Roy Barraclough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roy Barraclough
MBE |
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| Born | 12 July 1935 Preston, Lancashire, England
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| Died | 1 June 2017 (aged 81) Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England
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| Resting place | Hollinwood Cemetery, Oldham, Greater Manchester, England |
| Occupation | Television actor |
| Known for | Role of Alec Gilroy in Coronation Street |
Roy Barraclough was an English actor and comedian. He was born on July 12, 1935, and passed away on June 1, 2017. Many people remember him for playing Alec Gilroy in the popular British TV show Coronation Street. Alec was the owner of the Rovers Return pub in the show. Roy Barraclough was also famous for his comedy act called Cissie and Ada, which he performed with comedian Les Dawson.
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Roy's Acting Journey
Roy Barraclough started his working life as a draughtsman, which is someone who draws detailed plans. But he also loved to entertain! He would take time off to perform at a holiday camp on the Isle of Wight. For several years, he balanced his day job with acting in local plays.
Eventually, he was offered a full-time acting job by a theatre producer named Nita Valerie. He joined her acting company in Huddersfield. Roy often performed on stage and sometimes even played the piano for shows.
Later, Roy joined other acting groups in places like Stoke-on-Trent and Oldham. In Oldham, he worked with Barbara Knox and Anne Kirkbride. They later became his co-stars on Coronation Street! While in Oldham, he made his first TV appearances, including a small role in Coronation Street in 1964.
In 1969, Roy got a role in Castle Haven, which was one of Yorkshire Television's first TV shows. Even though the show only lasted a year, Roy became a popular guest actor on many other TV shows from Yorkshire TV.
Famous Comedy Acts
Throughout the 1970s, Roy Barraclough teamed up with comedian Les Dawson. They created a very popular comedy act called Cissie and Ada. In this act, they played two older, gossipy ladies. Les Dawson played Ada Shufflebotham, and Roy Barraclough played Cissie Braithwaite, who was seen as the more "proper" of the two.
Roy also had a fun role as Mr. Cobbledick in the children's TV show Pardon My Genie. He also made guest appearances in other popular TV shows like The Lovers, Rising Damp, and George and Mildred.
Life in Coronation Street
Roy Barraclough made a few guest appearances in Coronation Street in 1972 and 1975. He played Alec Gilroy, a theatre agent who worked with the singer Rita Littlewood.
He returned to the show for good in 1986. His character, Alec, even married another famous character, Bet Lynch. After leaving and coming back a few times, Roy finally left Coronation Street for good at the end of 1998.
In 1987, Roy Barraclough was featured on the TV show This Is Your Life, where famous people are surprised and celebrated for their careers.
Later Roles and Awards
After Coronation Street, Roy appeared in a TV show called Mother's Ruin (1994). He also made a guest appearance in Last of the Summer Wine (2005) and other TV shows like Casualty (1999), Peak Practice (1994 and 2001), Funland (2005), and Heartbeat (2005).
In 2009, he played a vicar in the BBC drama All the Small Things. From 2012 to 2013, he played Maurice in Last Tango in Halifax. In 2016, he appeared in a special episode of Are You Being Served? as Mr Grainger.
On stage, Roy Barraclough performed in musicals like The Boy Friend and Gypsy. He also acted in serious plays and Christmas shows, including playing Santa Claus in a musical.
In 2006, Roy Barraclough was given a special award called a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This award recognized his great work in drama and his charity efforts in the North West of England.
Passing Away
Roy Barraclough passed away at the age of 81 on June 1, 2017. He died in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, after a short illness.
Movies Roy Was In
- The Slipper and the Rose (1976) – He played a Tailor
- Car Trouble (1986) – He played a Man with Dog
