Humour is part of life - it’s fun, finding comedy through character

Jan 31 2009 by Peter Elson, Liverpool Daily Post

He’s known as the archetypal hen-pecked husband, but actor Clive Swift hopes he can break out of his shell in a new comedy, reports Peter Elson

CAN Liverpool actor Clive Swift ever erase the memory of his role as Richard Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances?

As one half of the television comedy partnership with Birkenhead’s Patricia Routledge, playing the indomitable snob Hyacinth, he is globally famous.

But, after a lifetime of other roles and years of acting work ahead, even success on this scale can be poisoned chalice of public expectation.

Now Clive, 72, brought up in Wavertree and Southport, hopes to vanquish his hen-picked husband image in Keeping Up with a new comedy on BBC One tonight, The Old Guys.

Among the BBC’s seemingly relentless drive for youth audiences, this is a refreshing antidote as three seasoned troupers play the leads.

Alongside Clive is Roger Lloyd Pack, 64, of Only Fools and Horses fame, and the seemingly ageless Jane Asher, who looks as fabulous as ever at 62.

The Old Guys features two elderly delinquents, Roy (played by Clive), whose feckless friend Tom (played by Roger) has moved in after the former’s divorce.

As two old dogs, they spring to life lusting after mature but sexy neighbour Sally (played by Jane).

Roy is a suburban pensioner and pseudo-intellectual. Tom is a baby-boomer who’s achieved nothing in life, but bristles with expectation now he has a bus pass.

Together, they relentlessly but forlornly lust after their sultry neighbour.

Clive’s first outing as Roy was two years ago in a pilot episode, which was not an entirely satisfactory experience.

With new beefed-up, funnier scripts and more fully-formed characterisation, he is relishing the experience and delighted to be working with Roger and Jane.