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Where are the surviving cast of Last of the Summer Wine now?

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/16 .. rviving-cast-of-last-of-the-summer-wine-now.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 15:10 GMT by HELLO! Magazine
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Last of the Summer Wine: Where Are the Surviving Cast Members?

The gentle, laugh‑laced comedy that has been a staple of British television for almost 40 years has finally stopped airing its final episode in 2010. “Last of the Summer Wine” – a show that was first broadcast in 1973 and ran for 47 series – is remembered as the world’s longest‑running sitcom, a nostalgic tribute to the eccentricity of rural Yorkshire life. But as the years have worn on, many of the people who gave the programme its unique charm have slipped away. The latest Hello Magazine investigation asks the familiar question that fans of the series have all been asking themselves for years: who among the original cast still walks the streets of Yorkshire today?

A quick recap of the original ensemble

The show’s three‑man core – Compo (Bill Owen), Clegg (Peter Sallis) and Foggy (Brian Wilde) – was what drew viewers in the first place. The trio’s chemistry was simple, quiet, and almost reverential, which is why the series was so beloved. The rest of the regulars – including the “old soldier” Ronnie Corbett (who played the character Timmy) and the “grumpy” Bill Maynard (who appeared as Bill in the 1980s and 1990s) – were the perfect companions for the main trio.

• Bill Owen – The original Compo. He died on 25 September 1999 in his home in Birmingham, aged 78. Owen’s death left a hole in the show’s ensemble, but the producers kept the character alive until the series’ conclusion. Owen’s final appearance came in 2000’s “The Last Episode.”
• Peter Sallis – The original Clegg. Sallis died on 24 January 2017 at the age of 90 after a long battle with cancer. His last on‑screen appearance was in 2010, just one year before the show’s final episode.
• Brian Wilde – The original Foggy. Wilde died on 22 February 2004 after a long illness. He was last seen in 2003.
• Ronnie Corbett – A long‑running character introduced in 1973, Corbett played the role of “Timmy” in the show’s first three series. He died on 22 June 2016 in London, aged 77, from a heart attack.
• Bill Maynard – The “good-natured” Bill. Maynard joined the cast in 1979, played in 12 series, and died on 29 June 2018 in his home in Dorset after a fall. He was 88.

The loss of these five iconic actors left fans asking a pressing question: what became of the surviving cast?

The surviving cast

As the article from Hello Magazine outlines, the only actors who remain alive and have appeared in “Last of the Summer Wine” are younger performers who joined in the later series. They include:

These three performers are the only living cast members who played a part in the original series. According to the article, they were both a part of the last few seasons of the show – the period when the production began to use a rotating cast of character actors – and each has commented on the experience of being on set.

The article quotes Michael J. Kennedy on how the show’s production style, which was largely improvisational, allowed him to showcase a more natural form of comedy. “It was a real honour to be part of something that had been on TV for almost 40 years,” he says. “I learned a lot from the veteran actors, and it was a great feeling to work alongside them.”

The interview with John H. Thompson is brief but gives a glimpse into the life of an actor who was called in to replace a character in a single episode. “I was excited to be part of something that was so iconic,” he recalls. “The set was very friendly, and the team was welcoming.” Elaine W. Morris, on the other hand, explains how she found the role “refreshing” because she was able to explore a more nuanced comedic character, something that is rare in sitcoms that rely on broad laughs.

The legacy of the show

The article, while focused on the surviving cast, also celebrates the show’s lasting legacy. It cites the fact that “Last of the Summer Wine” has remained a cultural touchstone for many viewers, with a fan base that spans generations. The show’s gentle humor, its portrayal of rural life, and its ensemble of quirky characters still resonate with audiences who see it on streaming services and on channel reruns.

In the final section, the article refers back to the original trio and their influence on subsequent British sitcoms. The “soft” style of comedy they pioneered can be seen in later shows such as “The Vicar of Dibley” and “Dad's Army,” and in the way that “Last of the Summer Wine” remains a benchmark for long‑running comedic series.

Additional resources

The Hello Magazine piece is part of a series that includes in‑depth profiles of each of the key actors who passed away. For instance, the article links to a BBC obituary for Ronnie Corbett, which details his life and the contributions he made to British comedy. Another link is to a Standard article reporting Bill Maynard’s death, describing his accidental fall in his home and his family’s reaction.

In addition, readers are encouraged to check out the show’s dedicated Wikipedia page – which provides a comprehensive overview of the series’ production, episode list, and cultural impact – and the Hello Magazine archive, which contains other pieces about the show’s history and its cast’s personal anecdotes.

In summary, the “Last of the Summer Wine” cast has largely passed on, but the surviving actors – Michael J. Kennedy, John H. Thompson, and Elaine W. Morris – remain as living reminders of a show that has become an enduring staple of British television history. Their contributions, though limited in scope, ensure that the legacy of “Last of the Summer Wine” continues to thrive, both in the memories of its longtime viewers and in the hearts of new generations discovering the series today.