Stephen's a happy Smiler!

Oct 27 2001 By Neil Atkinson, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Smiler

THE character is called Smiler.

And the choice of the lugubrious Stephen Lewis to play the part is inspired casting.

Lewis - a Summer Wine regular for 11 years - made his comedy name as the mournful Insp Blakey in On The Buses back in the 1960s.

He still takes a great delight playing the stooge to Summer Wine favourites such as Auntie Wainwright (Jean Alexander) and Clegg (Peter Sallis).

One memorable scene in the next series, due out in the spring, features Lewis and Jean Alexander trying to sell a wardrobe from their Aladdin's Cave of a shop.

Between scenes at the historic Shepperton Studios in Middlesex, Lewis is delighted to chat about the programme which has introduced him to a whole new comedy audience.

"It's not work at all," he confesses. "It is lovely to be associated with a programme like this, with such wonderful people. When you can give laughter to so many people in a world that is so often full of misery, then it has to be worthwhile.

"My first involvement with Summer Wine was 13 years ago, when I played Clem Hemingway in an episode about a dying dog. I thought it was a one-off, but two years later they got back in touch and asked me to come back and play Smiler, a new character.

"And when you have a handsome face like this, well they never let you alone!

"I get fan mail every day, some from all over the world. Summer Wine seems to have an appeal to people in so many countries and of so many ages.

"I think it's because there's something special about British humour."