Bob Grant (actor)

{{Infobox person

| name = Bob Grant

| image = File:Bob Grant On the Buses.jpg

| caption = Bob Grant as Jack Harper in On the Buses

| birthname = Robert St Clair Grant

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1932|4|14|df=y}}

| birth_place = Hammersmith, London, England

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2003|11|8|1932|4|21|df=y}}

| death_place = Twyning, Gloucestershire, England

| occupation = {{Hlist|Actor|comedian|writer}}

| years_active = 1952{{Ndash}}1998

| spouse = {{Unbulleted list

| {{Marriage|Jean Hyett|1954|end=div}}

| {{Marriage|Christine Sally Wilson (Stage name Sally Kemp)|1962|end=div}}

| {{Marriage|Kim Benwell|1971}}

}}

Robert St Clair Grant (14 April 1932{{Spaced ndash}}8 November 2003) was an English actor and writer, best known for playing bus conductor Jack Harper in the television sitcom On the Buses, as well as its film spin-offs and stage version.

Early life

Grant was born in Hammersmith, West London, on 14{{Nbsp}}April 1932, the son of Albert George Grant (1909{{Ndash}}1985) and Florence (1909{{Ndash}}2001), {{Nee|Burston}}. He was educated at Aldenham School.{{R|"Herbert 1977"}}

Career

=Early career=

File:Joan Littlewood and Theatre Royal.jpg directed Grant, as Kitely, in Every Man in His Humour, at the Fourth International Season of the Theatre of the Nations Festival in 1960.]]

Grant trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, working in his spare time as a frozen food salesman and also (coincidentally, in view of his later career) as a bus driver.{{R|"The Times 24 November 2003"}} After doing national service in the Royal Artillery, he made his stage debut in 1952 as Sydney in Worm's Eye View at the Court Royal, Horsham.{{R|"The Independent 21 November 2003"|"Herbert 1977"}}{{Efn|Anthony Hayward in Grant's {{Citeref|Hayward|2003|obituary|style=plain}}, and Ian Herbert in Grant's {{Citeref|Herbert|1977|Who's who entry|style=plain}}, both state that Grant's stage début was in Worm's Eye View at the Court Royal, Horsham, in November 1952. However, there was no advertised production of Worm's Eye View at the Court Royal for that year and it is doubtful that this was Grant's début. A production of the play was staged at the theatre from the 4{{Nbsp}}May 1953 for six days.{{R|"West Sussex County Times 1 May 1953"}}}}

Grant's first London appearance was in The Good Soldier Schweik at the Duke of York's Theatre in 1956, and he spent several years at the Theatre Royal Stratford East before getting the lead role in the musical Blitz! at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End for two years.{{R|"Herbert 1977"|"Theatricalia Blitz"}} In 1964, he appeared at the Piccadilly Theatre in Instant Marriage, a musical farce, for which he wrote the book and lyrics, with music by Laurie Holloway.{{R|"The Stage 16 July 1964"|"Stewart 2006"}}

Grant had by now started to make film appearances, including Sparrows Can't Sing (1963),{{R|"BFI Sparrows Can't Sing"}}{{Efn|The screen version of a play written by his future On the Buses co-star Stephen Lewis, in which he had previously acted on stage.{{R|"Theatricalia Sparrers Can't Sing"}}}} and the film version of Till Death Us Do Part (1969).{{R|"BFI Till Death Us Do Part"}}{{Efn|He appeared with Michael Robbins, another future On the Buses co-star.{{R|"BFI Till Death Us Do Part"}}}} He returned to the Theatre Royal, Stratford, in 1967, and starred in the satirical play Mrs Wilson's Diary as George Brown, the Foreign Secretary in Harold Wilson's Labour government; this play later transferred to the West End.{{R|"Guide to Musical Theatre Mrs Wilson's Diary"}} After George Brown's resignation from the Government on 15{{Nbsp}}March 1968,{{R|"Birmingham Daily Post 16 March 1968"}} the character of George Brown was switched with Barbara Castle, as the plot required a cabinet minister.{{R|"Daily Mirror 1 April 1968"}}

In January of that year, Grant appeared as The Major in a six-part radio comedy drama The 17-Jewelled Shockproof Swiss-Made Bomb, featuring Peter Coke. It was written by Roy Clarke and produced by Alan Ayckbourn. The programne was transmitted on the BBC Light Programme.{{R|"BBC Roy Clarke"}}

=''On the Buses''=

Grant played the bus conductor Jack Harper in the television sitcom On the Buses, which ran for 74 episodes between 1969 and 1973;{{R|"The Times 24 November 2003"}} he co-wrote 11 episodes, and one special, with co-star Stephen Lewis (who played Blakey, the Inspector).{{R|"The Independent 21 November 2003"}} It was an instant success with the viewers, and led to three feature films On the Buses (1971), Mutiny on the Buses (1972) and Holiday on the Buses (1973).{{R|"The Independent 21 November 2003"}} The series was the peak of his career.

