Bryan Mosley obituary

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• Publication: The Stage
• Date: 1999-02-25
• Author: Patrick Newley
• Page: 30
• Language: English

A character actor of enormous experience in theatre and television, Bryan Mosley, who died at the age of 67 on February 9, will be best remembered as Coronation Street's Alf Roberts. He appeared in 1,863 episodes from 1961 until last year, during which time his character ran the local mini-market, was twice Mayor of Weatherfield, married three times and was involved in some of the more hilarious story-lines of this national institution.

Born in Leeds on August 25, 1931, Mosley's interest in drama was fuelled by swashbuckling movies at his local fleapit. Educated at Leeds College of Art, his National Service was in the RAF. On leaving he went into rep, at one stage playing opposite Jean Alexander, later to play Hilda Ogden in The Street. In 1957, he toured with The York Mystery Plays.

Early television roles were in The Saint, Doctor Who, Z Cars, The Avengers and Crossroads, with Sue Nicholls - later to play his screen wife Audrey. He joined Coronation Street in its 18th episode in December 1960, playing a postal worker, but an Equity strike at Granada Television ended his run. Seven years later he was invited to play the part of Alf, and he perfected the grocer's long-suffering, grumpy demeanour over the decades.

Despite the ill health that had dogged him for many years, Mosley was reluctant to leave the soap, but nevertheless he was written out in a New Year's Eve special. Alf was found dead in an armchair while wife Audrey danced suggestively with the butcher, Fred Elliott (John Savident). Understandably, the episode attracted record viewing figures.

Mosley's many appearances in British movies show him to be an actor who could be decidedly menacing. Notable were A Kind of Loving, This Sporting Life, Far from the Madding Crowd and Charlie Bubbles. He also put in a brilliant cameo opposite Michael Caine in the 1971 thriller, Get Carter. He was awarded an OBE in 1995.

A deeply religious man, he once appeared on Songs of Praise, where he talked openly of his ill health. The response from the viewers was a huge postbag and Mosley said later: "Nothing gave me more feedback. It was incredible!" Fellow actors in Coronation Street were quick to praise his professionalism.

He is survived by his wife Norma, three sons and three daughters.

Caption: Street favourite - Bryan Mosley

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• APA 6th ed.: Newley, Patrick (1999-02-25). Bryan Mosley obituary. The Stage p. 30.
• MLA 7th ed.: Newley, Patrick. "Bryan Mosley obituary." The Stage [add city] 1999-02-25, 30. Print.
• Chicago 15th ed.: Newley, Patrick. "Bryan Mosley obituary." The Stage, edition, sec., 1999-02-25
• Turabian: Newley, Patrick. "Bryan Mosley obituary." The Stage, 1999-02-25, section, 30 edition.
• Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Bryan Mosley obituary | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Bryan_Mosley_obituary | work=The Stage | pages=30 | date=1999-02-25 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=24 May 2025 }}</ref>
• Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Bryan Mosley obituary | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Bryan_Mosley_obituary | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=24 May 2025}}</ref>