Remembering Summer Wine's Bill Owen

On the 16th anniversary of the death of actor Bill Owen, some previously unseen footage of Bill with fellow cast members from Last of the Summer Wine at a tribute to the show at Pinewood Studios, where interior filming had just finished, in October 1998. Bill Owen passed way on 12 July 1999.

[@jamesycotter.512]

Compo was and always will be a national treasure...a fantastic man and actor bill Owen.

[@alanglasgowbassist]

All these brilliant actors and actresses assembled in one place. It makes me sad to think that virtually all of them are no longer with us. Last of the summer wine… A true British tradition.

[@tangatoto362]

Oh, how the world needs this beautiful, gentle , crazy but harmless brand of true entertainment even more now to cope with our collective woes.

[@ianthurston]

Classic funny comedy No swearing or smut The whole family could watch Bill Owen was a brilliant British actor Sadly missed

[@theresedavis2526]

LOTSW was one show that never lost it's splendor or humor despite it's 37 yrs on the air or the turn over of cast. Every actor brought their own wonderfully unique talent to the show. I dearly miss this series!

[@jamescampbell7780]

A much- missed character. RIP Bill.

[@melaniecravens7240]

Tough part of life not to see the ones we love. He was great

[@Mechanicalrob]

Peter Sallis and Bill Owen are buried next to each other in the same cemetery. That shows how strong their friendship was.

[@BeasleyStreet]

did not know....that's quite poignant

[@Ps..India2024]

First Bill expressed to bury himself in the graveyard of the church in the same village where the serial was shooted ..After death of Bill , Peter Sallis expressed his wish to bury himself next to his longtime friend from Last of the summer wine...What an incredible example of friendship....Hats off..

[@calderdale6795]

Pr Sh India It also shows the strong link both of them had for Holmfirth. Well worth a visit , in my beloved West Yorkshire.

[@jumbodoug]

​@@calderdale6795that's on my bucket list. Leave a Welly boot at compos grave

[@usercarefree44]

Wish my other fave Thora Hird could've been there with them. What a great bunch they are.😊

[@rhiannonrede]

My favorite show EVER. An American who got hooked by PBS. Ended up getting the entire family. RIP to all the many greats

[@barrymay8269]

What is PBS

[@keithrobinson974]

I'm 63yrs old, and when I grow up, I wanna be Compo

[@jowoollard1616]

Lol

[@jackiegee9578]

That's lovely X

[@TheOldgit64]

I was Compo😂😂 my mum and Bill grew up together in Hanwell both his dad and my mum's dad were on the buses at Hanwell bus depot

[@lizbradford7706]

Still a classic Keith never get tired off them see Norman wisdom there as well a met him over 20 years ago

[@colmoconnor1357]

Agh who could not have loved this programme. Simple and lovely. A fan from Ireland. Thank you so much. ❤❤❤

[@all4paws508]

And here's another from South Africa

[@rozdoyle8872]

And here's another Irish fan from Co Galway. Such simplicity, fun and Innocence.

[@andrelloyd4010]

A wonderfully humorous series with a well written and well acted cast - A series surly missed by many - RIP 🙏

[@Ecthaelyon]

All those faces of some wonderful actors & actresses. The likes of which we will never see again on our TV screens. May their God's bless and keep them all.

[@timetobox4932]

rip compo aka bill Owen .sadly most of the cast here have passed away . rest in peace to them all

[@DeadRaymanWalking]

Now Peter Sallis has joined Bill Owen and the cast of Last of the Summer Wine, as he passed away on June 2nd.

[@brucemaclennan9879]

And now sadly-Jane Freeman.

[@darthdmc]

Lost Pearl and Marina too now.

[@gordontaylor5373]

@@darthdmc And Howard as well now.

[@thetwat4012]

RIP sweet people. We as a nation love you dearly & forever

[@mallari1224]

yup thats right Nana! im a filipino and i dont even have a clue why im drawn this European classic . but i cant get enough of it . my wife calls it to much. i say yes she right . whatever im doing im playing it on my phone. i guess it became my therapy it relaxes me . i got tired of the news ,movies on netflix . and these episodes are the only ones that calms me down. so from the buttom of my heart here in the philippines i salute and thank you all that created these master piece !

[@williamf4544]

I think thats why it was so popular here in the UK - no dramatic story lines violence or bad language - as you say very relaxing - greetings from Scotland

[@missrachael1709]

I've just discovered this show, your post has inspired me to get into it.....I also need comedic escapism atm. Still Game, Ab Fab, Black Books, Peep Show have all copped a flogging this last year. Fond thoughts from Australia.

