Tonia bern biography of william

Heartbeat actor Bill Maynard has died in hospital at the age of 89, after breaking his hip in a fall from his mobility scooter.

Maynard, real name Walter Williams, was best known for playing Claude Jeremiah Greengrass for eight years in the long-running TV series, which was watched by up to 18 million at its peak.

He also starred in five Carry On films and s TV shows The Gaffer, Worzel Gummidge and Minder.

Maynard initially retired from acting in after suffering a number of strokes, but returned to his role in Heartbeat spin-off The Royal in

He chose his stage name as a reference to the makers of wine gum sweets.

His daughter-in-law, actress Jacqueline Reddin, said: "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."

Maynard, who was born in Surrey but lived most of his life in Leicestershire, leaves a son and daughter, five grandchildren and three great