Bernard Youens

Bernard Youens (December 28, 1914 - August 27, 1984) was a heavyweight British character actor, best remembered for his portrayal of the workshy, beer swilling Stan Ogden in Coronation Street from 1964 until his death in 1984.

Related Topics:
December 28 - 1914 - August 27 - 1984 - Coronation Street - 1964

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Born in Hove, East Sussex, as Bernard Popley, 'Bunny' Youens (as he was nicknamed) began his stage career as a 16 year old after becoming assistant stage manager at the Players Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne. He went on to spend much of the 1930s honing his craft in repertory theatre. His acting career was interrupted by the Second World War (during which he served in North Africa and Anzio) but he returned to rep after the War, whilst also working as a publican and a labourer.

Related Topics:
Hove - East Sussex - Newcastle upon Tyne - 1930s - Repertory theatre - Second World War - Africa - Anzio

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Youens breakthrough on television came in 1956 when he was appointed to be the continuity announcer for Granada Television, becoming popular due to his 'velvet voiced' tones, in marked contrast to the character he would later becoming famous for portraying. Youens also took minor roles in a number of ITV series at the time, although he declined the chance to audition for Coronation Street when it was launched in 1960, before eventually passing an audition in 1964.

Related Topics:
Television - 1956 - Granada Television - ITV - 1960

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Youens suffered a series of heart attacks and strokes in the 1970s, which left him impaired speech and prompted speculation about his future on the show. However Youens refused to retire and underwent speech therapy, whilst the writers brought in Geoffrey Hughes as a lodger for Stan and Hilda (Jean Alexander) in order to reduce Youens' dialogue.

Related Topics:
Heart attacks - Strokes - 1970s - Speech therapy - Geoffrey Hughes - Jean Alexander

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Having suffred most of his later life with severe arthritis in the knees, he contracted gangrene in his left leg in early 1984, resulting in amputation. Unable to return to Coronation Street after this, Youens died in hospital at the age of 69, with the character, still one of the most popular in the soap's history, also killed off. He was married to Edna Swallow, with two daughters and three sons.

Related Topics:
Arthritis - Gangrene - Amputation

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