[@AdirondackRuby]

So lovely to see this. And wow, seeing the ladies in their own, regular clothes and hairstyles! Almost feels like an alternate universe, seeing everyone out of costume.

[@antpoo71]

How lovely seeing them all together. So sad with todays news that Robert Fyfe has passed that there're very few, if any, of this wonderful cast still with us. 🙏 R. I. P

[@chrishilton6608]

Rob was a great comedy actor. In fact all were.

[@johntaylor6345]

Last of the Summer Wine is a great example of situation comedy at its best. Great characters played by a brilliant cast.

[@lyndaslade5606]

It makes my day coming home after a long day,to sit down and watch Last of the Summer Wine.

[@alanread6596]

The greatest show of all time. I met bill Owen in 1959 when I was a page boy in a hotel.

[@jamesrodgers5789]

Ahhh, the memories of the last of the summer wine,, me and my Dad sitting watching together,, will never forget those great times 👍

[@levimacdonald5188]

❤💯 God bless mate

[@JC-il6ps]

Same here man, most people my age don't know what the show is nevermind have watched it. Thanks to my Dad watching it with me in the room I am very fond of it and have many happy memories of watching with him, miss him so much but when I watch it it feels like he's still with us and in the room ❤️.

[@dennis8445]

It makes you wish that time could stand still. I really do miss them all. Thanks for sharing.

[@BK-dy8jk]

Hard to believe so many of those voices are now silent. I miss them so knowing they are no longer here with us. I guess I never really thought about death like I do today. Makes me really think hard about it.....

[@wendyelsey7765]

Know what you mean BK. Time to think of Jesus and what he died on the cross for and that is to save all mankind. So we all need to ask Him to forgive us our sins and save us.

[@stephenchucky]

bittersweet. now almost all of them are gone.

[@levimacdonald5188]

Juliette Kaplan and Jean fergursson and Robert fyfe still living ! Along with Barry and Glenda few more

[@deadliftkid9032]

Jean Ferguson gone 3 days ago now

[@mariesimonegarnier3772]

@@levimacdonald5188 Juliette Kaplan passed away from cancer

[@levimacdonald5188]

@@mariesimonegarnier3772 I We're Facebook friends WITH HER-) juliette died last October 2019-age 80💔

[@levimacdonald5188]

@@deadliftkid9032 Jean -) died last December 2019.. 💔

[@jahempress26]

Love the show love them 🤗🤗🤗 you put a smile on the face of a black American woman in the south that's how far your spirit reach bless you all

[@normathomas8276]

Glad it made you smile too sweet cheers me up when iam down

[@ginnylorenz5265]

Dear NANA, what a sweet comment. These characters are dear to me, too. Love from San Diego, CA.

[@BeasleyStreet]

that's lovely, to think a show from west Yorkshire can reach reach so far and touch hearts from worlds away just shows we are all kindred....regards Manchester ,England....as it happens I pass through Holmfirth where it is filmed and it is a beautiful place....

[@shicruisin7004]

What's your colour got to with this....???

[@jahempress26]

Shi Cruisin' the true ?? Is ,why do you feel you have the right to ask why I choose to express my feelings my way ,go sit down please 🙌🏿

[@brianhaskard1042]

Ordinary, unaffected, talented, bloody marvellous, thanks Bill!

[@tyleratchley8669]

Thanks for putting this together. My son and I found the show about the time his Mom died. He was 10 back then. Compo helped keep our spirits up! We still love those folks! Gotta go, can't see the keyboard because of the tears in my eyes.

[@Ps..India2024]

Can understand..😒😒

[@jonlatham5301]

Thoughts and feelings are with you although it's so late :)

[@chrismullan7191]

I must say i found this so sad to watch, every Sunday i would go to my neighbour to watch last of the summer wine, i would make us nice cup of tea and we always had slice of cake, time does go so fast in the end, use it well.

[@michaelshields1689]

My favourite programme of all tiime. A memory to treasure always

[@xtc365]

What a lovely memory to cherish

[@70sboy98]

Unfortunately many of us only think about time when we reach a certain age and then wish we could go back again and use it better, if only we could, that reminds me, must by a magic lamp.

[@BELFASTGAMER]

RIP to all that passed away last of summer wine will never be the same thanks for making us laugh over the years

[@robertvillarreal4525]

A First in 2009 on ION TV 23. Couldn’t miss a single episode. The opening soundtrack took me far to a place I could live forever. Then Keeping Up Appearances, blew me further away. Love the Brits, no matter.

