The Welshest Londoner in history is no more. Windsor Davies was, despite his accent, born in Canning Town in 1930. His family moved to the valleys with the onset of World War II. Originally a teacher, he decided to switch to a career in acting after doing his National Service in Libya. This military background came in handy for his most famous role, Battery Sergeant Major Williams in racially suspect unfunny 1970s sitcom “It Ain’t Half Hot Mum”. Davies even managed a number one single off the back of the show, alongside co-star Don Estelle with a cover of “Whispering Grass” in 1975.
Davies also had a ten-year run on the utterly dire ITV sitcom of the 1980s Never The Twain, and his booming voice was often put to good use in adverts for products like Cadbury’s Wispa and Heinz Baked Beans. He retired from acting in 2004 to move to the south of France with his wife, who predeceased him by four months. A number of DDP teams, a nice selection of theme outfits and old-stagers, can scream “SHUT UP!!!!” at those who thought this was a bad pick now.
Windsor Davies
28 August 1930 – 17 January 2019
Died aged 88 (11 picks)