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Liz Smith found fame as an actress at an age when most people are considering retirement. It was a long road to eventual stardom, during which she struggled to raise a family after a broken marriage. She became best known for her roles in The Vicar of Dibley (1994) and The Royle Family but her talents encompassed serious drama too. And while she made something of a name playing slightly dotty old ladies, the real Liz Smith was far removed from these on-screen personas. She was born Betty Gleadle in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. Her early life was not happy. Her mother died in childbirth when she was just two years old and her father abandoned her when he remarried. "My father was a bit of a sod, really. He just went off with loads of women and then married one who said he had to cut off completely from his prior life and that meant me." She started going to the local cinema with her grandfather when she was four and she quickly gained a fascination for acting.

By the age of nine, she was appearing in local dramatic productions, often playing the part of elderly ladies. World War Two thwarted her plans and she joined the WRNS because, as she later told the BBC's Desert Island Discs, she loved the cut of the naval uniform. She continued appearing in plays and entertainments while serving in the Royal Navy. She met her future husband Jack Thomas while she was stationed in India and the couple married at the end of the war. Her grandmother had left her enough money to buy a house in London. Smith later remembered that she had picked it at random from a magazine and bought it without crossing the threshold.

But what had been an idyllic marriage failed shortly after the family moved to Epping Forest in Essex and she was left to bring up her two children alone. With money tight, she worked in a number of jobs including delivering post and quality control in a plastic bag factory. But her love for acting remained and she began buying the theatrical magazine, The Stage, and sending her photograph to casting agents. Eventually she became part of a group studying method acting under a teacher who had come to the UK from America.

She performed at the Gate Theatre in west London and spent many years in repertory, as well as spells as an entertainer in Butlins holiday camps. In 1970, she was selling toys in London's Regent Street when she got a call from the director Mike Leigh to play the downtrodden mother in his film Bleak Moments. Leigh cast her again in Hard Labour, part of the BBC's Play for Today series, a role that allowed her to shine. She received critical acclaim as the middle-aged housewife who endures a life of domestic drudgery, constantly at the beck and call of her demanding husband and daughter.

It was the breakthrough she had sought for years and, as she later recalled: "I never went back to grotty jobs again." She was seldom off the screen over the next 20 years, with appearances in a number of TV programmes including Last of the Summer Wine, The Sweeney, The Duchess of Duke Street and The Gentle Touch. She was cast as Madame Balls in the 1976 film The Pink Panther Strikes Again, but her scenes were left on the cutting-room floor. However, she did appear in the role six years later in The Curse of the Pink Panther. In 1984 she received a Bafta for Best Supporting Actress when she played Maggie Smith's mother in the film A Private Function.

Two years later she appeared as Patricia Hodge's alcoholic mother in the BBC drama The Life and Loves Of A She Devil. It was a part, she said, that she really enjoyed as it gave her the chance to wear more glamorous outfits than her usual roles required. And she was able to dress up again for her next film appearance, this time in the role of Grace in Peter Greenaway's film The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. She was still much in demand at the beginning of the 1990s, appearing in the sitcom 2point4 Children and in the series Lovejoy and Bottom.

In 1994 she became a household name with her portrayal of Letitia Cropley in the series The Vicar of Dibley (1994). The character was famous for her idiosyncratic recipes such as parsnip brownies and lard and fish paste pancakes, but was killed off in 1996. Two years later Liz Smith starred as Nana in The Royle Family, a sitcom that ran for nearly four years. She took the part again in 2006 in a special edition in which Nana died. Typically, she attributed her success to Caroline Aherne's scripts rather than her own talent.

"They were great roles," she later remembered. "I was so lucky that things did come my way then." Unlike some actors, she watched recordings of her own performances looking for ways in which she could improve her acting. She continued to appear in feature films, playing Grandma Georgina in Tim Burton's 2005 version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and she was the voice of Mrs Mulch in Wallace & Gromit -The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. In 2006 she published her autobiography Our Betty and moved into a retirement home in north London but continued acting. She appeared in the BBC's Lark Rise to Candleford, finally announcing her retirement in 2008 at the age of 87. It was a belief in her own talent that drove Liz Smith on when her life was at a low ebb. "All I wanted was a chance," she told the BBC. "It was wonderful when it did happen."