[@garthhunt5684]

Couldn't agree more!! A friend surprised me with a trip to the UK and the Irish Republic; a sort of BBC tour. We went to see where Keeping Up Appearances was filmed (I couldn't believe I was standing on Hyacinth's front sidewalk, looking at Liz & Emmett's, next door);LOTSW in Holmfirth (we liked it so much we stayed 5 days, but it was a bit sad walking up to the cemetary to visit Bill Owens' grave(s). I also walked up the steps of Nora Batty's place, but it was a tea house or something when we visited). We also went to see where they filmed Ballykissangel in Avoca, Ireland. Of course I had to sit on the bench to the left of the door for a photo-op at Landlady Assumpta Fitzgeralds! And we saw where they filmed Monarch Of The Glen in the Scottish Highlands (every bit as remote as it appears and as incredibly beautiful!). We even walked on the bridge! What a kick! 21 days of bliss! Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip!!

[@howardkerr8174]

Just as loved in real life as his character was on the show...what you would call a real, regular, guy. I was so sure that when his character on the show died that he had died or gotten a terminal illness. So glad to see that he went out when he was able to have a tribute like this. BTW, probably the best funeral shows for any series.

[@soulman1419]

Absolutely loved summer wine watched them over and over innocent times ✌🏻

[@glenfordsmart3222]

WOW!! PLEASE KEEP BRINGING ON THESE GUYS THEY ARE GREAT COMIC AND WE LOVE THEM ALL THE LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE.THEY HAVING US LAUGHTING ALOT. WE ARE FROM CANADA 🇨🇦 AND WE ALWAYS WATCHING. WE LOVE THEM ALL.

[@darrenlee307]

There dead so how can we keep bringing them on seriously grow up and do you’re research

[@Kiwinan1701]

Watched it from first to last. I cried like a baby when Compo dies and had his funeral...so moving.

[@mamadee8738]

Thank you for sharing this video. I grew up on this show and loved every episode. Thank you Bill for the laughter and your stellar performance you gave in every episode. Forever missed, Never forgotten.

[@mikesullivan6422]

Wonderful show wonderful cast I still watch old shows every chance I get God bless them all

[@Saucyakld]

My goodness, saw this first when we got TV as a youngster! Now in my 70th year and still remember how Mum and Dad laughed. Some went over our heads but we loved it. RIP

[@ginnylorenz5265]

Sooooo grateful that this brilliant series starring these magnificent actors is all on DVD's. I watch them many, many times a week. So sweet and comforting. A JOY. God Bless them all. Sending love to all my fellow fans...from San Diego, CA.

[@shellc]

I used to hate this show with a passion. I was born in the 80s which meant whenever you heard the theme tune on a Sunday night, you knew the weekend was nearly over and you had to go back to school the next day. Now I'm older, I love watching it. It is repeated all the time on Gold but I don't mind as I never saw a lot of the earlier episodes and it has given me a chance to watch them all.

[@xtc365]

Thank you so much for posting this, brings back lots of happy memories

[@SPAMWARS1]

I am a good fan of this show. I am really astonished at the amount of time, effort and manpower that was needed to make this show. Even the simplest of scenes seem to need much care and retakes, though I am aware that they did have plenty of time in between episodes to get them done. It is still amazing considering the storyboard creating and script writing time needed and then putting it into the practicality stage of the production process. They were at a rabbit's pace I'm sure.

[@trevorthompson7604]

Every one of them a legend miss you all so much sheer brilliance

[@derekhart3308]

So many now past away but still remembered in our hearts RIP to those who have...You will still live on thanks to Reruns on TV, You tube etc we miss you all.

[@dpshtfc764]

Watching repeats 20 years later and never get tired of watching something special which sadly will never be matched. Come to Holmfirth Huddersfield and visit the memories

[@ant2312]

I'll never forget when they were sat on that sofa that went down the hill

[@MrAndroidData]

Shows like these are set in stone being of classic brilliance, its cast and characters should be remembered for what they were for the time that it was written, and cannot be repeated, duplicated, reinvented or modernised They were what they were Brilliant, untouchable

[@qpulse]

Thanks for uploading Morris. I think Last of the Summer Wine was brilliant. Sadly a lot of the cast are no longer with us. Thank you for making everyone laugh and God bless them all

[@itsaguinness]

qpulse Howard Pearl and Marina. They still at it. Pearl doesn't know Howard and Marina just went to a Gala together

[@ChadQuick270W]

Superb! I’d love to have been there for that. Hard to believe it’s almost 20 years ago now. I really loved LOTSW, especially with Compo, Clagg and Foggy. It started downhill for me after Foggy left and after Compo passed away it just didn’t seem as funny any more to me. He was always my favorite. Rest In Peace Bill. You were great 👍

[@lindaireland2751]

I have to agree with u there

[@ChadQuick270W]

Gary Dodgson that’s how I feel. He was so much of the show from the pilot episode to his final episode. As you said he’s part of the fabric that made this show so special to us. 👍

[@jameswest4692]

I must disagree, quite liked the 'newer characters' was great to see Brian Murphy and Burk Kwok was very funny. Probably wouldn't have had them had Bill Owen still been alive. Only a certain amount of times you can see an old man in a bathtub going downhill.

