Foggy: Brian Wilde
Foggy Dewhirst (in hat) 158
A usually peaceful library is hardly the place to relive your favourite military manoeuvres unless, of course, your name happens to be Foggy Dewhirst. Most people would spend their time there reading the daily papers or selecting a book to take home, but a visit by Foggy usually ends in uproar.
On at least one occasion, a camouflaged Corporal Dewhirst has emerged from a secret lookout post, startling any unsuspecting passers-by who happen to be in the vicinity.
Past achievements also include clearing the cafe of customers in record time with his recollections of jungle warfare, mosquitos and all. Foggy takes great delight in boasting about his military prowess to anyone who happens to be around. His companions suspect the never-ending tales have been somewhat embellished with the passage of time, but whatever the truth, there is no doubt thathis best laid plans usually come unstuck.
Scenes like these confirm actor Brian Wilde's description of his Summer Wine character as rather pompous, but quite harmless and "basically very silly".
He first joined the cast in 1976 when Foggy, a "regular" Corporal Sign Writer was seen coming home after being retired from the army. From the start, he took every opportunity to inject some military precision into the madcap adventures he shares with Compo and Clegg.
After eight years, Brian decided to move on to pastures new. His place was taken by Michael Aldridge, as the eccentric inventor and ex-headmaster Seymour Utterthwaite. In the storyline, Foggy's absence was explained by the news that he had taken over a family business painting eggs at Bridlington.
Following Seymour's departure in 1990, Foggy returned, trying as always to gain the upper hand, and now, after four series, it is as though he has never been away.
Brian says he has enjoyed his many visits to the Holme Valley while filming the series, although he is not quite so keen on the chill winds which blow across the hillsides even in summer. Away from Summer Wine, he is also well known for his portrayal of the kindly but gullible prison warder Mr Barrowclough in the much-repeated 1970s comedy series, Porridge, in which he appeared with Ronnie Barker.
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