Actor Bernard Bresslaw dies

BERNARD Bresslaw, the comic actor best known for his roles in the Carry On series of films, died last night an hour before he was due to appear as Grumio in The Taming of the Shrew in London, writes Steve Boggan.

He was understood to have collapsed with a heart attack at the Inner Circle open air theatre in Regent's Park, and died shortly afterwards. He was 59 years old.

His death came as the entertainment industry was coming to terms with that of the comedian Les Dawson on Thursday.

Barbara Windsor, the actress, who knew both men, said last night: 'Bernard was a huge man with a personality to match. He was a lovely man who was so happy. He had a wonderful marriage and three lovely boys.'