[@jumbodoug]

Compos funeral was superb, absolutely awesome, the best send off for character and actor. They should have ended the show then, they'd have went out on an incredible high. They kept it going too long

[@markskoda8862]

R.I.P. Jean Fergusson (Marina) November 2019

[@l.salisbury1253]

"Ohh, Howard!" "Ohh Marina!"

[@CoolBreeze0432]

Yes I hate to hear that Very saddened

[@richardhanaphy6763]

Markskoda jean Ferguson

[@diannemilne3922]

Great show, I love English comedy . THANK YOU to all who made this Show possible

[@classicemmerdalefarm]

A true classic. We'll never see it's like again, sadly. Back when UK TV was original, entertaining and watchable.

[@julie3895]

Such a beautiful show. For a modern I really enjoy Ghosts, it’s quite sweet.

[@hughjanus8908]

R.I.P. to all the legends of this great comedy xxxx

[@carlmaster9690]

I'm 24 and I love this show! Loved Compo!

[@ivancarter7564]

This WAS the best tv show ever Clegg's funeral was THE GREATEST BECAUSE OF ITS MIXTURE OF LOVE AND HUMOUR AT SUCH A SAD TIME

[@stuartwalters1889]

I think you mean the 3 episodes covering Compo's death and funeral, and agree with you that they were brilliantly written and acted

[@panacheluxury4262]

This was such an amazing show which I still enjoy watching; becoming one of the best parts of a day or evening for me. Mr. Owen's, Howard and Marina characters are among my favorites on the show. What a fitting tribute to him, the show and entire cast. Thank you for posting!

[@BeasleyStreet]

some of the sweetest comments on KZbin.. a pleasure to read.

[@petervanmuylder3112]

They lighten up my day...i hope the bbc starts the series all over again...magic comedy with fantastic writers...hat off

[@georgestyer2153]

Wonderful cast..wonderful people, I miss them all

[@ellensankey7126]

So many wonderful actors! So many wonderful laughs and fabulous memories of watching silly antics with family

[@bethmc717]

Hilarious ,RIP Bill ,last of the summer wine ..just unbeatable

[@ggagg123]

Great actors! Sadly missed RIP Legendary LOSWine

[@PeterOHalloran-hf2ho]

All of these great comedy shows last forever you never get board classic ❤

[@stephboond2400]

What absolute Gentlemen.you will always be remembered god bless you both xx

[@michellehill1820]

Bill Owen compo sadly missed

[@johnclark48]

Why would anyone give it a down vote?

[@MrCountrycuz]

I don't think I or most men will ever be blessed in their golden years to have a close group of friends like these men were to each other in this great series.

[@peggystone7921]

Wow this was great seeing all them together great show I still watch it and still laugh Bill was so funny loved his character and style amazeing he was

[@trustbutverify9993]

a great run, a fantastic comedy...thanks to all...

[@garyhills2336]

Now some 25 years ago since Bill passed! Yet, it is a true legacy that many of us still refer to him and remember the series! Growing up as a kid watching it during the 70s you never thought it would be such an important part of your life but it has been, The many repeats keep it alive, and you still laugh as exactly the same points you did back then, few comedies have ever connected in that way!

[@cazm8019]

Bless each & everyone of them x

[@deborahwatson5159]

Another True Icon, Bill Owen as 'Compo'; Rest in Peace Bill Owen, also Stay Safe Everyone, with this Global Pandemic, XX

[@mrmensa1096]

- its a hoax - the planned emic. God Bless

[@mrmonstermunch3925]

@@mrmensa1096 Shut up!

[@deborahwatson5159]

@@mrmonstermunch3925 well said and Stay Safe 😨☺😊

[@DamiensTrainsandTravels]

I went to the studios here in October 2014, sadly closed down now, I saw the first episode of Still Open All Hours!