=Later career=

When On the Buses finished, Grant found himself heavily typecast as Jack Harper and struggled to get other parts. He toured Australia in the farce No Sex Please, We're British, and continued to appear in musicals and pantomimes. In 1975, he wrote and starred in a one-off pilot Milk-O alongside his On the Buses co-star Anna Karen, an attempt to reinvigorate his career by means of a similar character, a milkman who spent his time fighting off amorous housewives he was delivering to. However, this did not lead to a series, and Grant never acted for television again. In 1981, he appeared in a touring production of the once-controversial revue Oh! Calcutta!, accompanied by a chorus line of naked men and women less than half his age.{{R|"The Herald 14 November 2003"}}

In 1980, Grant played the title role in John Arden's BBC radio adaptation of Don Quixote, with Bernard Cribbins as Sancho Panza.{{R|"Radio Times 1980"}} In 1986, he played a cockney detective inspector in The Red Telephone Box, a comedy thriller by Ken Whitmore on BBC Radio 4.{{R|"Radio Times 1986"|"Plays and Players 1986"}} On stage he later played Autolycus in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.{{R|"Sandwell Evening Mail 28 February 1986"}}

In 1990, it was announced that On the Buses would be revived as a new show called Back on the Buses, and the entire cast, including Grant, Reg Varney, Stephen Lewis, Doris Hare, Michael Robbins and Anna Karen would appear on Wogan. Back on the Buses eventually fell through when funding from STV was not forthcoming. The project was to have been backed by STV's executive producer Bryan Izzard who had produced seven episodes of the series and the final spin-off film, Holiday on the Buses.{{R|"Fisher Wolfe Chesney 2011"|"Walker 2010"}}

His last acting role was in Funny Money at Devonshire Park Theatre from July 1998.{{R|"The Stage 16 July 1998"}}

Personal life

In 1954, he married Jean Hyett;{{R|"The Stage 4 November 1954"}} the marriage would end in divorce.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

In 1962, he married for the second time, to Christine Sally Kemp; they later divorced.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

He was in a relationship with On the Buses guest star Gaye Brown, until he broke up with her to date (and eventually marry) Kim Benwell. When Grant married for the third time in 1971, with his On the Buses co-star Stephen Lewis as Best Man,{{cite web | url=https://shop.memorylane.co.uk/mirror/0400to0499-00412/bob-grant-wedding-day-1st-october-1971-21640356.html | title=Prints of Bob Grant, Wedding Day, 1st October 1971. Bob Grant, actor weds Kim Benwell }} there were huge crowds outside the register office. Consequently the couple had to abandon their hired Rolls-Royce and walk to the reception.{{R|"The Times 24 November 2003"}} A double-decker bus had been provided for the guests, but they had to walk as well.{{R|"The Independent 21 November 2003"}}

=Mental illness=

In the 1980s, he suffered from depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health problems, because of a lack of work and his considerable debts. This eventually led to a suicide attempt. In 1987, he disappeared from his home in Leicestershire for five days; it later emerged that he had taken the ferry to Dublin intending to kill himself. "I was in a horrible state", Grant said during an interview with Pamela Armstrong after the event, "I just had to get out of the house. I left the house and thumbed a lift to Melton Mowbray, and then got a train to Birmingham New Street where I sat sobbing in a station buffet. Everyone ignored me. Normally I get asked in the street something like 'When you back on telly then?', but not this time".{{R|"Fisher Wolfe Chesney 2011"|"Walker 2010"}}

Grant started to write his first note to his wife Kim, intending her to receive it after he had killed himself. "Tears streamed down my face as I wrote", he recalled. After hours of pounding the streets of Birmingham, Grant instead caught the ferry to Dublin, "It was a horrible night on that boat", he continued. "I'd been to Dublin before and it seemed such a nice place. I wanted to end it all, either by jumping in the River Liffey or ironically under a bus." Grant stayed at a guesthouse in Dublin to think things over. He called Kim, but there was no answer; she was at the time filming an appeal to find him. On the strength of the appeal, Grant eventually returned to England, where his absence had caused a small stir, which allowed him to gain a few more acting jobs.{{R|"Fisher Wolfe Chesney 2011"|"Walker 2010"}}

