William Simons obit

Heartbeat actor William Simons dies aged 79

 

He was not on the list.

Heartbeat actor William Simons, who charmed Sunday evening viewers for nearly two decades as easygoing veteran PC Alf Ventress, has died aged 79.

Welsh-born Simons played the character in all 18 series of the 1960s-set show.

He also appeared in Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Crown Court and Last of the Summer Wine during his 60-year career.

His agent said: "He was a wonderful, kind, warm, witty, lovely human being and anyone who ever worked with him or knew him will be devastated."

Jason Durr, who appeared alongside Simons in Heartbeat paid tribute to the "lovely man".

Simons, who was born in Swansea, was already 51 when he landed the biggest role of his career, playing Alf Ventress when Heartbeat first landed on TV screens in 1992 as a prime-time vehicle for former EastEnders star and chart-topping singer Nick Berry.

Berry played a young London constable who moved north with his family and encountered Ventress as one of the colleagues who helped him build a new life while fighting crime in a rural setting.

The show, set in the fictional Yorkshire villages of Ashfordly and Aidensfield, attracted more than 13 million viewers and saw guest appearances by Gary Barlow, Charlotte Church, Lulu, and David Dickinson - and Yorkshire's legendary cricket umpire Dickie Bird.

Simons was very popular with viewers and his character continued to appear in the show as a civilian even after he retired from the force.

And when ITV launched a spin-off show called The Royal, he was asked to play Ventress in six episodes.

According to the Yorkshire Post, Simons enjoyed his role in Heartbeat so much that he bought a house in the village of Goathland, where much of the show's filming took place.

But he sold it 14 years later, explaining in an interview with the Daily Express that Goathland had become so popular with tourists drawn by the Heartbeat factor that "it was impossible to step outside without being recognised".

Changing Faces

As a teenage actor, Simons had suffered so badly from acne that he gave up his acting career for a few years and instead got a job as a stage manager.

So as soon as he became a major star on Heartbeat, he became a patron for the Changing Faces charity, which supports people with facial disfigurements.

Heartbeat was based on the Constable series of novels written by ex-policeman Peter N Walker, under the pseudonym Nicholas Rhea.

In an interview before his death in 2017, Walker said Simons had "created a totally believable character, just as I imagined him".

Actor

Casualty (1986)

Casualty

6.1

TV Series

Jacob Hinter

2014

1 episode

 

Nick Berry in Heartbeat (1992)

Heartbeat

6.9

TV Series

Alf Ventress

PC Alf Ventress

1992–2009

355 episodes

 

The Royal (2003)

The Royal

7.5

TV Series

PC Alf Ventress

2003–2004

6 episodes

 

Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1995)

Tales of Mystery and Imagination

6.2

TV Series

Montresor (as Bill Simon)

1995

1 episode

 

Patrick Malahide and William Simons in Alleyn Mysteries (1990)

Alleyn Mysteries

7.6

TV Series

Inspector Fox

1990–1994

9 episodes

 

Haggard (1990)

Haggard

6.4

TV Series

Landlord

1990–1992

6 episodes

 

Ian McShane in Lovejoy (1986)

Lovejoy

7.8

TV Series

Dave Goodis

1992

2 episodes

 

Adam Faith and Zoë Wanamaker in Love Hurts (1992)

Love Hurts

7.3

TV Series

Eddie Boyd (as William Simmons)

1992

1 episode

 

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Pam Ferris, Philip Franks, and David Jason in The Darling Buds of May (1991)

The Darling Buds of May

7.8

TV Series

Ted Watson

1992

2 episodes

 

Colin Blumenau, Nula Conwell, Peter Ellis, Trudie Goodwin, Jon Iles, Gary Olsen, Eric Richard, John Salthouse, Tony Scannell, Jeff Stewart, Mark Wingett, and Delia Swan in The Bill (1984)

The Bill

6.7

TV Series

Michael McGee

Ch. Supt. Pearson

1989–1992

2 episodes

 

Jan Francis and Dennis Waterman in Stay Lucky (1989)