[@ernestnewbury3805]

What absolutely amazing people who entered us so much I loved it so much

[@zerogrey3798]

I started watching this show in 2001 after burying my wife and 2 of our 3 kids. This show and Waiting for God were on back to back on our local PBS channel late nights. Started watching because I couldn't sleep and was depressed as fuck. If not for this,,,,, Anyway, watched the show for a year before I learned that Bill Owen/Compo had died. I think the trio with Truly was the best trio.

[@Julie2554]

I like this programme and this is one of my dads favourite programmes. He has watched the episodes many times.

[@roarroar2808]

Thank you to all. The actors they are great watch they shows all the time over and over again and thank you to all the people who worked to made this show possible so great thanks again from Montreal canada

[@wendykelly4624]

I am from the US, and I have loved that series since I discovered it yrs. ago. I cried like a grieving widow when Compo died. I am happy to find it again.

[@stuartcarden7446]

Compo is my favourite character of all time and I have been watching tv for a very long time and I still watch the repeat programmes on gold today such nostalgia

[@rebeccalerch3134]

I am thankful for this. Thank you for sharing. Harpo , Peter. Truly favorite from Have You Been Served. Enjoy 😊 the Show’s

[@madjazzmike]

Hi ‘ to All- absolutely ‘ Fabulous to see this “ experience, with another idol of mine as well ,- Norman Wisdom of course ‘ - thanks for this delightful little film ‘ Cheers , All .- p’s- greatest television comedy series ‘ EVER , ! .

[@madjazzmike]

Thanks to you Brilliant ***

[@Davejazz]

Loved this tv series. What a big shame most of them with the angles now R I.P

[@AustinGoodman-ub9fo]

We still watch summer wine each evening, it’s the best love everyone of them❤❤❤

[@asthecrowflies737]

I got to meet Bill in 1980 at a fete at Great Rollright. He was a lovely fellow, and I adored him. 🥰Got photos and got a kiss!

[@boblivermore]

Happened to be watching this.and just announced on the news Christopher Beeny( who played Morton Beamish ) passed away today ,so sad that even the "newcomers" are going now. LOSW has been my favorite program for many years.

[@nicholc7300]

My favourite comedy programme. Compo was my favourite character in it I cried buckets watching ellegy for fallen wellies episode so moving Rest in Peace Bill Owen ❤️🙏🌹🌹

[@frednutz1604]

Both Compo & Cleggy are buried side by side in the cemetery in Holmfirth where this serries was filmed.

[@CoolBreeze0432]

Yes the memories I love the show and never will forget it

[@johnbravo2301]

A fan from USA , This is good fun entertainment . I enjoy every minute , every vista of the countryside .

[@johnriggs4929]

I'm lucky enough to live only a few miles from where it's filmed, and strangely we only really appreciate how lovely it is around here when we see it on tv.

[@rickyjones7282]

Last of the summer wine is the GREATEST program ever!!!

[@jediknight1209]

Makes me so happy I was born when I was. Age doesn't worry me because if I were not this age I wouldn't have known of people like this wonderful group of people so I am at peace always

[@carlozabbia1157]

I'm 71 and I just discovered this series this year. It first interested me because the episodes I saw first included some old friends from old sitcoms: Frank Thornton, Josephine Tewson, Peter Sallis (from Wallace and Gromit), Stephen Lewis, Trevor Bannister, Brian Murphy, Burt Kwouk (from the Pink Panther movies). So I'm watching it all, from the beginning. It could take months.

[@jmwbantiyan]

Glad to found them in that brilliant show last of the summer wine.

[@randycollins7910]

Miss them all dearly. My aunt Joan my wife and I absolutely love Last Of The Summer Wine. British comedy will always be the high water mark in comedy. Greetings from Newfoundland. 🤣

[@daveb6214]

The cast was superb, I keep watching the reruns on Gold . Compo was the best character, it's just a shame there aren't many members left now , they are All in Last Of The Summer Wine heaven. Godspeed to them All . G.B.N.F.

[@michellehill1820]

bill Owen who played compo with his downhill wellies and his walking the walls I miss him very much goodbye compo.

[@sheilacruz7700]

LOTSW is still my go-to when I need a break from reality & just want to go back to a simpler time and place. Thank God for KZbin making these episodes available especially during covivd. From across the pond, you Brits have the best comedians, the best scriptwriters and the best scenery for sure!

[@missymason3850]

I maybe decades behind but 27years later still very very strong part of this families lives.

[@carpenter284]

So much talent there sadly nearly all gone now

[@jennyj4337]

I love Summer Wine , I watch it every night before bed.

[@bevygaines]

Love LOTSW, the town and music are so soothing.

[@michellehill1820]

there will never have anyone take the place of bill Owen compo