John Alderton, a British actor and comedian known for his bushy eyebrows and later, his distinguished beard, has graced both the small and large screens for decades. Born to Gordon John Alderton and Ivy Handley, his initial aspirations leaned towards architecture. However, life took a different turn, leading him through a period as a driving instructor before he embraced his true calling: acting. His formal training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), commencing in 1961 on a scholarship, marked the beginning of a prolific career in entertainment.
Alderton’s professional journey began immediately after graduating from RADA, with his theatrical debut at the Theatre Royal Repertory Company in York. By 1965, he had made his way to the London stage, performing in Bill Naughton’s play “Spring and Port Wine.” Interestingly, while Alderton played one of the sons, Harold Crompton, in the stage production, the role was portrayed by Rodney Bewes in the subsequent film adaptation.
His breakthrough into television came with the medical drama “Emergency-Ward 10,” where he played Dr. Richard Moone. This role was particularly notable as it paired him with his first wife, Jill Browne. “Emergency-Ward 10” was a pioneering series, becoming Britain’s first twice-weekly serial and boasting an impressive viewership of 16 million by the time Alderton joined the cast. Despite this early success, the years following 1963 saw Alderton taking on less prominent supporting roles in both film and television.
The late 1960s marked a turning point in John Alderton’s career with the sitcom “Please Sir!”. His portrayal of Bernard ‘Privet’ Hedges, a naive and stammering novice teacher tasked with the school’s most unruly class, earned him a BAFTA nomination. This role became iconic, and he reprised it for the feature film adaptation of “Please Sir!”. However, Alderton eventually departed from the series after cast changes led to a decline in viewership. A spin-off series, “The Fenn Street Gang,” followed the former students but was short-lived, lasting only two seasons.
Further cementing his status as a versatile actor, John Alderton captivated audiences in the BBC sitcom “My Wife Next Door” alongside Hannah Gordon, and in the ITV period drama “Upstairs, Downstairs” (Das Haus am Eaton Place in German markets). In “Upstairs, Downstairs,” he portrayed Thomas Watkins, the moustachioed chauffeur, a character he humorously described as “a conniving, thieving, chauvinistic baddie.” This series also marked the appearance of his second wife, Pauline Collins, with whom he would frequently collaborate. Their on-screen partnerships included the sitcoms “No, Honestly” and “Thomas and Sarah,” as well as the idyllic drama “Forever Green.” They also shared the screen in “Wodehouse Playhouse,” an adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse’s ‘Mr. Mulliner’ stories, where Alderton showcased his comedic range playing various eccentric characters like the timid curate Augustus Mulliner and the Hollywood producer Jacob Schnellenhammer.
A rare leading film role came in 1976 when John Alderton embodied the beloved Yorkshire veterinarian James Herriot in “It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet.” Returning to television comedy, he starred in “The Upchat Line” as Mike Upchat, a charming rogue and congenital liar who relies on his wit to find lodging and companionship. This role tapped into a different facet of Alderton’s comedic talents, showcasing his ability to play a less sympathetic, yet still engaging, character. Interestingly, director Richard Lester had considered Alderton for the role of Harry Flashman in a film adaptation of George MacDonald Fraser’s novels as early as 1969, recognizing his comedic talent and physical suitability for the role, but the project was unfortunately cancelled due to studio changes.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, John Alderton continued to demonstrate his acting prowess in diverse roles. He took to the stage at the National Theatre as Estragon in “Waiting for Godot,” portrayed a headmaster in “The Race – Fernes Ziel,” and delivered a memorable performance as Christopher Casby in the BBC’s adaptation of “Little Dorrit.” His role in the film “Calendar Girls” earned him a nomination for ‘supporting actor of the year’ at the London Film Critics Circle Awards in 2003, further solidifying his reputation as a respected character actor.
Adding another dimension to his career, John Alderton provided the narration and voices for all characters in the first four seasons of the animated children’s series “Fireman Sam,” demonstrating his versatility across different genres and audiences. His final screen credit was in 2010, marking the end of a long and distinguished career. John Alderton’s contributions to British television, film, and theatre have left a lasting impact, remembered for his comedic timing, nuanced performances, and enduring presence on screen.
