Last Of The Summer Wine Star Tom Owen Has Died Aged 73

The legendary actor is best known for playing Tom Simmonite in the popular and long-running BBC sitcom for 10 years from 2000. His appearance on the show continued a family tradition after his father, Bill Owen, famously portrayed Compo Simmonite before his death in 1999, with Tom coming in next as his long-lost son. Sad news: Last Of The Summer Wine star Tom Owen has died aged 73, his family have confirmed His other television credits include The Bill, The Onedin Line and Upstairs Downstairs. In 2018, he also starred in the feature film The Bromley Boys. His family confirmed the sad news of his death on Tuesday, saying he “passed peacefully” in a statement. Tom has two sons, James and William, with his ex-wife Mary Bernadette Therese Moylan, whom he married in 1978. In a statement, his family said: “He passed away peacefully and is survived by his two children, James and William, and his ex-wife, Mary.” Star: Owen played nomad Tom Simonnight in the popular and long-running BBC sitcom for 10 years from 2000. Pictured with Peter Sallis and Frank Thornton Family: His appearance on the show continued a family tradition after his father, Bill Owen, famously played Compo Simmonite before his death in 1999. Bill Owen (centre) is pictured with co-stars Michael Bates and Peter Sallis Tom began his acting career immediately after leaving school and his father was instrumental in his first job as assistant stage manager at the Leatherhead Theater in Surrey. After spending 12 months in the job, he then moved to take up a similar role at Westminster Theatre. Tom spent four years in television before returning to the repertory theater in Sidmouth, Devon, where he continued to work and direct. The actor was then cast to play Compo’s long-lost son Tom in Last Of The Summer Wine, days after his father Bill died of cancer in July 1999. Generations: Tom has two sons, James and William (pictured with Bill Owen in 1985), with ex-wife Mary Bernadette Therese Moylan, whom he married in 1978 Stars: Tom was cast to play Compo’s long-lost son Tom in Last Of The Summer Wine, days after his father died of cancer in July 1999. Pictured with Peter Sallis and Frank Thornton Previously describing how she secured the role, she said the first she knew about the search for writer Roy Clarke was when she received a phone call from the show’s producer, Alan Bell. “It was two or three days after dad died,” he said in 2000. “Obviously my mind was on other things, like arranging the funeral, and it never occurred to me that I would be approached to play Compo’s long-lost son. “Alan pitched the idea to me and I thought about it for two seconds before I said yes.” Death: His family confirmed the news of his death on Tuesday as they said he “passed peacefully”. Photo: Tom unveils a blue Heritage Foundation plaque honoring his father Speaking about taking on the role, he previously admitted he was “very emotional” at first due to the death of Bill’s father, but wanted to work on the show in his memory. He said the cast and crew, who worked with Bill on the hit series, were in for a “traumatic shock” when his father, as they had known him for years, died. “At first when I got on set it was very strange, he said. “It was emotional, but I decided very early on that the only way I could deal with it was to be a professional. “I knew very well how wary the other cast members could be towards me. Everyone had gone through a traumatic shock when Dad died. They knew him all these years. Career: Tom’s other TV credits include The Bill, The Onedin Line and Upstairs Downstairs. In 2018, he also starred in the feature film The Bromley Boys “Dad loved the show and I think he would be very proud that it’s going on and in a way it’s going on in his memory. I think he would be very happy that I took his place.’ The BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine ran for 31 series from 1973 until its final episode How Not to Cry at Weddings in August 2010. Norman Clegg, played by Peter Sallis, was the only character to appear in all 295 episodes of the sitcom. Bill Owen died of pancreatic cancer aged 85 in 1999 and after his death, his co-star Peter Sallis said he wanted to be buried next to him. Peter, who played ‘Cleggy’ in the Yorkshire comedy, lived for another 18 years and died aged 96 in June 2017, when he was buried next to his close friend. The two old friends are now together in the graveyard at St John’s Church in Holmfirth, Yorkshire. Friendship: Bill Owen died of pancreatic cancer aged 85 in 1999 and after his death co-star Peter Sallis (pictured with Tom at Bill’s funeral) said he wanted to be buried next to him