She became a household name playing Letitia, until the character was killed off, then had us in stitches again in the role of Nana in The Royle Family. The comedian last appeared as Geraldine for the BBC's Big Night In earlier this year, but will be back for a Christmas special. His co-star Dawn French has paid tribute to the late actor. Vicar of Dibley star Gary Waldhorn has passed away at the age of 78, his family have confirmed. Dawn French has paid tribute to The Vicar of Dibley co-star Gary Waldhorn, following his death at the age of 78.. Geraldine got married to Harry Kennedy (Richard Armitage) in the show's final episode. Do you have a story to share? Farmer and Parish council member Owen had awful hygiene and was labelled 'Britain's B.O. Visit our corporate site. This balding, impeccably well-spoken London-born character actor made his name on the Shakespearean stage well before becoming a known quantity on television. Gary Waldhorn as the King of France and Claudie Blakley as Helena in the RSC production of Alls Well That Ends Well at the Swan theatre in 2004. Vicar of Dibley star Gary Waldhorn's cause of death has been partly clarified soon after the actor passed away on Monday (January 10, 2022) at the age of 78 while his family was by his side. Frank was the Parish council secretary - and was dubbed 'The Most Boring Man in Britain' in a newspaper headline. This article was amended on 16 January 2022. Dawn married charity executive Mark Bignell in 2013 after two years together. Published 25 February 23, Queen Consort Camilla has taken a very public stance on a political issue. He frequently clashed with Geraldine due to his old-fashioned nature, but the pair came to respect each other as the series went on. Gary died on Monday, his son Josh confirmed in a statement. Waldhorn, who appeared in many classic British TV shows such as The. The London-native graduated from Yale School of Drama in 1967. After graduating from the Yale School of Drama in 1967, Waldhorn made his theatrical debut as an extra in a National Theatre production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Over the years, his roles have included Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing, a highly acclaimed title role of Henry V (at the Old Vic, 1996-97) and the King of France in All's Well that Ends Well. pic.twitter.com/OFnfRHpC8QJanuary 11, 2022. Shania has shared a touching message of support for her LGBTQ+ fans, By Jack Slater As always you can unsubscribe at any time. WATCH: Dawn French reveals how her husband proposed. Gary Waldhorn, who has died aged 78, played some political high flyers on television in his time Caulaincourt, the diplomat and Second Empire loyalist, in Napoleon and Love (1974), and the raffish society diarist Chips Channon in Edward and Mrs Simpson (1978) but his true talent lay in a curious ability to be pompous, boring and funny all at the same time. A statement from BBC Comedy read: "Gary was an incredibly talented actor who is fondly remembered by us for his numerous appearances on some of the nations most treasured BBC shows, and of course as Councillor David Horton in The Vicar of Dibley. In a statement via PA. For several years after, he served his apprenticeship as a small part supporting player. Dibley church organist and Parish council member Letitia Cropley was a popular character during the first series of the show. Waldhorn commented on how strange it was, after so many years, to be recognised in the street, but took it all in his careful stride, pleased but not unduly excited. In his career, Waldhorn also appeared in iconic showsThe Sweeney, Heartbeat and The Bill, as well as Hotel Babylon in 2008. A short time later, Dawn took to social media in memory of the star. Heartbeat. This balding, impeccably well-spoken London-born character actor made his name on the Shakespearean stage well before becoming a known quantity on television. A statement by his son read, in part: "Classically trained, it was the theatre where he truly flourished and he leaves a legacy of entertainment that saw him frequent the boards of Broadway, the West End and our living rooms on the telly! He frequently clashed with Geraldine due to his old-fashioned nature, but the pair came to respect each other as the series went on. WATCH: Dawn French stuns fans with total hair transformation. We will all miss him terribly.". Waldhorn was one of the mainstays of the hit comedy, playing. The tragic passing news of the actor . The massive Doctor Who fan made that the theme of Geraldine's wedding, dressing as the Tenth Doctor and making the bridesmaids come as Daleks. Gary