Last of the Summer Wine : Frank Thornton Has Died

Frank Thornton Has Died

Oddly enough, it doesn't seem to have gotten much attention on this board, but Frank Thornton, who played Herbert "Truly" Truelove on the show died last month. He was an astounding 92 years old. And the last series of Summer Wine only went out a couple of years, so he was working until he was almost 90. That's pretty remarkable, even if his and Cleggy's parts had to be smaller in the last couple of series. Way to go, Truly! This is the first time I've visited this site since reading of Thornton's passing.

Peter Sallis is in his 90s now as well, and it's a bit strange to think that even though I've never met him in my life, I'm dreading the day that I read that he has died. We grow incredibly attached to our favorite characters, especially when they were with us for as long as Summer Wine's, and in some way, we almost project that familiarity onto the actor.

Let's face it: Summer Wine had to end at some point. If not in 2010, it would have had to pretty soon after. All things pass and even though it's a sad reminder of the impermanent nature of our reality, and of mortality, we still have some 37 years' worth of programs to enjoy. The truth is, by this point in time, we're really fortunate that the very few original cast members are still with us, let alone able to work up until the last episodes. Most of us, at the age of 90, won't be doing what Peter Sallis and Frank Thornton were doing! To me, it 's amazing to think of still being alive at the age of 90. I know it's getting more common, to the point that it's almost surprising to hear of someone who doesn't make it to 80, but even today, it's not everyone who lives to be 90.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2013/mar/18/frank-thornton


'Irregardless' is not a word

Re: Frank Thornton Has Died

I had been on this board immediately after hearing the news and was surprised not to see any comments aswell - I would have started a thread myself but ended up reading people's comments on Twitter in the end.

I think it's always remarkable to hear of people acting well past their 80th birthdays. Both Thornton and Sallis did such a fine job right to the end of the series.

I must admit that I too am not looking forward to the time we'll lose Peter. His character in the show was always my favourite so it will be a sad day.

RIP Frank Thornton.

Re: Frank Thornton Has Died

Cleggy is my favorite as well. I think he's probably the most relatable. Compo and the third men were always extreme, almost caricatures. Clegg is vaguely realistic.

For third men, I'll admit I preferred Foggy or Seymour, but Truly was definitely around long enough to get used to. Thornton was very good and had a distinguished career. Funnily enough, my TV channel in America never showed specials, so we originally missed Truly's intro and it seemed like no continuity until I saw it on DVD years later.

Re: Frank Thornton Has Died

Yes, it was important to have at least one fairly level kind of character so Cleggy fitted the bill nicely.

Although I think Foggy will always be my favourite third man, Truly won me over when I eventually gave the later series' a try (I missed them when they were intially broadcast because I was convinced the show would have been past it's best). I only wish the character had been conceived sooner so we may have seen his younger version in First of the Summer Wine.

Re: Frank Thornton Has Died


Yes, we see all the madness from Clegg's perspective. He's neighbors with Howard and Pearl. He he has to keep Compo and Foggy (or Truly or Seymour or Blamire) from killing each other. He's terrified of an elderly shopkeeper. In other words, he's at least surrounded by people who make him look sane! I suppose he's a bit of an everyman.


I got to like Truly. I remember one of his early episodes, when he was trying to get his face in the papers for rescuing somebody. He ended up with his picture in the papers as the person who needed rescuing.



'Irregardless' is not a word

Re: Frank Thornton Has Died

Very sad to see this. I think the lack of messages on the board here is probably due to the fact that it just didn't make the news over here in the US. This has happened with many other stars of favorite British series - I often don't hear about their deaths until long after the fact.

Re: Frank Thornton Has Died


Same here, as another American. Still, IMDb is an international site, I believe, and I'm pretty sure some posters are from the UK.


"Sometimes it's right to feel a fool"- Cleggy
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