Stay Lucky

7.3

TV Series

Bill Clark

1991

1 episode

 

He-Play (1990)

He-Play

6.5

TV Series

Father

1990

1 episode

 

Boon (1986)

Boon

6.4

TV Series

Tom, Prison Warder

Appleby

1986–1990

2 episodes

 

Pauline Moran in The Woman in Black (1989)

The Woman in Black

7.1

TV Movie

John Keckwick

1989

 

George Baker, Keith Barron, John Castle, and Amanda Redman in Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1987)

Ruth Rendell Mysteries

6.8

TV Series

Det. Insp. Michael Baker

1989

3 episodes

 

David Jason and Gwen Taylor in A Bit of a Do (1989)

A Bit of a Do

7.1

TV Series

Dale Monsal

1989

2 episodes

 

Julian Glover, Jane Asher, Kate Buffery, and Suzanna Hamilton in Wish Me Luck (1987)

Wish Me Luck

7.7

TV Series

Josef

1989

7 episodes

 

Terence Alexander, Sean Arnold, Annette Badland, Deborah Grant, Lindsay Heath, Celia Imrie, David Kershaw, Geoffrey Leesley, Thérèse Liotard, Nancy Mansfield, Tony Melody, John Nettles, Cécile Paoli, John Telfer, and Mela White in Bergerac (1981)

Bergerac

6.8

TV Series

Chater

1988

1 episode

 

Peter Adamson, Jean Alexander, Johnny Briggs, Margot Bryant, and Doris Speed in Coronation Street (1960)

Coronation Street

5.6

TV Series

Jim Cawley

Harry Bates

James Peck

1968–1987

5 episodes

 

Rik Mayall in The New Statesman (1987)

The New Statesman

7.8

TV Series

Catchpole

1987

1 episode

 

Rumpole of the Bailey (1978)

Rumpole of the Bailey

8.4

TV Series

Det. Sgt. Wilmer

1987

1 episode

 

Death Is Part of the Process (1986)

Death Is Part of the Process

TV Movie

Erasmus

1986

 

Timothy Spall, Christopher Fairbank, Tim Healy, Gary Holton, Jimmy Nail, Pat Roach, and Kevin Whately in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983)

Auf Wiedersehen, Pet

8.5

TV Series

Gamekeeper

1986

1 episode

 

Juliet Bravo (1980)

Juliet Bravo

6.7

TV Series

Chief Superintendent Jim Catley

1985

1 episode

 

Time for Murder (1985)

Time for Murder

6.4

TV Series

Arthur Henry Strapp

1985

1 episode

 

A Month in the Country (1985)

A Month in the Country

TV Movie

Matvey

1985

 

Late Starter (1985)

Late Starter

8.0

TV Series

Mr. Baxter

1985

1 episode

 

Dempsey and Makepeace (1985)

Dempsey and Makepeace

7.3

TV Series

Tennant

1985

1 episode

 

Simon Cadell, George Cole, Geraldine James, Julia McKenzie, and David Suchet in Blott on the Landscape (1985)

Blott on the Landscape

7.6

TV Mini Series

Jackson

1985

1 episode

 

Aaron Brown and Michael Elphick in Bird Fancier (1985)

Bird Fancier

8.7

TV Movie

Tom Reagan

1985

 

Pope John Paul II (1984)

Pope John Paul II

6.6

TV Movie

Foreman Krauze

1984

 

George Cole in Minder (1979)

Minder

7.8

TV Series

Pongo Harris

1984

1 episode

 

Cockles (1984)

Cockles

6.8

TV Series

Mr. Starvey

1984

1 episode

 

Penelope Wilton in The Tale of Beatrix Potter (1983)

The Tale of Beatrix Potter

8.4

TV Movie

1983

 

Paul McGann, David Daker, Robert Lindsay, and Shirin Taylor in Give us a Break (1983)

Give us a Break

8.0

TV Series

Tommy Buck

1983

2 episodes

 

Being Normal

TV Movie

Richard

1983

 

Ian Richardson in Number 10 (1983)

Number 10

8.6

TV Mini Series

Parslow

1983

1 episode

 

Don Henderson, Diane Keen, Peter Sallis, and Don Warrington in Crown Court (1972)

Crown Court

7.3

TV Series

Martin O'Connor QC

Martin O'Connor

Martin O'Conner ...