A further long gap in employment led to another suicide attempt in 1995, this time by carbon monoxide poisoning. Grant was discovered just in time, slumped over the steering wheel of his car, which was filled with exhaust fumes, and admitted to hospital for treatment. He and Kim took a holiday to Goa in India to recover and on their return, it seemed things were finally going right again. They moved to a small cottage in Church End Twyning, about a mile south of Twyning, near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire with the ambition of making a fresh start. Grant lived very reclusively and neighbours would only see him when he was trimming his hedge.{{R|"The Daily Telegraph 19 November 2003"}}

Death

His "new life" did not last, as once more substantial bills continued to arrive and work did not. In despair, Grant made a third and final suicide attempt in 2003. This time he succeeded, dying in his fume-filled car in his garage with a hose attached to the exhaust pipe, and was found dead soon after.{{R|"The Independent 21 November 2003"}}

Selected filmography

{{Hatnote|Details of Grant’s work: Stage, Radio, Film, Television}}

=Film=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders mw-collapsible" style="margin-right: 0"

|+ style="text-align: left; background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Nowrap|Film credits}}

style="vertical-align: top"

! scope="col" style="text-align: left; background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue" | Year

! scope="col" style="text-align: left; background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue; width: 15%" | Title

! scope="col" style="text-align: left; background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue; width: 10%" | Role

! scope="col" style="text-align: left; background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue" | Notes

! scope="col" style="background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Anchor|bgF01}} {{Dts|format=y|1959}}

| I'm All Right Jack

| Card player

| Uncredited: Four workers playing cards behind the pallets. Grant is on the left and nearest the camera. The other three card players were played by David Lodge, Keith Smith, and Kenneth J. Warren

| {{R|"I'm All Right Jack 1959"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1960}}

| The Criminal

| Prisoner

| Uncredited

| {{R|1="Halliwell 2003"|p1=191|2="The Criminal 1960"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1963}}

| Sparrows Can't Sing

| Perce

| {{R|"BFI Sparrows Can't Sing"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1965}}

| Help!

| Cameo

| Grant's scenes were cut from the film

| {{R|"Newcastle Evening Chronicle 10 May 1975"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1969}}

| Till Death Us Do Part

| Man in Pub

| {{R|1="Whitehall Theatre 1969"|2="Halliwell 2003"|p2=873|3="Dobermann 1968"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1971}}

| On the Buses

| Jack Harper

| {{R|"Halliwell 2003"|p=630}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1972}}

| Mutiny on the Buses

| Jack Harper

| {{R|"Halliwell 2003"|p=630}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1973}}

| Holiday on the Buses

| Jack Harper

| {{R|"Halliwell 2003"|p=630}}

=Television=

The following is a list of television programmes in which Grant was involved.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable mw-collapsible" style="margin-right: 0"

|+ style="text-align: left; background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Nowrap|Television appearances of Grant}}

! scope="col" style="text-align: left; background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue" | Year

! scope="col" style="text-align: left; background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue; width: 15%" | Title

! scope="col" style="text-align: left; background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue; width: 20%" | Episode

! scope="col" style="text-align: left; background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue; width: 10%" | Station

! scope="col" style="text-align: left; background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue; width: 15%" | Role

! scope="col" style="text-align: left; background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue" class="unsortable" | Notes

! scope="col" style="background-color: CornflowerBlue; color: AliceBlue" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Anchor|bgT01}} {{Dts|format=y|1959|January|19}}

| Quatermass and the Pit

| The Wild Hunt

| BBC One

| Ted (Electrical technician {{Mdash}} uncredited)

| Series 1, Episode 5

| {{R|"The Wild Hunt 1959"|"Cater 2019"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1959|January|26}}

| Quatermass and the Pit

| Hob

| BBC One

| Ted (Electrical technician {{Mdash}} uncredited)

| Series 1, Episode 6. He was electrocuted while laying a power cable inside the chamber

| {{R|"Hob 1959"|"Cater 2019"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1961|December|30}}

| Sir Francis Drake

| {{Sort|Doughty Plot|The Doughty Plot}}

| Independent Television

| Clements

| {{R|"The Doughty Plot 1961"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1963|December|23}}

