Tony Capstick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Capstick
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Joseph Anthony Capstick
27 July 1944 Rotherham, West Riding of Yorkshire England
|
| Died | 23 October 2003 (aged 59) Hoober, Wentworth, South Yorkshire, England
|
| Years active | 1972–2003 |
Joseph Anthony Capstick (born July 27, 1944 – died October 23, 2003) was a talented English comedian, actor, musician, and radio presenter. He was known for his humor and his work on radio and television.
Contents
Life and Career Highlights
Tony Capstick was born in Rotherham, England. He grew up in Swinton, a town near Mexborough. His father, Joe Capstick, worked as a radio operator in the RAF.
Tony became a well-known voice on BBC Radio Sheffield, where he worked for over thirty years. He also presented a folk music show called Folkweave on BBC Radio 2 in the 1970s.
Many people outside Sheffield might remember him as one of the policemen in the popular British TV show Last of the Summer Wine. He played this role until he passed away in 2003. His last appearance on the show was shown in April 2004.
Music and Comedy
Tony Capstick was a regular performer in the folk scene. He recorded several music albums. In 1981, he had a big hit song called "The Sheffield Grinder" / "Capstick Comes Home." This song reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. He recorded it with the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band.
His spoken-word piece, "Capstick Comes Home," was inspired by the famous Hovis bread TV adverts. These adverts were directed by the well-known filmmaker Ridley Scott.
As a comedian, Tony had his own eight-part TV series called Capstick's Capers on Channel 4 in 1983. He also appeared in small acting roles in popular TV soap operas like Emmerdale and Coronation Street. In Coronation Street, he played a character named Harvey Nuttall, who worked as a brewer.
Tony's career at Radio Sheffield ended in January 2003. He also wrote a regular column for a local newspaper, the Rotherham Advertiser. He co-wrote a book about the Appleby Horse Fair with Paul Donoghue.
Later Life and Passing
Tony Capstick was found at his home in Hoober, near Wentworth, South Yorkshire, on October 23, 2003. He had suffered a sudden health problem called an aneurysm after being ill with pneumonia. He was survived by his wife, Gillian, and his two children from his first marriage.
Music and TV Appearances
Selected Music
- His Round (with Hedgehog Pie), 1971
- "Capstick Comes Home" / "The Sheffield Grinder," 1981 (reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart)
Selected TV Roles
- 1989: Resurrected as a Photographer
- Last of the Summer Wine as a Policeman
- Emmerdale (various roles)
- Coronation Street as Harvey Nuttall
