Leonard Fenton obit

BBC EastEnders Dot Cotton icon June Brown leads tribute as co-star Leonard Fenton dies aged 95

The actor will be best known among the BBC One's soaps loyal fans for playing Walford's much-loved GP

 

He was not on the list.

EastEnders star Leonard Fenton has died at the age of 95.

The actor will be best known among the BBC One's soaps loyal fans for playing Walford's much-loved GP, Dr Harold Legg.

He appeared in the first episode of EastEnders in February 1985, with his last scenes airing in 2019.

A statement from his family confirmed the sad news.

It read: "The family of the actor Leonard Fenton are heartbroken to announce his death at the age of 95 on Saturday January 29. Best known for his role as Dr Legg on EastEnders, Leonard’s acting career spanned more than 60 years.

"He worked in TV and film and his long stage career included time at the National Theatre and most recently the Royal Shakespeare Company. He felt privileged to have worked with some of the greats of the theatre, including Samuel Beckett, Orson Welles and Jonathan Miller.

"His passion for painting and singing pre-dated his acting career and was equally as important to him. He will be missed beyond words by his family.

"We feel incredibly lucky to have been able to be with him as his health worsened towards the end – a privilege denied to so many during these tough times."

An EastEnders spokesperson added: "We are deeply saddened to hear that Leonard has passed away.

"Since appearing in the very first episode of EastEnders, Leonard created a truly iconic character in Doctor Legg who will always be remembered.

"Our love and thoughts are with Leonard’s family and friends."

He appeared in a total of 267 episodes of EastEnders, with viewers saying a final farewell to his character in 2019.

The character was a close friend of Dot Cotton, played by the legendary June Brown, as he entertained her hypochondria and seemingly endless list of ailments.

EastEnders actress June has paid tribute to her co-star.

Brown played Dot Cotton, who was a regular patient of Dr Legg in the soap.

She said in a statement: "I first met Leonard as Dr Legg when I joined the cast of EastEnders as Dot, his hypochondriac patient, in 1985. He was a charming man in all ways, first as a person and then as an actor, extremely polite and kind.

"I enjoyed working with him enormously for many years and missed him when he retired. I was glad that I’d been with him for his last scene with Dot at his bedside and my thoughts are with his devoted family."

Other members of the cast have also remembered Fenton, with Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler, saying: “I had the pleasure to work with Leonard. He was utterly charming, continuously joked with me and loved talking about his past.

"I feel honoured that our paths crossed. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

Cathy Beale ctress Gillian Taylforth said: "I'm so sorry to hear the very sad news about Leonard. He was a lovely, charming man who was so kind and always told the most wonderful stories. I send my love and condolences to his family. RIP dear Leonard."

Fenton's subsequent television credits included Rumpole of the Bailey; So You Think You've Got Troubles (1991); Love Hurts (1993) and The Bill (1985; 2001; 2005), among others. In the West End, he performed in two productions by Lindsay Anderson, Anton Chekhov's The Seagull and Ben Travers' last play, The Bed Before Yesterday. He has performed numerous radio plays, including The Hobbit as the Elvenking, and The Lord of the Rings as Daddy Twofoot, both for BBC Radio 4. Amongst Fenton's other broadcasting work has been the BBC webcast of the Doctor Who story Death Comes to Time.[6] On 17 February 2006, he made a personal appearance on the Channel 4 entertainment show, The Friday Night Project. His film credits included roles in Up the Creek (1958), The Devil-Ship Pirates (1964), Robin Hood Junior (1975), Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984), Morons from Outer Space (1985), and the British horror movie The Zombie Diaries (2006).

Actor (54 credits)

 1985-2019 EastEnders (TV Series)

Dr. Legg

- Episode dated 15 February 2019 (2019) ... Dr. Legg

- 14 February 2019: Part Two (2019) ... Dr. Legg

- 14 February 2019: Part One (2019) ... Dr. Legg

- 24 January 2019: Part Two (2019) ... Dr. Legg

- Episode dated 21 January 2019 (2019) ... Dr. Legg

2011 Doctors (TV Series)

Mr. Mendelson

- The Last Angel Cake (2011) ... Mr. Mendelson

 2007/I Underground

Terry Page

 2006 Zombie Diaries

Bill

 2005 Shalom (Short)

Granddad

 1985-2005 The Bill (TV Series)

Sammy Pearl / Archie Dodds / Mr. Lee

- 330: Closing Ranks (2005) ... Sammy Pearl

- Lifelines (2001) ... Archie Dodds

- The Sweet Smell of Failure (1985) ... Mr. Lee

 2005/I The Bridge (Short)

Simon

 2001-2002 Doctor Who: Death Comes to Time (TV Mini Series)

Casmus

- Death Comes to Time (2002) ... Casmus (voice)

- No Child of Earth (2002) ... Casmus (voice)

- The Child (2002) ... Casmus (voice)

- Planet of Blood (2002) ... Casmus (voice)

- At the Temple of the Fourth (2001) ... Casmus (voice)

 1998 The Wonderful World of Disney (TV Series)

Magnus Abrams

- Miracle at Midnight (1998) ... Magnus Abrams

 1997 The Lily Savage Show (TV Series)

- Episode #1.6 (1997)

 1993 Love Hurts (TV Series)

Rabbi Zeidel

- For a Few Dollars More (1993) ... Rabbi Zeidel

 1991 So You Think You've Got Troubles (TV Series)

Rabbi Glick

- Getting It Off Your Chest (1991) ... Rabbi Glick

- South of the Border (1991) ... Rabbi Glick

 1984-1985 Shine on Harvey Moon (TV Series)