| No Hiding Place

| Solomon Dancey's Luck

| Independent Television

| Alexander Mudgeon

| {{R|"Solomon Dancey's Luck 1963"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1964|May|17}}

| Armchair Theatre

| A Jug of Bread

| Independent Television

| Ben

| {{R|"White 2003"|"The Times 16 May 1964"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1964|December|29}}

| {{Sort|Plane Makers|The Plane Makers}}

| Appointment in Brussels

| Independent Television

| Antique Dealer

| Series 3, Episode 11

| {{R|"Appointment in Brussels 1964"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1965|November|11}}

| Merry{{Hyphen}}Go{{Hyphen}}Round

| {{Sort|Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm|The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm}}

| BBC One

| Professor Branestawm

| Broadcast as part of the Merry{{Hyphen}}Go{{Hyphen}}Round children's education series

| {{R|"Radio Times 2005"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1967|January|18}}

| Softly, Softly

| James McNeil, Aged 23

| BBC One

| Napier

| Series 2, Episode 12

| {{R|"Radio Times 2005"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1968|September|16}}

| Z-Cars

| Punch{{Hyphen}}Up: Part 1

| BBC One

| Ted Griffin

| Series 6, Episode 157

| {{R|"Radio Times 2005"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1968|September|17}}

| Z-Cars

| Punch{{Hyphen}}Up: Part 2

| BBC One

| Ted Griffin

| Series 6, Episode 158

| {{R|"Radio Times 2005"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1969|January|4}}

| Mrs. Wilson's Diary

| Independent Television

| George Brown

| It was scheduled originally to be broadcast on 23{{Nbsp}}November 1968{{Efn|The Independent Television Authority (ITA) objected to certain scenes that characterised George Brown, the former Foreign Secretary, as a drunk. London Weekend Television refused to make the cuts requested by the ITA, but eventually backed down, and the scenes were reshot.{{R|"Newcastle Journal 22 November 1968"}}}}

| {{R|"Reading Evening Post 4 January 1969"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1969|July|5}}{{Ndash}}{{Dts|format=y|1973|May|20}}

| On the Buses

| Independent Television

| Jack Harper

| Grant appeared in all 74 episodes and as a writer with Stephen Lewis for a number of episodes from series 5 onwards

| {{R|"British Comedy Guide On the Buses"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1969|December|25}}

| All Star Comedy Carnival

| Independent Television

| Jack Harper

| {{R|"TVTimes 1969"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1970|January|1}}

| Comedy Playhouse

| {{Sort|Jugg Brothers|The Jugg Brothers}}

| BBC One

| Robert Jugg

| Written by Grant and Stephen Lewis. Comedy pilot for Series 9 of the Comedy Playhouse

| {{R|"Radio Times 2005"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1970|February|17}}

| {{Sort|Borderers|The Borderers}}

| {{Sort|Quacksalver|The Quacksalver}}

| BBC Two

| William Peck

| Series 2, Episode 7

| {{R|"Radio Times 2005"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1970|May|20}}

| This Is Your Life

| Reg Varney

| Independent Television

| Himself

| Series 10, Episode 25

| {{R|"Radio Times 1970"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1971|December|29}}

| This Is Your Life

| Doris Hare

| Independent Television

| Himself

| Series 12, Episode 7

| {{R|"This Is Your Life Doris Hare 1971"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1972|December|25}}

| All Star Comedy Carnival

| Independent Television

| Jack Harper

| The On the Buses segment was written by Grant and Stephen Lewis

| {{R|"BFI All Star Comedy Carnival 1972"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1975|July|11}}

| It's a Celebrity Knockout

| Craven Cottage

| BBC One

| Himself

| {{R|"Radio Times 2005"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1975|November|26}}

| Comedy Premiere

| Milk{{Hyphen}}o

| Independent Television

| Jim Wilkins

| Written by Grant and Anthony Marriott

| {{R|"The Stage 15 May 1975"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1987|March|24}}

| Daytime

| {{Sort|price of fame|The price of fame: in and out of the public eye}}

| ITV

| Himself

| Discussion show with Sarah Kennedy

| {{R|"The Times 24 March 1987"}}

style="vertical-align: top"

| scope="row" style="background-color: White; color: Black" | {{Dts|format=y|1990|March|16}}

| Wogan

| Interview

| BBC One

| Himself

| Interview with the former cast of On the Buses about plans to revive the series as "Back on the Buses"

