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Best remembered as 'M' in the James Bond films, Bernard Lee was a popular character player in British films throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Born into a theatrical family, he made his stage debut at age six and later attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He first appeared on the West End stage in London in 1928, and continued to work in the theatre during the 1930s, taking only occasional film roles.

It was only after World War II that he concentrated his efforts on the cinema, and was much in demand in British films of the 1950s as friendly authority figures, including army sergeants, police detectives or navy officers. Detectives became a particular specialty, and he played this role in more than a dozen films, including The Blue Lamp (1950), Beat the Devil (1953) and The Detective (1954). In the early 1960s, he also made regular appearances as police detectives in the The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre (1959) second feature series, usually as "Inspector Meredith". He also made memorable appearances in The Third Man (1949), Operation Disaster (1950), Glory at Sea (1952), Pursuit of the Graf Spee (1956), Dunkirk (1958) and Whistle Down the Wind (1961).

He was effectively cast against type in only two films, as the union agitator in The Angry Silence (1960), and as a disgruntled civil servant who becomes a spy for the Russians in Ring of Treason (1964).

In 1962, he made his first appearance as the head of the British secret service in the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962). He went on to be featured in the next ten films in the series, appearing with Sean Connery, George Lazenby and, later, Roger Moore as Bond, and will probably be considered the definitive "M" by more than one generation of Bond fans.

Although Jane Freeman will forever be associated with the redoubtable cafe owner Ivy in Roy Clarke's long-running Last of the Summer Wine - appearing in 274 episodes over a 37-year run and a 1983 stage version - she was also an actor of considerable resources who remained steadfastly committed to the theatre.

If Clarke's BBC hit comedy overshadowed Freeman's later career, she was at pains not to be confined by it, appearing in regional rep, national tours and pantomimes throughout its long television life.

Born in Brentford, near London, she moved to Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, when her mother remarried, her father having died in an accident when she was nine. There she developed an early interest in performing at school. After graduating from the City of Cardiff [now Royal Welsh] College of Music and Drama in 1955, she moved to London before joining the Gloucestershire-based all-female Osiris Repertory Theatre touring company.

In 1958 she joined the Arena Theatre, Sutton Coldfield, where she began to attract attention, and was seen as Margaret More in the inaugural production of the Welsh Theatre Company, Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons, at the New Theatre, Cardiff in 1962.

As a member of Birmingham Rep between 1968 and 1973, she toured to Chicago and made notable appearances in Edward Bond's Saved and the musical Guys and Dolls, and as Maggie Hobson in Harold Brighouse's Hobson's Choice.

When television filming commitments allowed, she could be found playing a number of strong, usually northern, matriarchs in Billy Liar (Nottingham Playhouse, 1980), touring productions of JB Priestley's When We Are Married and Michael Frayn's Noises Off (1987) and Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke's Situation Comedy (1989).

She scored a personal success as the sharp-tongued Emma Hornett in Philip King and Falkland Carey's Sailor Beware! at the Lyric, Hammersmith (1991), subsequently touring with it in 1992 and 1993.

Later theatre appearances included Pam Gems' Deborah's Daughter (Library Theatre, Manchester, 1994) and tours of William Ash's adaptation of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights in 1995 and again in 1998.

She made her television debut in Troy Kennedy-Martin and John McGrath's Marriage, directed by Ken Loach, in 1964. Her Play for Today appearances included Peter Terson's The Fishing Party (1972) and Alan Bleasdale's Scully's New Year's Eve (1978). Other notable credits included Roy Clarke's Of Funerals and Fish (1973), Blackadder (1982) and Mrs Kimble in Silas Marner (1985).

Her few film appearances included Scrubbers (1982), directed by Mai Zetterling.

She was married to Michael Simpson, the former artistic director of Birmingham Rep, from 1971 until his death in December 2007.

Jane Freeman died of lung cancer on March 9, 2017, aged 81.

John Bardon was born on 25 August 1939 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for EastEnders (1985), Clockwise (1986) and Fierce Creatures (1997). He was married to Enda Gates. He died on 12 September 2014 in Romford, London, England, UK.

Michael Barrington (3 July 1924 - 5 June 1988) was a British actor best known for his television work. His best-remembered role is as the ineffectual Governor Venables in the popular sitcom Porridge, which featured Ronnie Barker in the lead role.

Born in Middlesex, England, both his parents died when he was 16. His plans to train as a veterinarian were interrupted by Second World War service in a munitions factory and the Royal Engineers. After the war he decided to become an actor and trained at the Birmingham School of Drama. He then appeared in repertory theatres and at the Vaudeville Theatre in Salad Days.

