Derek Benfield

Derek Benfield (11 March 1926 – 10 March 2009) was a British playwright and actor.

He was born in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, and educated at Bingley Grammar School. He was the author of the stage farce ''Running Riot'' and played Patricia Routledge's character's husband in ''Hetty Wainthropp Investigates'' (1996–1998).

Arguably, Benfield's best known character portrayal was as transport company foreman Bill Riley in the UK television series ''The Brothers'' in the early 1970s. Before this, he starred as Frank Skinner in the 1970 cult sci-fi series broadcast on UK ITV, ''Timeslip''. Some of his other television roles included Walter Greenhalgh in ''Coronation Street'' (1961–1969), Albert the Clerk in ''Rumpole of the Bailey'' (1978–80), and characters in ''Breakaway'' (1980) and ''First of the Summer Wine'' (1988).

His film credits include small roles in ''Crossplot'' (1969), ''I Don't Want to Be Born'' (1975) and ''Lifeforce'' (1985). His plays included the farces ''Post Horn Gallop'' and ''Wild Goose Chase'', both about the fictional exploits of the eccentric Lord and Lady Elrood and visitors to their castle.

He also appeared with Colin Baker as John Hallam in the ''Doctor Who'' audio play ''Catch-1782'' produced by Big Finish Productions. Provided by Wikipedia