Waldhorn, the actor, who has died aged 78, made his biggest impression on television as David Horton, the millionaire farmer and chair of the parish council battling with Dawn French's newly arrived parish priest in The Vicar of Dibley. "I saw Richard Burton play Henry V and my life changed. Jim did have a wife but was always flirting with the vicar, then proposed to her in the final episode. He will live on in my house every Christmas x," a fourth wrote. He also played Alfie Moon's war veteran pal Sid in an episode of EastEnders. The show came to an end when Geraldine married hunky Harry, despite a series of mishaps including a very muddy wedding dress. Section heading Write the first section of your page here. Gary passed away on Monday at the age of 78, he was famed for playing Councillor David Horton in the TV sitcom with telly favourite Dawn. All rights reserved. Dawn French is mourning the death of her Vicar of Dibley co-star, Gary Waldhorn, who played councillor David Horton in every episode of the sitcom from . By the early 70s, Waldhorn had established himself as a serious actor, headlining as Milo Tindle in Sleuth (the part played by Michael Caine in the classic film version) at the West End. Something went wrong, please try again later. Trevor Peacock who played Jim Trott passed away in 2021 at the age of 89 as well. That saw him return to the theatre where he first caught the acting bug. He had already decided to be an actor after seeing Richard Burton at the Old Vic on a school trip. Veteran stage actor who found wider fame through his role in the much-loved TV sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, Vicar of Dibley actor Gary Waldhorn dies aged 78, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Actor Samuel West, who appeared with Waldhorn in Henry IV, was among the others paying tribute, remembering him as "a lovely man and a terrific actor". As a Shakespearean actor, Waldhorn later frequently performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. You will receive a verification email shortly. The Vicar of Dibley star Gary Waldhorn has died aged 78.. Best known for playing Councillor David Horton in the much loved BBC sitcom, Gary's character often locked horns with Dawn French's eponymous vicar.. His heartbroken son Josh announced that the actor died on Monday, January 10, announcing in a statement: "Classically trained, it was the theatre where he truly flourished and he leaves a . King'. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Bless you.". Jim did have a wife but was always flirting with the vicar, then proposed to her in the final episode. After keeping his sexuality secret for 40 years, Frank bravely announced he was homosexual on the radio, but only Geraldine was listening. Alice was the ditzy yet adorable church verger, who Geraldine once claimed had the "intellectual capacity and charisma of a cactus". "With the death of Gary Waldhorn (David Horton) that only leaves the lovely Hugo & Geraldine as the only surviving members of the Dibley Parish Council & I'm crying a little bit!" Dawn's best-selling autobiography, Dear Fatty, was named because that is pal Jennifer's nickname for her. He also played Alfie Moon's war veteran pal Sid in an episode of EastEnders. Actress Emma Chambers had us in fits of giggles throughout all 20 episodes of the show - winning the British Comedy Award for Best Actress in 1998. Classically trained, it was the theatre where he truly flourished and he leaves a legacy of entertainment that saw him frequent the boards of Broadway, the West End and our living rooms on the telly! The British sitcom originally ran on BBC One from 1994 to 2007 and it followed the day-to-day adventures of Reverend Geraldine Granger, aka Dawn French. Dawn French is mourning the death of her Vicar of Dibley co-star, Gary Waldhorn, who played councillor David Horton in every episode of the sitcom from 1994 to 2007. and his final role was in Daniel Radcliffe flick, Jungle. As per reports, he also met his wife Christie Dickason. On graduating in 1967, the couple returned to settle in London, where Waldhorn appeared in Edmond Rostands Cyrano de Bergerac in the Open Air theatre, Regents Park, and, almost immediately, at the National. He was prominent at the Royal Exchange in Manchester from the mid-1970s, playing alongside Paul Scofield and Eleanor Bron in Ronald Harwoods A Family (which moved to the Haymarket in London), the American playwright Larry Shues very funny The Nerd (with Derek Griffiths) and Waiting for Godot, with Max Wall and Trevor Peacock, in 1980. 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