An unlikely enduring Lothario

Oct 25 2001 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Howard

Neil Atkinson continues his series of looking behind the scenes of television's longest-running comedy series, soon to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

ACTOR Robert Fyfe makes an unlikely Lothario.

But as henpecked husband Howard, he is Summer Wine's Romeo to Marina's Juliet in one of the hit comedy's enduring storylines.

And Fyfe loves the challenge of playing a heart-throb in a cardigan.

"I have been in the series since 1984, and it is still such very good fun. The scripts are very, very clever and there are some super characters.

"Some of the episodes, particularly those dealing with the death of Compo (Bill Owen), were magical and showed the strength of the writing by Roy Clarke," says Fyfe.

"I enjoy being Howard and I hope Roy continues to create such great scenes for him. I also hope he picks up some of the traits I try and bring to the character.

"Filming the show can be hard work, with four weeks on location in and around Holmfirth.

"Very often an actor can be in scene after scene, hour after hour, such as when we work out at the cottages we use in Jackson Bridge.

"But the crew are great and we have fun," said Fyfe.

"I'm sure no-one thought the programme would run this length of time. When I first started, people were saying it may last another year or so - but it is still going.

"No-one now would think of a programme running for 30 years - but I do hope it continues."