Last Of The Summer Wine star Tom Owen dies at the age of 73

Last Of The Summer Wine star Tom Owen has died at the age of 73, his family have confirmed.

The legendary actor is best known for playing Tom Simmonite in the popular and long-running BBC sitcom for 10 years from 2000.

His appearance on the show continued a family tradition after his father, Bill Owen, famously portrayed Compo Simmonite before his death in 1999, with Tom then arriving as his long-lost son.

Sad news: Last Of The Summer Wine star Tom Owen has died at the age of 73, his family have confirmed

His other television credits include The Bill, The Onedin Line and Upstairs Downstairs. In 2018, he also starred in feature film The Bromley Boys.

His family confirmed the sad news of his death on Tuesday as they said he had ‘passed away peacefully’ in a statement.

Tom shares two sons, James and William, with his ex-wife Mary Bernadette Therese Moylan, who he married in 1978.

In a statement, his family said: ‘He passed away peacefully and is survived by his two children, James and William, and ex-wife, Mary.’

Star: Owen played the nomadic Tom Simmonite in the popular and long-running BBC sitcom for 10 years from 2000. Pictured with Peter Sallis and Frank Thornton 

Family: His appearance on the show continued a family tradition after his father, Bill Owen, famously portrayed Compo Simmonite before his death in 1999. Pictured with Michael Bates and Peter Sallis 

Tom began his career in acting straight after leaving school, and his father was instrumental in landing him his first job as an assistant stage manager at Leatherhead Theatre in Surrey.

After spending 12 months at his job, he then moved on to take up a similar role at the Westminster Theatre.

Tom spent four years in television before returning to repertory theatre in Sidmouth, Devon, where he continued to work and direct.

Then, the actor was chosen to play Compo’s long-lost son Tom in Last Of The Summer Wine, just days after his father Bill’s death from cancer in July 1999.

Generations: Tom shares two sons, James and William (pictured with Bill Owen), with his ex-wife Mary Bernadette Therese Moylan, who he married in 1978

Stars: Tom was chosen to play Compo’s long-lost son Tom in Last Of The Summer Wine, days after his father’s death from cancer in July 1999. Pictured with Peter Sallis and Frank Thornton

Previously describing how he secured the role, he said the first he knew of writer Roy Clarke’s search was when he received a phone call from the show’s producer, Alan Bell.

‘It was two or three days after Dad had died,’ he said back in 2000.

‘Obviously my mind was on other things, like organising the funeral, and it hadn’t occurred to me at all that I would be approached to play Compo’s long-lost son.

‘Alan suggested the idea to me and I thought about it for two seconds before saying yes.’

Death: His family confirmed the news of his death on Tuesday as they said he had ‘passed away peacefully’. Pictured: Tom unveiling a Heritage Foundation Blue Plaque in honour of his father 

Talking about taking on the role, he previously admitted he was ‘very emotional’ at first because of his father Bill’s death but wanted to work on the show in his memory.

He said the cast and crew, who worked with Bill on the hit show, had a ‘traumatic shock’ when his father had died as they had known him for years. 

‘At first when I arrived on set it was very odd, he said. ‘It was emotional, but very early on I decided the only way I could tackle it was by being a professional.

‘I was very aware of how wary the other cast members might be of me. They had all been through a traumatic shock when Dad died. They had known him for all those years as well.

Career: Tom’s other television credits include The Bill, The Onedin Line and Upstairs Downstairs. In 2018, he also starred in feature film The Bromley Boys

‘Dad loved the show and I think he would be very proud that it is going to continue, and in a way it’s continuing in his memory. I think he would be very happy that I’ve taken his place.’

BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine ran for 31 series from 1973 until its final ever episode How Not to Cry at Weddings in August 2010. 

Norman Clegg, played by Peter Sallis, was the only character to appear in all 295 episodes of the comedy.

Bill Owen died from pancreatic cancer at age 85 in 1999 and after his death, his co-star Peter Sallis said he wanted to be buried next to him.

Peter, who played ‘Cleggy’ in the Yorkshire-based comedy, lived for another 18 years and passed away aged 96 in June 2017, when he was buried beside his close friend.

The two old friends are now together in the graveyard at St John’s Church in the Yorkshire town of Holmfirth. 

Friendship: Bill Owen died from pancreatic cancer at age 85 in 1999 and after his death, his co-star Peter Sallis (pictured with Tom at Bill’s funeral) said he wanted to be buried next to him