Billy Burden

{{Short description|English actor and comedian}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Billy Burden

| image = Comic_actor_Billy_Burden.jpg

| caption =

| birth_name = William George Burden

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1914|06|15}}

| birth_place = Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England, UK

| death_date = {{death date and age|1994|06|03|1914|06|15|df=y}}

| death_place = Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England, UK

| restingplace =

| othername =

| occupation = Actor & Comedian

| yearsactive =

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}}

William George Burden (15 June 1914 – 3 June 1994) was an English actor and comedian, who specialised in playing "country bumpkin" roles.{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba130bd5a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108062414/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba130bd5a|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 January 2018|title=Billy Burden|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-billy-burden-1421564.html|title=Obituary: Billy Burden|website=Independent.co.uk |date=10 June 1994|publisher=}}

He made many appearances in the Theatre Royal panto in Bath, Somerset for Frank Maddox.{{cite web|url=https://theatricalia.com/play/21x/little-bo-peep/production/ams|title=Production of Little Bo Peep - Theatricalia|website=theatricalia.com}} Debuted on ITV as William in the TV series A Present for Dickie (1969–70), but only six episodes were made.{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/a_present_for_dickie/cast_crew/|title=A Present For Dickie cast and crew credits - British Comedy Guide|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}} From 1972 to 1984 he guested many times on the touring cabaret show "The Rick Jango Road Show" In 1978, he guest-starred as a farmer in the episode 'Nappy Days' of George & Mildred.{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/george_and_mildred/episodes/4/5/|title=George & Mildred Series 4, Episode 5 - Nappy Days - British Comedy Guide|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}} In 1980, he starred in another short-lived TV series, Oh, Happy Band, playing the role of Mr Sowerby. Again, only six episodes were made.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/o/ohhappyband_7777090.shtml|title=BBC - Comedy Guide - Oh Happy Band!|date=6 April 2005|url-status=deviated|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050406100955/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/o/ohhappyband_7777090.shtml|archivedate=6 April 2005}}

In 1982, he appeared in the Val Guest film The Boys in Blue (as the herdsman).{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6f831e53|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108065458/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6f831e53|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 January 2018|title=The Boys in Blue (1983)|publisher=}} Burden also guest-starred four times in Hi-de-Hi!; three times as Mr Turner (1986 & 1988) and once as Mr Thompson (1986).{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/people/billy-burden/|title=Billy Burden|last=TV.com|website=TV.com}} Burden is also known for his role as Morris Moulterd in Grace & Favour (American and Canadian title: Are You Being Served? Again!) (1992–93), a spin-off from Are You Being Served?.{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7baa9735|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225142833/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7baa9735|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 December 2017|title=Grace and Favour[10/01/92] (1992)|publisher=}} Burden died of a heart attack in 1994.