of a heart attack aged 52.
Dick Bentley on Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em
Dick Bentley was an Australian-born comedian and actor with a career that spanned over three decades.
On Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, he played Grandad Spencer, Frank Spencer’s grandfather, and it was a role that he came out of retirement especially for.
Sadly, in 1995, Dick died from complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Watch Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em: Secrets & Scandals on Channel 5 at 5:00pm on Sunday (September 1).
Read more: BBC investigates Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em after complaint
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