Joe Gladwin


Joseph Gladwin was an English actor, best known for his roles as Fred Jackson in Coronation Street, Stan Hardman in Nearest and Dearest, and Wally Batty in the world's longest-running sitcom, Last of the Summer Wine.

Biography

Gladwin was born at 44 Tatton Street in the Ordsall district of Salford, Lancashire, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth. His father was a coal dealer. Gladwin was baptised on 28 January 1906 at Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Ordsall, and educated at the parish school. He married Lily Anne Wynne on 30 December 1933 at Mount Carmel Church. Gladwin was appointed a Papal Knight for his charity work.
Before his professional career took off, Gladwin performed with The Decoys during World War II, a concert party based in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. This concert party entertained the troops in hospitals and elsewhere. At the time, Gladwin was a driver for a company delivering medicines to chemists.
Gladwin served as northern representative of the Catholic Stage Guild. Gladwin had a lifelong rhotacism.

Career

Gladwin worked as a "feed" for Dave Morris for twelve years beginning in 1950. He appeared on British television from the 1960s onwards, making notable appearances in Z-Cars, Dixon of Dock Green and The Artful Dodger. He had a recurring role in Coronation Street between 1961 and 1966 as Fred Jackson, owner of the local fish and chip shop. Between 1968 and 1973 Gladwin appeared in Nearest and Dearest as Stan Hardman, a long-time worker in Pledge's Pickle factory, set in Colne, Lancashire and starring alongside Hylda Baker and Jimmy Jewel. He also appeared in Last of the Summer Wine from 1975 to 1986 and had completed work on the show's ninth series and 1986 Christmas special before his death.
His film credits included appearances in Three Hats for Lisa, Charlie Bubbles, Work Is a Four-Letter Word, The Reckoning, the film version of Nearest and Dearest, Escape from the Dark and Yanks.
YearTitleRole
1959The Artful DodgerCedric Butterworth
1961, 1963–1964, 1966Coronation StreetFred Jackson
1964Mary BartonJob Legh
1968 to 1973Nearest and DearestStan Hardman
1971Budgie - Series 1 Episode 7- Best MatesMaguire
1975The SweeneyStanley Proctor
1975The WackersJoe Farrell
1975 to 1976StrikerHarry
1975 to 1987Last of the Summer WineWally Batty
1978The LosersDennis Breene
1979ThundercloudPorter
1979How's Your Father?Mr Blenkinsop
1980All Creatures Great and SmallLen Hamson
1980Born and BredJoe Jaikes
1981Honky Tonk HeroesAlbert
1981Funny ManAutograph hunter
1981, 1984Juliet BravoMr. Long
Mr. Small
1982Tales of the UnexpectedHeeney

Death

Gladwin died on 11 March 1987, aged 81, in the Greater Manchester Hospital in Crumpsall. He had been ill for some time with bronchial cancer, which resulted in bronco-pneumonia complications. He is buried at St Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Wardley.