| {{R|"Perthshire Advertiser 27 March 1990"}}

Publications

=Plays=

{{Cite book|last1=Marriott |first1=Anthony |author1-link=Anthony Marriott |last2=Grant |first2=Bob |year=1978 |title=Darling Mr. London: a farce |publisher=Samuel French |location=London |language=en |isbn=978-0-573-11113-6 |oclc=1038431648 |ref=none}}
{{Cite book|last1=Marriott |first1=Anthony |last2=Grant |first2=Bob |year=1978 |title=No room for love: a farce |publisher=Samuel French |location=London |language=en |isbn=978-0-573-11310-9 |oclc=5379828 |ref=none}}
{{Cite book|last1=Marriott |first1=Anthony |last2=Grant |first2=Bob |year=1991 |title=Home is where your clothes are: a comedy in two acts |publisher=Samuel French |location=London |language=en |isbn=978-0-573-01789-6 |oclc=26310819 |ref=none}}

Footnotes

References

{{Reflist|refs=

{{Refn|name="Fisher Wolfe Chesney 2011"|

{{Cite book|last1=Fisher |first1=Tex |last2=Wolfe |first2=Ronald |author2-link=Chesney and Wolfe |last3=Chesney |first3=Ronald |author3-link=Chesney and Wolfe |year=2011 |title=I 'ate you butler!: The making of On the Buses |publisher=Deck Chair Publishing |page=53 |location=Elland |language=en |isbn=978-0-9565634-1-5 |oclc=806192755}}}}

{{Refn|name="Halliwell 2003"|

{{Cite book|last1=Halliwell |first1=Leslie |author1-link=Leslie Halliwell |year=2003 |title=Halliwell's film guide 2004 |publisher=HarperResource |location=New York |language=en |isbn=978-0-007167-12-8 |oclc=1052808936 |url=https://archive.org/details/halliwellsfilmgu0000hall |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-access=registration}}}}

{{Refn|name="Herbert 1977"|

{{Cite book|last1=Herbert |first1=Ian |year=1977 |title=Who's who in the theatre: a biographical record of the contemporary stage |publisher=Pitman |edition=16th |pages=668{{Ndash}}669 |location=London |language=en |isbn=978-0-273001-63-8 |oclc=1036916139 |url=https://archive.org/details/whoswhointheatre00herb/page/668 |access-date=14 April 2021 |url-access=registration}}}}

{{Refn|name="Stewart 2006"|

{{Cite book|last1=Stewart |first1=John |year=2006 |title=Broadway musicals, 1943 to 2004 |publisher=McFarland & Company |page=723 |location=Jefferson |language=en |isbn=978-0-7864-2244-9 |oclc=61362150 |url={{Google books|spQ751Sv7TUC|page=PT5040|plainurl=y}} |access-date=7 April 2020}}}}

{{Refn|name="Walker 2010"|

{{Cite book|last=Walker |first=Craig |year=2010 |title=On The Buses: the Complete Story |publisher=Andrews UK Ltd |page=26 |location=Luton |language=en |isbn=978-1-907792-16-8 |oclc=651600660}}}}

{{Refn|name="White 2003"|

{{Cite book|last1=White |first1=Leonard |author1-link=Leonard White (producer) |year=2003 |title=Armchair Theatre: The Lost Years |publisher=Kelly Publications |page=116 |location=Tiverton |language=en |isbn=978-1-903053-18-8 |oclc=53030738 |url={{Google books|0nesK2YgNA8C|page=PA116|plainurl=y}} |access-date=5 April 2021}}}}

{{Refn|name="Whitehall Theatre 1969"|

{{Cite report|author=Whitehall Theatre |author1-link=Trafalgar Theatre |year=1969 |title=Pyjama Tops Programme |publisher=Paul Raymond Organisation Ltd |page=5 |location=London |language=en}}}}

{{Refn|name="Plays and Players 1986"|

{{Cite magazine|last1=Walters |first1=Matthew |date=March 1986 |title=On the Air |magazine=Plays and Players |publisher=Brevet Publishing Limited |issue=390 |page=40 |location=London |language=en |issn=0032-1559 |oclc=2243805}}}}

{{Refn|name="Radio Times 1980"|

{{Cite magazine|author= |date=25 September 1980 |title=The Monday Play: The Adventures of the Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote de la Mancha |magazine=Radio Times |publisher=BBC Magazines |issue=2968 |page=55 |location=London |language=en |issn=0033-8060 |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f2b77fdd2a184171bd3d8c5e4a1a7f53 |access-date=24 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410050419/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f2b77fdd2a184171bd3d8c5e4a1a7f53 |archive-date=10 April 2021}}}}