1972–1983

57 episodes

 

Ian Holm and Tessa Peake-Jones in The Bell (1982)

The Bell

8.1

TV Series

Mark Strafford

1982

4 episodes

 

Alan Dobie in Cribb (1980)

Cribb

7.7

TV Series

Constable Thackeray

1980–1981

13 episodes

 

Play for Today (1970)

Play for Today

7.8

TV Series

Doctor

Martin

1975–1979

2 episodes

 

ITV Playhouse (1967)

ITV Playhouse

6.9

TV Series

Harvey

George

Cowley ...

1969–1979

8 episodes

 

The BBC Television Shakespeare (1978)

The BBC Television Shakespeare

8.1

TV Series

Trebonius

1979

1 episode

 

John Thaw and Dennis Waterman in The Sweeney (1975)

The Sweeney

8.1

TV Series

Maurice Pope

1978

1 episode

 

Jack Smethurst in Parables (1978)

Parables

TV Series

Chairman

1978

1 episode

 

Enemy at the Door (1978)

Enemy at the Door

7.9

TV Series

Kapitanleutnant Erlich

1978

1 episode

 

Paul McGann, Colin Baker, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, William Hartnell, Sylvester McCoy, Jon Pertwee, and Patrick Troughton in Doctor Who (1963)

Doctor Who

8.4

TV Series

Mandrel

1977

4 episodes

 

Michael Culver, Jan Francis, Juliet Hammond, Terrence Hardiman, Bernard Hepton, Angela Richards, Clifford Rose, and Stephen Yardley in Secret Army (1977)

Secret Army

8.5

TV Series

Lebrun

1977

1 episode

 

Mark Kingston and Carmel McSharry in Beryl's Lot (1973)

Beryl's Lot

7.7

TV Series

Policeman

1977

1 episode

 

Bruce Boa, Stuart Damon, Meg Johnson, and Peter Sallis in Yanks Go Home (1976)

Yanks Go Home

5.9

TV Series

Jack Sankey

1977

1 episode

 

Snacker

TV Series

Peter Harris

1976

7 episodes

 

Emmerdale Farm (1972)

Emmerdale Farm

4.8

TV Series

Will Croft

1976

6 episodes

 

The Legend of Robin Hood (1975)

The Legend of Robin Hood

7.2

TV Mini Series

Thurkill

1975

1 episode

 

Churchill's People (1974)

Churchill's People

5.8

TV Series

Hair Face

1975

1 episode

 

Notorious Woman (1974)

Notorious Woman

8.9

TV Mini Series

Theo

1974

1 episode

 

David Allister, Anthony Bate, and William Simons in Heil Caesar! (1973)

Heil Caesar!

7.6

TV Series

Casca

1973

3 episodes

 

Wessex Tales (1973)

Wessex Tales

6.8

TV Mini Series

Jones

1973

1 episode

 

Sam (1973)

Sam

8.1

TV Series

Hanson

1973

1 episode

 

Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, and Anna Calder-Marshall in ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969)

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

6.0

TV Series

Fred

Chris Payer

1971–1972

2 episodes

 

Country Matters (1972)

Country Matters

7.2

TV Series

Jesse (as Bill Simons)

1972

1 episode

 

Pretenders (1972)

Pretenders

6.9

TV Series

Vagg

1972

1 episode

 

A Family at War (1970)

A Family at War

7.7

TV Series

Army Chaplain (as Bill Simons)

1972

1 episode

 

Cyril Luckham in The Guardians (1971)

The Guardians

8.2

TV Series

Quarmby

1971

1 episode

 

Angela Down, Liza Goddard, and Susan Jameson in Take Three Girls (1969)

Take Three Girls

8.0

TV Series

Teddy

1971

1 episode

 

