Bill Maynard, the veteran actor best known for his roles as loveable rogue Claude Greengrass in Heartbeat and hapless sitcom hero Selwyn Froggitt, has died at the age of 89.
The stage and screen veteran passed away in hospital in Leicestershire after breaking his hip in a recent fall.
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His daughter-in-law, actress Jacqueline Reddin, told the Press Association: "He was larger than life and he just loved showbiz.
"He was so proud of the fact that he had been working for 81 years.
"He leaves a son and daughter, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren."
Born Walter Williams, Maynard began his career as a variety performer and went on to star in a number of his own TV shows including Mostly Maynard, The Life of Riley, Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt and The Gaffer.
He also appeared in the Carry On films, Heartbeat spin-off The Royal, Coronation Street and The Sweeney, presented radio shows, lectured at universities about his career and was a published author.
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Speaking to British newspaper The Daily Express in January 2015, Maynard - then 86 - said: "I've done everything in this business from acting and singing to tap dancing, opera and one-man shows. People can't understand why I still want to work at my age and I tell them it's not work. I love it."
