Last of the Summer Wine memorabilia revealed... in America

Dec 8 2009 By Emma Davison

SHE is one of Last of the Summer Wine’s biggest fans.

Despite living thousands of miles away, American Cheryl Robbins loves the show and her house is full of memorabilia.

Now she has a star item to add to her collection – the trademark outfit worn by one of the show’s best-loved characters, Foggy.

The iconic clothes worn by actor Brian Wilde went under the hammer on internet auction site eBay late last month – and Cheryl just could not resist them.

Brian – whose much-loved character appeared in over 100 episodes – died aged 80 last year.

His widow Eva, who died this summer, had asked the BBC for her late husband’s costume so it could be auctioned off for charity.

Cheryl has collected dozens of items from the show from books to miniature figurines of the characters, which she has proudly on display at her home in St Louis, Missouri.

She bought Brian’s costume for £510 and is delighted with her latest purchase.

She said: “I have been collecting everything from the series and Brian Wilde’s clothes are the first large collection of his items I have been able to obtain.

“What I enjoyed about Wilde’s performance was that he seemed to be a gentle giant.

“As Foggy only had a desk job in the war I felt he was trying to prove his worth to the other fellows by taking command as if he was still in the war.

“He marshalled his forces for their reconnaissance activities in the forests and hills. The other characters seemed to get a kick out of his antics.”