Erich Gottlieb

- All or Nothing at All (1985) ... Erich Gottlieb

- Love Is Blind (1985) ... Erich Gottlieb

- Mud Sticks... (1985) ... Erich Gottlieb

- Anything Goes... (1985) ... Erich Gottlieb

- Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year (1984) ... Erich Gottlieb

1985 Morons from Outer Space

Commissionaire

 1984 Give My Regards to Broad Street

Company Accountant

 1984 The Brief (TV Series)

Herr Braun

- And Then Where Do You Go? (1984) ... Herr Braun

 1984 Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (TV Series)

German Proprietor

- The Fugitive (1984) ... German Proprietor

 1983 The Fourth Arm (TV Series)

Corporal Jack 'Miff' Moffat

- Episode #1.11 (1983) ... Corporal Jack 'Miff' Moffat

- Episode #1.10 (1983) ... Corporal Jack 'Miff' Moffat

- Episode #1.9 (1983) ... Corporal Jack 'Miff' Moffat

- Episode #1.8 (1983) ... Corporal Jack 'Miff' Moffat

- Episode #1.6 (1983) ... Corporal Jack 'Miff' Moffat

1973-1981 Play for Today (TV Series)

Mr. Smith / Hostage / Maths Master

- A Brush with Mr Porter on the Road to El Dorado (1981) ... Mr. Smith

- A Hole in Babylon (1979) ... Hostage

- Speech Day (1973) ... Maths Master

 1980 Maria Marten or Murder in the Red Barn (TV Series)

Doctor

- Episode #1.3 (1980) ... Doctor

- Episode #1.2 (1980) ... Doctor

- Episode #1.1 (1980) ... Doctor

 1979 Blue Peter Special Assignment (TV Series)

Lockwood Kipling

- Rudyard Kipling at Bateman's (1979) ... Lockwood Kipling (voice)

 1978 Z Cars (TV Series)

Det. Supt. Holiday

- Prey (1978) ... Det. Supt. Holiday

 1978 The Law Centre (TV Series)

The superintendent

- Fly Away, Peter, Fly Away, Paul (1978) ... The superintendent

 1978 Panic (Short)

Policeman

 1977 Secret Army (TV Series)

Driver

- Child's Play (1977) ... Driver

 1975 Robin Hood Junior

Messenger

 1975 The Virtuoso (TV Movie)

Hazard

 1975 A Legacy (TV Series)

Friedrich Merz

- Episode #1.5 (1975) ... Friedrich Merz

- Episode #1.4 (1975) ... Friedrich Merz

- Episode #1.3 (1975) ... Friedrich Merz

- Episode #1.2 (1975) ... Friedrich Merz

- Episode #1.1 (1975) ... Friedrich Merz

 1974 Brown Ale with Gertie (Short)

Charles Gubbins

 1974 The Early Life of Stephen Hind (TV Series)

Edouard

- Episode #1.1 (1974) ... Edouard

 1974 Fall of Eagles (TV Mini Series)

Mirkov

- The Secret War (1974) ... Mirkov

 1974 Justice (TV Series)

Sidney Ryman

- Duty of Care (1974) ... Sidney Ryman

 1974 Colditz (TV Series)

Unterfeldwebel Ernst Krueger

- The Gambler (1974) ... Unterfeldwebel Ernst Krueger

 1973 Jackanory Playhouse (TV Series)

King

- The Long-Nosed Princess (1973) ... King

 1973 Beryl's Lot (TV Series)

Milkman

- Entente Cordiale (1973) ... Milkman

 1973 Second City Firsts (TV Series)

Hymie

- Patrons (1973) ... Hymie

 1973 New Scotland Yard (TV Series)

Station Sergeant

- Property, Dogs & Women (1973) ... Station Sergeant

 1972 The Brothers (TV Series)

Walpole

- A Worm in the Bud (1972) ... Walpole

 1971 Owen, M.D. (TV Series)

Reporter

- A Country Pursuit, Part 2 (1971) ... Reporter

- A Country Pursuit, Part 1 (1971) ... Reporter

 1970 Diamond Crack Diamond (TV Series)

Taxi driver

- Not for Sale (1970) ... Taxi driver

 1967 The Gamblers (TV Series)

Max

- Oil and Water (1967) ... Max

 1967 Half Hour Story (TV Series)

Tom

- Hawks and Doves (1967) ... Tom

 1966 Mrs. Thursday (TV Series)

Vincent

- The Sitting Tenant (1966) ... Vincent

 1964 Catch Hand (TV Series)

Brickie

- It's Only Bricks and Mortar (1964) ... Brickie

 1964 The Devil-Ship Pirates

Quintana

 1963 Moonstrike (TV Series)

Gendarme

- The Factory (1963) ... Gendarme

 1962 BBC Sunday-Night Play (TV Series)

Mr. Johnson

- A Child in the House (1962) ... Mr. Johnson (as Len Fenton)

 1962 Studio 4 (TV Series)

Police Superintendent

- The Intrigue (1962) ... Police Superintendent

 1960 Here Lies Miss Sabry (TV Series)

Cabbie

- The Right People (1960) ... Cabbie

 1960 Scotland Yard (TV Series)

Detective Sergeant Halloran

- Interpol (1960) ... Detective Sergeant Halloran

 1960 Hotel Imperial (TV Series)

Porter

- The Leopardess in 424 (1960) ... Porter

 1959 Third Man on the Mountain (uncredited)

 1959 Breakout

Prison officer (uncredited)

 1958 Up the Creek

Policeman