{{Refn|name="Radio Times 1986"|

{{Cite magazine|author= |date=20 February 1986 |title=The Afternoon Play: The Red Telephone Box |magazine=Radio Times |publisher=BBC Magazines |issue=3248 |page=67 |location=London |language=en |issn=0033-8060 |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d44dc3b504554fa68c939cbffb4fe958 |access-date=24 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410052230/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d44dc3b504554fa68c939cbffb4fe958 |archive-date=10 April 2021}}}}

{{Refn|name="Radio Times 2005"|

{{Cite magazine|author= |year=2005 |title=Genome Project |magazine=Radio Times |publisher=BBC |location=London |language=en |issn=0961-8872 |oclc=265408915 |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk |access-date=24 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522165103/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/ |archive-date=22 May 2021}}}}

{{Refn|name="TVTimes 1969"|

{{Cite magazine|editor1-last=Jackson |editor1-first=Peter |date=20 December 1969 |format=JPEG |title=6.0 All Star Comedy Carnival 8.30 |quote=Christmas 1969 & New Year Double Issue. Des O'Connor in Santa hat and beard, cover design by John Farman |magazine=TVTimes |publisher=Independent Television Publications |page=49 |location=London |language=en |issn=0962-1660 |url=https://www.christmasuk.org/photos/0017/0017_0030_full.jpg |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322062257/https://www.christmasuk.org/photos/0017/0017_0030_full.jpg |archive-date=22 March 2020}}}}

{{Refn|name="Appointment in Brussels 1964"|

{{Cite web|author= |title=Appointment in Brussels Writer John Gray Director Peter Collinson |date=29 December 1964 |website=wymark.org.uk |language=en |url=https://wymark.org.uk/plane99975.html |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322094946/http://wymark.org.uk/plane99975.html |archive-date=22 March 2020}}}}

{{Refn|name="BBC Roy Clarke"|

{{Cite web|author= |date=2 January 1968 |title=Roy Clarke - The 17-Jewelled Shockproof Swiss-Made Bomb |website=BBC Online |location=London |language=en |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000czqc |access-date=4 April 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404061558/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000czqc |archive-date=4 April 2021}}}}

{{Refn|name="BFI All Star Comedy Carnival 1972"|

{{Cite web|author= |title=All Star Comedy Carnival |year=1972 |website=www.bfi.org.uk |publisher=British Film Institute |location=London |language=en |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150755656 |access-date=15 October 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015101854/https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150755656 |archive-date=15 October 2023}}}}

{{Refn|name="BFI Sparrows Can't Sing"|

{{Cite web|author= |title=Sparrows Can't Sing |year=1963 |website=www.bfi.org.uk |publisher=British Film Institute |location=London |language=en |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150046632 |access-date=15 October 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015103625/https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150046632 |archive-date=15 October 2023}}}}

{{Refn|name="BFI Till Death Us Do Part"|

{{Cite web|author= |year=2021 |title=Till Death Us Do Part (1969) |website=British Film Institute |language=en |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150297160 |access-date=16 October 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016085117/https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150297160 |archive-date=16 October 2023}}}}

{{Refn|name="British Comedy Guide On the Buses"|

{{Cite web|author= |title=All On the Buses Episodes 1969{{Ndash}}1973 |year=1969 |website=British Comedy Guide |location=London |language=en |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/on_the_buses/episodes/all |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322163657/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/on_the_buses/episodes/all |archive-date=22 March 2020}}}}

{{Refn|name="Cater 2019"|

{{Cite web|last1=Cater |first1=Martin |date=28 February 2019 |title=On the Buses at 50 |location=London |language=en |url=https://networkonair.com/features/2019/02/28/on-the-buses-at-50/ |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731134347/https://networkonair.com/features/2019/02/28/on-the-buses-at-50/ |archive-date=31 July 2019}}}}

{{Refn|name="Dobermann 1968"|

{{Cite web|last1=Dobermann |first1=Harry |year=1968 |title=Till Death us do Part |website=dobermann.wymark.org.uk |language=en |url=https://dobermann.wymark.org.uk/2020/03/07/till-death-us-do-part-1968 |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322125549/https://dobermann.wymark.org.uk/2020/03/07/till-death-us-do-part-1968/ |archive-date=22 March 2020}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Doughty Plot 1961"|

