Charles Stapley
Charles Henry Stapley (23 July 1925 – 8 January 2011) was a British actor, best known for playing Ted Hope in the television soap opera Crossroads. He also appeared in various theatrical roles, in The Benny Hill Show, and in a television version of The Adventures of Robin Hood in which he took 26 different roles.
Charles Stapley | |
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Born | Charles Henry Stapley 23 July 1925 Ilford, Essex, England |
Died | 8 January 2011 85) | (aged
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Actor |
Known for | Ted Hope in Crossroads |
Spouse(s) | 2 further marriages |
Partner(s) | Beatrice Mills |
Children | 4 |
Relatives | Heather Mills (stepdaughter) |
Early life
Charles Stapley was born in Ilford, Essex, the son of a business executive father who worked for the Blue Circle cement company in London.[1] He was educated at Ilford County High School and Brighton and Hove Grammar School after the family moved to Portslade, East Sussex.[1]
Career
Stapley served in the Royal Air Force at the end of the Second World War.[2] He then worked in the film distribution division of the Rank Organisation.[2]
He subsequently acted in the theatre before moving into television, including playing 26 different roles in Associated Television's series The Adventures of Robin Hood in 1955–56.[1][2] He appeared in The Benny Hill Show, but was best known for playing Ted Hope in the television soap opera Crossroads.[1][2]
Personal life
Stapley's first wife was Nan Winton, BBC television's first female newsreader.[1] They were divorced in 1962.[3] He had two further marriages, both of which ended in divorce.[1][4] He had a son and a daughter from each of his first two marriages.[1][2]
In November 1978, whilst married to his third wife, he met Beatrice Mills and they soon started an affair.[2][4] She eventually left her husband Mark Mills, and moved to London to be with Stapley.[4] Six years later, her three children joined them after Mark Mills was jailed for fraud, and Stapley became their stepfather.[4] The eldest, then 15, was Heather Mills McCartney, who would later call him "evil" and a "snooty actor".[4] Stapley commented that "Heather is simply a very confused woman for whom reality and fantasy have become blurred".[2][4] They "repeatedly clashed in print".[2]
References
- Hayward, Anthony (3 April 2011). "Charles Stapley obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- "Charles Stapley". The Herald. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- "Radio And Tv Interviewer Nan Winton Wife Of Charles Stapley Was Granted A Decree Nisi In The Divorce Court". Shutterstock. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- "Heather Mills: Like mother, like daughter". Evening Standard. 11 November 2006. Retrieved 21 May 2019.