Smith died on Christmas Eve 2016. She was 95.

Sydney Bromley was born on 24 July 1909 in London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The NeverEnding Story (1984), An American Werewolf in London (1981) and Dragonslayer (1981). He died on 14 August 1987 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

John Forgeham was born on 14 May 1941 in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Mean Machine (2001), The Italian Job (1969) and Kiss of the Dragon (2001). He was married to Arlene Garciano, Fiesta Mei Ling and Georgina Hale. He died on 10 March 2017 in Worthing, West Sussex, England, UK.

Hugh Lloyd was born on 22 April 1923 in Chester, Cheshire, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for You Rang, M'Lord? (1988), Doctor Who (1963) and Alice in Wonderland (1999). He was married to Shän Davies, Carole Wilkinson, Anne Rodgers and José Stewart. He died on 14 July 2008 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Actor Brian Hall was best known for his role as Terry the cook in the BBC comedy series Fawlty Towers (1975). He began acting while still in his teens in amateur shows where his burly frame made him ideal casting for villains and heavies.

After leaving school he worked as a taxi driver before he was spotted by theatrical agent Richard Ireson who persuaded him that his talent lay in theatre.

He went on to appear in stage plays at The Royal Court Theatre in London, notably in Peter Gill's production of Crete and Sergeant Pepper and at the Royal Shakespeare Company he starred in Afore Night Comes, directed by Ron Daniels.

With John Chapman he co-wrote Made It Mad (based on the famous James Cagney line in the film White Heat) which was staged at the Royal Court as well as Bit of Business, co-written and directed with John Burgess at the National Theatre.

He had a highly successful TV career, notably in series such as Softly Softly (1966) (as the corrupt police officer Sergeant Ted Drake).

He played a bodyguard to Bob Hoskins in the cult gangster classic film The Long Good Friday (1980), the same year he was cast as a villain in McVicar (1980).

He struck up a close friendship with the actor John Cleese when they appeared in the BBC comedy series Fawlty Towers. Some years after the series had finished Cleese sent Hall a personally signed autographed picture as a joke. Hall wrote back and demanded a signed Rolls-Royce car instead. Three day later, one arrived in the post - it was a children's toy.

In 1994 he was diagnosed as having cancer.

Helen Christie was born on 22 October 1914 in India. She was an actress, known for The Beggar's Opera (1953), Melissa (1964) and The Queen of Spades (1949). She was married to John Barron, Mark Dignam and Patrick Crean. She died on 17 August 1995 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Peter Tuddenham, actor, born November 27 1918; died July 9 2007.

The amiable actor Peter Tuddenham died aged 88, he was always content to remain in supporting roles; in fact, he was most recognised for his off-screen work. He provided the contrasting voices of the computers in the science-fiction series Blake's 7 (BBC, 1978-81).

Tuddenham, who was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, and brought up in the seaside resort of Felixstowe, had made his professional debut before the second world war, in repertory on the pier at Hastings. In the wartime Royal Army Service Corps, he was one of many who honed their performing skills appearing with Stars in Battledress.

Demobbed after the war, he joined a production of Ivor Novello's The Dancing Years; later, in 1959, BBC productions of this and another Novello musical, Perchance to Deam, were among his early television appearances. In 1950, he appeared in Noel Coward's Ace Of Cards, but although the play was well received on tour, it had negative reviews in London's West End.

Tuddenham's small-screen debut was in The Granville Melodramas (1955), one of ITV's earliest productions, starring then husband and wife Hattie Jacques and John Le Mesurier. He took a regular role in Anglia Television's Weavers Green (1966), a short-lived, twice-weekly soap that made an early use of location videotape recording. As an expert on the Suffolk accents, he became Anglia's regular dialect coach.