{{Cite web|author= |title=The Doughty Plot |year=1961 |website=www.bfi.org.uk |publisher=British Film Institute |location=London |language=en |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150541899 |access-date=15 October 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015102610/https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150541899 |archive-date=15 October 2023}}}}

{{Refn|name="Guide to Musical Theatre Mrs Wilson's Diary"|

{{Cite web|author= |year=2021 |title=Mrs Wilson's Diary |website=Guide to Musical Theatre |language=en |url=http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_m/MrsWilsonsDiary.html |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009033922/http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_m/MrsWilsonsDiary.html |archive-date=9 October 2020}}}}

{{Refn|name="Radio Times 1970"|

{{Cite web|author= |title=This Is Your Life Season 10. Episode 25: Reg Varney |date=20 May 1970 |website=www.radiotimes.com |publisher=Immediate Media Company Limited |location=London |language=en |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-0qlyd7/this-is-your-life-season-10/?episode=b-9rn7d2 |access-date=3 December 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203030207/https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-0qlyd7/this-is-your-life-season-10/?episode=b-9rn7d2 |archive-date=3 December 2022}}}}

{{Refn|name="Solomon Dancey's Luck 1963"|

{{Cite web|author= |title=Solomon Dancey's Luck |year=1963 |website=www.bfi.org.uk |publisher=British Film Institute |location=London |language=en |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150715076 |access-date=15 October 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015102750/https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150715076 |archive-date=15 October 2023}}}}

{{Refn|name="Theatricalia Sparrers Can't Sing"|

{{Cite web|last1=Ellis |first1=Frank |year=2021 |title=Production of Sparrers Can't Sing, by Stephen Lewis |website=theatricalia.com |language=en |url=https://theatricalia.com/play/ehe/sparrers-cant-sing-by-stephen-lewis/production/ryj |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412111333/https://theatricalia.com/play/ehe/sparrers-cant-sing-by-stephen-lewis/production/ryj |archive-date=12 April 2019}}}}

{{Refn|name="Theatricalia Blitz"|

{{Cite web|last1=Hope |first1=Michael |year=2021 |title=Production of Blitz |website=theatricalia.com |language=en |url=https://theatricalia.com/play/4en/blitz/production/9mp |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008225707/https://theatricalia.com/play/4en/blitz/production/9mp |archive-date=8 October 2020}}}}

{{Refn|name="Birmingham Daily Post 16 March 1968"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=16 March 1968 |title=Mr. George Brown resigns |work=Birmingham Daily Post |page=1 |oclc=1080828265 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002135/19680316/001/0001 |access-date=7 April 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="Daily Mirror 1 April 1968"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=1 April 1968 |title=Poor George Brown |work=Daily Mirror |page=11 |oclc=11996384 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19680401/076/0011 |access-date=7 April 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Daily Telegraph 19 November 2003"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=19 November 2003 |title=Bob Grant |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235 |oclc=49632006 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1447059/Bob-Grant.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411045300/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1447059/Bob-Grant.html |archive-date=11 April 2020}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Herald 14 November 2003"|

{{Cite news|last1=Pendreigh |first1=Brian |date=14 November 2003 |title=Bob Grant Actor and writer best remembered for his role as the lecherous bus conductor in On the Buses |work=Herald Scotland |issn=0965-9439 |oclc=29991088 |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/bob-grant-actor-and-writer-best-remembered-for-his-role-as-the-lecherous-bus-conductor-in-on-the-buses-1.101870 |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327213202/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12525871.Bob_Grant_Actor_and_writer_best_remembered_for_his_role_as_the_lecherous__bus_conductor_in_On_the_Buses/ |archive-date=27 March 2018}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Independent 21 November 2003"|

{{Cite news|last1=Hayward |first1=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Hayward |date=21 November 2003 |title=Bob Grant Obituary |work=The Independent |quote=Lothario conductor in the sitcom 'On the buses' |page=21 |issn=0951-9467 |oclc=185201487 |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/bob-grant-37498.html |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425070818/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/bob-grant-37498.html |archive-date=25 April 2019}}}}

{{Refn|name="Newcastle Journal 22 November 1968"|

{{Cite news|last1=Billany |first1=Fred |date=22 November 1968 |title=Why Mrs W's Diary was scrapped |work=Newcastle Journal |page=1 |issn=0307-3645 |access-date=5 April 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19681122/004/0001 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="Newcastle Evening Chronicle 10 May 1975"|

{{Cite news|last1=Watson |first1=Albert |date=10 May 1975 |title=Off the buses and on to the milk float |work=Newcastle Evening Chronicle |page=5 |issn=0960-3573 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000726/19750510/055/0005 |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="Perthshire Advertiser 27 March 1990"|

