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LEYTON: Captain Birds Eye passes away

8:47am Wednesday 19th March 2008

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By Guardian-series »

THE Leyton-born actor who played Captain Birds Eye in adverts for fish fingers for 30 years has died.

John Hewer, who also lived in Epping for about ten years, played the role of the jolly, bearded naval captain from 1967 until the nineties.

He passed away at the actors' retirement home, Brinsworth House, in Middlesex, aged 86.

He lived in Coopersale before moving to Kendal Avenue, Epping.

Former Epping mayor Peter Burns, who remembers Hewer's time in the town, said: "I would see him in the street and used to talk to him. He was well-known especially to the younger people. He was quite a character."

Mr Hewer had a long and distinguished stage and screen career.

He appeared in the original Broadway production of Sandy Wilson's The Boyfriend, opposite Julie Andrews, and also starred in a production of the Noel Coward musical Sail Away.

He became a stalwart of the Players' Theatre in central London and also appeared in a television adaptation of Charles Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby.

A spokesman for Birds Eye said: "We are saddened to hear the news of John Hewer's death.

"As Captain Birds Eye in our ads for nearly 30 years John was very much part of our family and our thoughts are now with his."

Since Mr Hewer's retirement his role in the frozen fish adverts has been played by actor Thomas Pescod.

Your Say Your Guardian

Mr Khalid, walthamstow says...
9:35pm Tue 25 Mar 08

Is clening all the covasations becose this peopal all sayinbad thing for dedman? finger fish and very bad laf?

md250, ilford says...
7:37am Wed 26 Mar 08

Mr Khalid wrote:
Is clening all the covasations becose this peopal all sayinbad thing for dedman? finger fish and very bad laf?
we wish you were dead with him

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John Hewer in his famous role John Hewer in his famous role

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