Characteristically, Tuddenham was heard but not seen as the spirit of East Anglia, in Akenfield (1974), Sir Peter Hall's film adaptation of Ronald Blythe's book, which had an otherwise amateur cast. In a now commonplace move, most of the funding came from London Weekend Television in exchange for the cinema rights; unlike subsequent cinema crossovers it was first screened on television and then released theatrically. This led to good ratings but poor box office. Still, Tuddenham became the dialogue coach for Hall's 1985 production at Glyndebourne of Benjamin Britten's opera, Albert Herring, which was televised on BBC2.

After much radio work, including the soaps Mrs Dale's Diary and Waggoner's Walk, Tuddenham became an off-screen voice in the Doctor Who stories The Ark in Space and The Masque of Mandragora, in 1975 and 1976, both starring Tom Baker. He was then cast in Blake's 7, the adventures of interplanetary rebels fighting an omnipotent Federation. This was created by Terry Nation, who had previously given the world the Daleks.

Tuddenham provided the voices of the computers (eventually three of them - Zen, Orac and Slave) in the show that featured the ship which Clive James, in the Observer, described as "a tasteless light-fitting known as the Liberator". James's view that the series was "flaring nonsense from beyond the galaxy" was widespread among critics. Jokes about the sets and special effects were frequent, and even the large audiences who enjoyed the series generally viewed it as nothing more than hokum.

However, it developed a passionate and vocal cult following, and many maintain that it and Doctor Who represent the pinnacle of British television. Tuddenham reprised his roles in revivals for radio, and in audio tapes made by fans.

Not that he lacked for work in serious drama, generally playing doctors and authority figures. He was in North and South (1975), after the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, and supported Ian Holm as JM Barrie in The Lost Boys (1978), and Eileen Atkins in The Burston Rebellion (1985), about two Norfolk teachers in 1914 who were dismissed for their leftwing beliefs: their pupils went on strike. Anything More Would Be Greedy (1989), again for Anglia, a six-part critique of the 1980s by Malcolm Bradbury, gave Tuddenham the small but vital role of the returning officer at the local elections.

His lighter guest appearances included Nearest and Dearest, Only Fools and Horses, and One Foot in the Grave. He appeared regularly as the friend of academic dropout Michael Williams in the gentle comedy Double First (1988).

Tuddenham remained a genial character, and was an unfailingly popular guest at sci-fi conventions. Rosie, his second wife, and their son Julian survived him in 2007, together with a son from his first marriage. Another son had predeceased him.

A former police officer and pilot, Talbot Rothwell had an unorthodox entry into show business: as a prisoner of war in a German POW camp during WW II, Rothwell, out of boredom (and also to cover the noise of prisoners digging escape tunnels), got involved in camp entertainment shows, writing comedy sketches with fellow prisoner Peter Butterworth (who later worked with him in the "Carry On" series). After the war Rothwell continued with his comedy writing, eventually achieving a degree of success in radio and on stage.

Rothwell joined the "Carry On" series in 1963 with Carry on Cabby (1963), a script that wasn't originally supposed to be an entry in the series, but producer Peter Rogers liked it so much he used it for the "Carry On" gang and offered Rothwell a job as staff writer. Rothwell stayed with the series for an additional 19 films, retiring in the late 1970s. In 1977 he was awarded the OBE for his work in the film industry. He died in 1981, at age 64.

