Duggie Brown

Duggie Brown was best known as one of the regular comics in Granada's popular television series ''The Comedians'' (1971-1993). Due to his success with the show, he became a well known television personality, and was seen on many popular shows of the day including the BBC's ''Stars and Garters'', on which he appeared from 1971-80. From 1995-96, he was one of the team captains on Yorkshire Television's panel show ''Cryer's Crackers''. Brown's acting career began Ken Loach's award-winning film ''Kes'' (1969). Numerous roles followed in standout television plays, including Jack Rosenthal's BAFTA-nominated drama ''Another Sunday and Sweet F.A." (1972), Colin Welland's ''Leeds United'' (1974) and ''The Price of Coal'' (1977), written by Barry Hines and directed by Ken Loach. Brown starred in various television series, notably as Phil Strong in the BBC's detective drama ''The Enigma Files'' (1980). He was the "Captain" of the Saturday morning children's series "The Mersey Pirate" (1979). Over the years, he regularly appeared as a guest character in established TV shows, including ''Crown Court'' (1978), ''All Creatures Great and Small'' (1989), ''Minder'' (1991), ''Last of the Summer Wine" (1997), "Peak Practice'' (1999), ''EastEnders'' (2003), ''Heartbeat'' (2005), and ''Hotel Babylon'' (2006). He briefly joined the cast of Channel 4's soap opera ''Brookside'' as Ray Piper in 1994, and played George Freeman in ''Coronation Street'' in 1997, and Bernie Cooper in 2005. Brown's feature film credits include ''A is for Acid'' (2002) with Martin Clunes, and ''The Jealous God'' (2005) with Denise Welsh. In the theatre, he played "The Fool'' in a nationwide production of Shakespeare's ''King Lear'' (1999). In 2013, he toured the country as Mr. Boo in a critically acclaimed production of ''Little Voice''. Other work included a 40th anniversary tour of ''The Comedians'', and a summer gig at the Blackpool Grand theatre was filmed and released on a best-selling DVD in 2012. Brown was a highly respected after-dinner speaker and was involved in many charity fund-raising events. He was the younger brother actress and singer Lynne Perrie (1931-2006).