{{Cite news|last1=Fulton |first1=Graham |date=27 March 1990 |title=Pitlochry theatre set for successful season |work=Perthshire Advertiser |page=4 |issn=1462-7205 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000458/19900327/043/0004 |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="Reading Evening Post 4 January 1969"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=4 January 1969 |title=Programme Highlights |work=Reading Evening Post |page=9 |issn=1353-9264 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19690104/154/0009 |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="Sandwell Evening Mail 28 February 1986"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=28 February 1986 |title=Brum's own special arts Grant |work=Sandwell Evening Mail |page=25 |oclc=52228801 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002487/19860228/199/0025 |access-date=10 April 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Stage 16 July 1964"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=16 July 1964 |title=Name change for Albery/Rix Musical |work=The Stage |page=1 |language=en |issn=0038-9099 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19640716/010/0001 |access-date=7 April 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Stage 4 November 1954"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=4 November 1954 |title=Jean Hyett to marry |work=The Stage |page=16 |language=en |issn=0038-9099 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001179/19541104/091/0016 |access-date=7 April 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Stage 15 May 1975"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=15 May 1975 |title=ATV plan to find fresh sit com. Network plays to be seen next month |work=The Stage |page=11 |language=en |issn=0038-9099 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19750515/089/0011 |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Stage 16 July 1998"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=16 July 1998 |title=Eastbourne. Funny Money |work=The Stage |page=14 |language=en |issn=0038-9099 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001637/19980716/094/0014 |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Times 16 May 1964"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=16 May 1964 |title=Weekend Broadcasting |work=The Times |page=12 |issn=0140-0460 |id={{Gale|CS202729136}} |url=https://www.thetimes.com/archive/article/1964-05-16/12/10.html |access-date=4 June 2021 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526035622/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/archive/frame/article/1964-05-16/12/10.html |archive-date=26 May 2021}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Times 24 March 1987"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=24 March 1987 |title=ITV/London |work=The Times |page=41 |issn=0140-0460 |id={{Gale|IF0500037491}}}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Times 24 November 2003"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=24 November 2003 |title=Bob Grant |work=The Times |page=27 |issn=0140-0460 |id={{ProQuest|318985488}} |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/bob-grant-xd620skw5wm |access-date=7 April 2021 |url-access=subscription|quote=Bob Grant's obituary.}}}}

{{Refn|name="West Sussex County Times 1 May 1953"|

{{Cite news|author= |date=1 May 1953 |title=Theatre Royal, Carfax, Horsham |work=West Sussex County Times |page=4 |oclc=469839222 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001925/19530501/073/0004 |access-date=15 May 2021 |url-access=subscription}}}}

{{Refn|name="I'm All Right Jack 1959"|

{{Cite AV media|people=Grant, Bob |year=1959 |title=I'm All Right Jack |quote=You berk |publisher=StudioCanal Ltd |medium=Motion picture trailer |time=41 seconds |language=en}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Criminal 1960"|

{{Cite AV media|people=Grant, Bob |year=1960 |title=The Criminal |publisher=StudioCanal Ltd |medium=Motion picture trailer |time=1 minute 56 seconds |language=en}}}}

{{Refn|name="Hob 1959"|

{{Cite AV media|people=Grant, Bob |date=26 January 1959 |title=Quatermass and the Pit {{Mdash}} Hob |quote=Has been electrocuted |publisher=BBC |medium=Television |time=2 minutes 12 seconds |language=en |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0141mmd |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310121353/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0141mmd |archive-date=10 March 2020}}}}

{{Refn|name="The Wild Hunt 1959"|

{{Cite AV media|people=Grant, Bob |date=19 January 1959 |title=Quatermass and the Pit {{Mdash}} The Wild Hunt |quote=Come on Ted |publisher=BBC |medium=Television |time=31 minutes 16 seconds |language=en |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0141mjz |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322133603/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0141mjz |archive-date=22 March 2020}}}}

{{Refn|name="This Is Your Life Doris Hare 1971"|

{{Cite AV media|people=Doris Hare |date=29 December 1971 |title=This Is Your Life |quote=Bob Grant |publisher=Independent Television |medium=Television |time=2 minutes 59 seconds |language=en |url=https://www.itvarchive.com/ |access-date=5 April 2021 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810163729/http://itvarchive.com/ |archive-date=10 August 2017}}}}

}}