ROYLE Family actor Geoffrey Hughes, who has played some of television’s most slovenly characters, has taken up a new role as a representative of the real Royal Family.
The Wallasey-born comedy star, who was cast as Twiggy in the BBC sitcom, was appointed as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the Isle of Wight.
He had been a regular visitor to the island, before moving there from Wirral in 2003.
The 65-year-old, who played Coronation Street binman Eddie Yeats for nine years, told the Daily Post he was "absolutely thrilled" to have been asked and said it was "a great honour."
Hughes will deputise at formal engagements for the Lord Lieutenant, the official link between the island and royalty.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesman said: “Mr Hughes, who lives near Newport, was a regular visitor to the island before moving here with his wife, Susan, in 2003.
“Keen on boating, he has an interest in natural history and the island’s bio-diversity and is patron of the Red Squirrel Trust.
“He is also an active supporter of many local charities and organisations, including the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Cowes Inshore Lifeboat, the RNLI and St Mary’s Hospital.”