Patrick Garland was born on 10 April 1935 in England, UK. He was a director and actor, known for A Doll's House (1973), The Snow Goose (1971) and An Age of Kings (1960). He was married to Alexandra Bastedo. He died on 19 April 2013 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Nancy Price was born on 3 February 1880 in Kinver, Worcestershire, England, UK. She was an actress and director, known for The Speckled Band (1931), The Stars Look Down (1940) and Down Our Street (1932). She was married to Charles Maude. She died on 31 March 1970 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Arthur Crabtree (1900-1975) was born in Shipley, Yorkshire where he gave up a safe job with a local firm of engineers to become a clapper boy at Elstree Studios. He had always been interested in photography and at the age of 29 he took a calculated risk, which paid off, when sound hit the British studios .From being a lowly clapper boy he rose to become an assistant to a young and up coming director called Alfred Hitchcock learning all he could. Ten years later he moved to Gainsborough Studios where he became a cameraman and then a lighting director working on such films as Kipps (1940) ,The Man in Grey (1943), and Fanny by Gaslight (1944). After that he was noticed by Maurice Ostrer who promoted him to director for Madonna of the Seven Moons' This milestone in British film history had a cast that included Phyllis Calvert and Stewart Granger and caused great queues at cinemas when it was screened in 1945, Subsequent films by Arthur included Lilli Marlene and Hindle Wakes. His last film was Horrors of the Black Museum in 1959 after which he retired

Geoffrey Denys was born on 30 June 1890 in Kensington, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Life of Lord Byron (1922), The Case of the Red Monkey (1955) and Query (1945). He died on 8 January 1965 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Served in WWI, and was badly gassed. After the war, took up acting, and was on the London stage in WWII, where he came to the attention of MI5 (British Military Intelligence) by accident. At the end of one nightly performance, he couldn't find the hat that he would normally wear, and so he donned a beret and walked onstage; the audience, thinking that he was Bernard L. Montgomery, promptly stood and cheered.

Jay Denyer was born on 7 May 1913 in Marylebone, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Avengers (1961), Softly Softly (1966) and The Love Match (1953). He died on 27 February 1996 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Jane Royle was born on 20 October 1932 in London, England, UK. She is known for Lost in Space (1998), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) and GoldenEye (1995). She was married to Derek Royle. She died on 13 December 2010 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Dennis Wyndham was born on 15 January 1887 in Natal, South Africa. He was an actor, known for Juno and the Paycock (1930), Lorna Doone (1920) and The Face at the Window (1932). He was married to Poppy Wyndham. He died on 19 August 1973 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Wilkie Cooper was born on 19 October 1911 in Wandsworth, Surrey, England, UK. He was a cinematographer, known for Jason and the Argonauts (1963), The Avengers (1961) and Stage Fright (1950). He was married to Peggy Bryan. He died on 15 December 2001 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Franklin Dyall was born on 3 February 1870 in Liverpool, England, UK. He was an actor and director, known for The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933), Easy Virtue (1928) and The Gaunt Stranger (1931). He was married to Mary Merrall and Mary Phyllis Logan. He died on 8 May 1950 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Arnold Bell was born on 23 May 1901 in Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Portrait of Alison (1955), Horror Maniacs (1948) and An Honourable Murder (1960). He was married to Ethel Susan Twigg. He died on 12 March 1988 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Cliff Diggins was born on 16 September 1931 in Marylebone, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Avengers (1961), Warhead (1977) and Space: 1999 (1975). He was married to Diana Elizabeth Francombe Chitty. He died on 28 December 2002 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Anthea Askey was born on 2 March 1933 in London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Love and Kisses (1955), The Love Match (1953) and The Love Match (1955). She was married to Stewart, Bill. She died on 28 February 1999 in Worthing, West Sussex, England, UK.

Temple Abady was born on 13 June 1903 in Hampstead, London, England, UK. She was a composer, known for All Over the Town (1949), Miranda (1948) and Folly to Be Wise (1952). She was married to Anna Duse. She died on 1 December 1970 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Gwen Williams was born on 17 April 1888 in Manly, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. She was an actress, known for Cards with Uncle Tom (1959), The Four Feathers (1921) and The Secret of the Moor (1919). She died on 27 May 1962 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Peggy Bryan was born on 3 January 1916 in Aston, Birmingham, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Dead of Night (1945), L'Arlésienne (1950) and Turned Out Nice Again (1941). She was married to Wilkie Cooper. She died on 12 January 1996 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.

Alan Meacham was born on 14 May 1929 in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Merlin (1998), Orlando (1992) and Man in the Dark (1964). He died on 2 May 1998 in Worthing, Sussex, England, UK.