In addition to Porridge Barrington also appeared in Z Cars (1962), The Avengers, Private Schulz, Adam Adamant Lives!, and in the Doctor Who story The Seeds of Doom, as Sir Colin Thackeray. He was cast as Sir Robert Peel in the 1975 English miniseries King Edward VII.

He was married to actress Barbara New until his death from a heart attack on 5 June 1988, aged 63 in London, following many years of ill health due to lung disease. He was buried in the East London Cemetery and Crematorium.

Babette Langford was born in July 1930 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. Babette is known for The Paul Daniels Magic Show (1979). Babette was previously married to Donald Langford.

Roger was the son of George Hume, former general manager of the William Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford. Started off as an ASM, and crewed on films. Extensive theatre experience, including his own one-man shows "Old Herbaceous", "Winston" and "Please Sir". Also frequent appearances on radio, notably as Bert Fry in "The Archers". Married at Chesterfield to Anne Preus in February 1968. Two sons, Oliver (born 1970) and Dan (born 1972).

Donald Bisset was born on 3 August 1910 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Ragtime (1981), Doctor Who (1963) and The Rise and Fall of César Birotteau (1965). He died on 10 August 1995 in London, England, UK.

Jeffrey Gardiner was born in 1927 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He is an actor, known for Small World (1988), The Mind of the Enemy (1965) and The Andromeda Breakthrough (1962).

Maureen Crombie was born on the 6th January 1943 as Maureen Blott. She graduated from RADA in 1962 and went straight into the play 'Believe it or Not' at a theatre in Coventry. Then into films where on the set of 'Joey Boy' she met 'Steptoe and Son' actor Harry H Corbett whom she later married. They had two children together, a son Jon and a daughter Susannah who went on to be an actress and writer of children's books. Susannah also wrote the excellent biography of her father, 'The Front Legs of the Cow'.

Maureen had suffered from cancer for a number of years and finally succumbed at home in November 1999 surrounded by her family.

Colin Rix was born on 3 March 1932 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Eye of the Needle (1981), The Avengers (1961) and Chain (1990). He was married to Greeta Pedlingham. He died on 11 November 2013 in Newcastle, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK.

John Richardson was born on 10 June 1946 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He is a production manager, known for Aliens (1986), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007).

Annabelle Lee was born on 24 July 1930 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Moonstone (1959), Good Wives (1958) and Jo's Boys (1959). She was married to Richard Carpenter. She died on 5 March 2018 in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, UK.

Celia Quicke was born in 1947 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Microbes and Men (1974), House of Whipcord (1974) and Against the Crowd (1975).

Edward Brooks was born in 1928 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Long Chase (1972), Poldark (1975) and Six Days of Justice (1972). He was married to Sheila Stones. He died on 13 December 2010 in Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, UK.

Dusty Symonds was born on 3 May 1944 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. She is an assistant director and producer, known for Superman (1978), The Phantom of the Opera (2004) and Event Horizon (1997). She was previously married to Virginia Harris.

Elayne Sharling was born in 1946 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Timon of Athens (1981), The Beggar's Opera (1983) and The Gemini Factor (1987).

James Carreras was born on 30 January 1909 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was a producer and production manager, known for Who Killed Van Loon? (1948). He was married to Vera St. John Smart. He died on 9 June 1990 in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, UK.

Sally Mates was born in 1943 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Les Misérables (2012), Mother & Wild (2022) and 1984 (1984).

Ian Goddard was born in 1937 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was a production manager and assistant director, known for Mad Max (1979), Dead End Drive-In (1986) and Paper Tiger (1975). He was married to Pauline Coe. He died in 2002 in Isle of Wight, England, UK.

Anthony Verner was born in 1937 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He is an actor and director, known for The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1966), Pathfinders (1972) and At the Earth's Core (1976).

Evangeline Harrison was born in 1934 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. She is a costume designer, known for Superman III (1983), Get Carter (1971) and Love for Lydia (1977). She has been married to John Ralph since 2001. She was previously married to Philip Harrison.

John T. Chapman was born on 27 May 1927 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was a writer and actor, known for Not Now Darling (1973), Kraft Theatre (1947) and Satan in High Heels (1962). He was married to Betty Impey. He died on 3 September 2001 in Périgueux, Dordogne, France.

Tony Bazell was born on 30 October 1914 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Adventure in Blackmail (1942), Are You Being Served in Australia? (1980) and The Gentle Sex (1943). He died on 18 March 1986 in Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia.

Anne Butler was born on 7 February 1936 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. She was an actress and writer, known for Shoestring Theatre (1959), Seaway (1965) and Os Toiros de Mary Foster (1972). She was married to Walter Massey and James Swan. She died on 29 December 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Peter Munt was born in 1926 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Willow (1988), Barry Lyndon (1975) and A Room with a View (1985). He died on 7 September 2011 in Dorchester, Dorset, England, UK.