Robert Blythe dead – Little Britain, Casualty and Midsomer Murders actor dies aged 71
The actor from Port Talbot in Wales died after a long illness
AN actor who appeared in Little Britain and Midsomer Murders has died.
Robert Blythe, originally from Port Talbot in southern Wales, has died at the age of 71.
Tributes to the veteran actor have poured in from across the theatrical world.
Actor Christian Patterson, who was in the Clwyd Theatr Cymru company with Blythe in 1997, told : “Bob was a wonderful actor and a wonderful man.
“I have starred in many productions with him, and he was an incredibly funny man.
“You know if you were going to be in his company, you were going to end up laughing hysterically.”
Blythe trained at the Arts Educational Trust in London.
He went on to work in many productions in theatres across Britain including at the Haymarket Theatre, Liverpool Playhouse and the Grand Theatre in Swansea.
Blythe also performed in several Shakespeare plays at the Royal National Theatre including Henry IV, along with more contemporary works such as Under Milk Wood.
But he is perhaps best known for his TV work in the series High Hopes in which he played Richard “Fagin” Hepplewhite – an eccentric businessman helped by two boys.
Theatr Clwyd tweeted: “It is with great sadness that we learn about the passing of our dear friend Bob Blythe.
“Bob was a wonderful actor who graced our stages over the last 40 years.
“It was a real privilege to to have worked with him.
“Our thoughts are with his family.”
Blythe, who also appeared on Casualty, was twice married.
He had two daughters with his first wife – actress Iola Gregory, who was also 71 when she died a year ago to the day.
And Blythe had two sons with his second wife, Naomi.
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