Gerald Harper in Hadleigh (1969)

Hadleigh

7.5

TV Series

Merton

1971

1 episode

 

ITV Play of the Week (1955)

ITV Play of the Week

6.8

TV Series

Robert

Johnny Ridell

Petterson

1958–1970

3 episodes

 

Peter Egan and Ray McAnally in Spindoe (1968)

Big Breadwinner Hog

7.6

TV Series

Man (as Bill Simons)

1969

1 episode

 

Mr. Rose (1967)

Mr. Rose

8.0

TV Series

Landlord

1968

1 episode

 

Emergency-Ward 10 (1957)

Emergency-Ward 10

6.2

TV Series

Technician

1967

1 episode

 

Escape by Night (1963)

Escape by Night

6.2

Guard Outside Barn (uncredited)

1963

 

The Old Curiosity Shop

7.3

TV Mini Series

Abel Garland

1962–1963

6 episodes

 

The Last Man Out

TV Series

Philippe Perrot

1962

1 episode

 

Mystery Submarine (1962)

Mystery Submarine

6.7

Leading Seaman Grant

1962

 

Top Secret (1961)

Top Secret

7.1

TV Series

Pepe

1962

1 episode

 

Louis Hayward in The Pursuers (1961)

The Pursuers

7.7

TV Series

Benny Trotter

1961

1 episode

 

On the Fiddle (1961)

On the Fiddle

5.7

Private (uncredited)

1961

 

ITV Television Playhouse (1955)

ITV Television Playhouse

7.9

TV Series

German youth #2

Chipperfield

Francois ...

1955–1961

4 episodes

 

Probation Officer (1959)

Probation Officer

7.3

TV Series

Bill Fletcher

Terry

1959–1960

2 episodes

 

Francis Storm Investigates

TV Series

Robin

1960

6 episodes

 

Three Golden Nobles

TV Series

Hubert Bellinger

1959

1 episode

 

Jo's Boys

TV Series

Franz

1959

7 episodes

 

Starr and Company

TV Series

Teenage boy

1958

1 episode

 

From Cover to Cover

TV Series

Boy

1958

1 episode

 

Paul Streather and Anthony Bryant in Rex Milligan (1956)

Rex Milligan

TV Series

Alfie Cutforth

1956

6 episodes

 

Not So Dusty (1956)

Not So Dusty

5.1

Derek

1956

 

A Letter for Wales (1960)

Capital Visit

6.0

Short

Commentary Speaker (voice)

1955

 

London Playhouse

TV Series

Rodney Ireland

1955

1 episode

 

Tales of Hans Anderson

7.6

TV Series

Hans

1955

2 episodes

 

Bobby in France

TV Series

Bobby

1955

6 episodes

 

Miss Patterson

TV Movie

Gaston

1955

 

Benbow and the Angels

TV Series

Andrew

1955

6 episodes

 

Heidi Grows Up

TV Mini Series

Peter

1954

3 episodes

 

The Smith Family

TV Movie

Tony

1954

 

The Gentle Falcon

TV Series

A page

1954

1 episode

 

The Secret Way

TV Movie

Peter

1954

 

Sheila Sim and Anthony Steel in West of Zanzibar (1954)

West of Zanzibar

5.6

Tim Payton

1954

 

A Castle and Sixpence

TV Mini Series

Christopher Sixpence

1954

5 episodes

 

The Persian Kitten

TV Movie

Tinker

1953

 

A Loan from Lorenzo

TV Movie

Richard, Duke of Gloucester

1953

 

Crash of Silence (1952)

Crash of Silence

7.4

Boy Holding Ball (uncredited)

1952

 

Treasure Hunt (1952)

Treasure Hunt

5.2

Apollo (uncredited)

1952

 

Ivory Hunter (1951)

Ivory Hunter

6.2

Tim Payton

1951

 

Midnight Episode (1950)

Midnight Episode

6.6

Michael

1950

 

Prelude to Fame (1950)

Prelude to Fame

6.3

Boy (uncredited)

1950