"It only seems like yesterday that Dad and I were meeting for lunch, or chatting on the 'phone and it also seems like yesterday when his family and fans were shattered by his death. 

To say I miss him is an understatement. I miss his advice and friendship. I miss the political arguments we always had.

 I miss seeing him on television on a Sunday evening, and I wonder everyday how he would react to me playing Compo's long lost son.

Bill's Memorial Garden in Upperthong is looking wonderful now that my Mary and our friend Paul have sorted it out !! Bill loved flowers and I know he is at rest in his beloved Holmfirth. 

I'm in my sixth year of "Last of the Summer Wine" but it only seems a moment ago when I had the call from Alan Bell asking if I'd be interested in playing tom Simmonite for four episodes, just to finish off the series !! 

Bill was never honoured for his role as Compo - a huge oversight I think but in a way he has been honoured by the depth of feeling from fans of the series. 

As important to "Last of the Summer Wine" as he was, the show goes on without him and thora and all the other wonderful people that have passed through the show on their journey. I always hear from fans how much they miss bill but I never hear that the show has suffered through his demise - it may have changed but that's different.

We all mourn the passing of Bill and it is correct that he be remembered on this, the fifth anniversary of his death. Let's think of him as I do and smile for that is what he made us all do. 

He's misting around up there somewhere, keeping an eye on everything and making sure that his "Last of the Summer Wine' keeps forever full in the glass."

Compo photo by Mike Fernly, Tom photo by Pat Carline
Click here for details of the Compo statue fund for Holmfirth.