Summer Wine - The News

This is a sad time for Summer Wine Online - we are all saddened by news of the death of Wesley, one of the great characters of Last of the Summer Wine.

Clive Eardley, of the Summer Wine Appreciation Society, has sent us a selection of special photos of actor Gordon Wharmby, known to fans as Wesley Pegden, who sadly died at the age of 68.

We also thank Jeff Robinson, a fan of the series, for providing a few additional background details. Wesley had been suffering from lung cancer and died at a hospital in North Wales.

Jeff said: "Wesley had appeared in 11 series of Last of the Summer Wine and was getting ready to take part in the next series. Filming is due to start very shortly.

"Fans will know he was the husband of Edie (Thora Hird) and had been in the series for about ten years. He was a great character, very genuine and very nice in real life and he will be sadly missed. He was a true gentleman."

Gordon had appeared in other popular programmes including Coronation Street and All Creatures Great and Small.

Summer Wine Online has received scores of email from the UK and USA, and other parts of the world, since the death of Wesley was announced. We will be publishing some of these comments later.

Photos of Wesley - please click to enlarge Photos supplied by Summer Wine Appreciation Society These must not be published by other media services without permission

Joint Statement from the BBC

Everyone at the BBC was saddened to hear of the death of Gordon Wharmby, who had been in 11 series and two films of Last of the Summer Wine, running over the past 20 years.

Jon Plowman, BBC Head of Comedy Entertainment, said: 'Wesley Pegden was a much loved character in Last of The Summer Wine and Gordon will be sadly missed by the cast, crew and viewers of the show.'

Alan Bell, director of Last of The Summer Wine, said: 'Gordon initially came along to audition for a one-line part, but he was so good that he was given a major guest part in the episode Car and Garter in 1981.'

Writer Roy Clarke was so impressed with his talents that he built up the character of Wesley Pegden, which subsequently received a major following. The show benefited enormously from his unique talents. He's Irreplaceable and will be very sorely missed by all.'

Roy added: 'I had great Respect and admiration for Gordon. His performances as Wesley were consistently professional, and technically perfect. His comic timing was quite brilliant and vital for the role he created. He was a natural and I will miss him.'

The BBC would like to thank the fans of Last of the Summer Wine for their support, and hope that you will enjoy the new series, which is currently in production.

Messages From Fans

Thank you for all your touching messages of sympathy. Sorry it has taken so long to publish extracts from these, but we have received over 100 emails from fans worldwide and it has taken some considerable time to read through them all.
As promised, we are publishing some sample extracts on this page, and more will follow later. Please note, that some messages have been shortened, and we have not been able to use them all.

I too just learned of Mr. Wharmby's death -- ironically because I noticed that Nora Batty wasn't appearing in the "new" episodes now showing on my stateside PBS station and was worried that something had happened to that fun actress.

It hurts to lose such fine talent as Gordon Wharmby and Bill Owen ... but this time I don't think the shock and trauma will be so bad -- as last time I found out by seeing the episodes which dealt with his death. They were marvelous, moving, and very traumatic ... which leads me to wonder how much was acting and how much releasing of true emotions of old friends. I'd suppose the same agony must be hitting the cast due to this latest of inevitable separations. May they rest in peace, and may perpetual light shine upon them.

I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Gordon Wharmby. I enjoyed his character Wesley so much. I'm a mechanic and love to tinker in my garage with my race car. Wesley's way of doing projects for the boys and himself looked so believable. I will always remember his greeting "how do lads".

Gary Blair Pylesville, Maryland USA (Sept 2002)

Do please convey my condolences to Mr. Wharmby's family, friends, and colleagues. I knew him only through his work on Last of the Summer Wine, where he brought the character of Wesley to life so well. I shall miss him and his cheery "How do, Lads?" greatly.

Gordon Runkle.

"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." -- Theodore Roosevelt

Be sure the Baltimore/Harford Counties, Maryland USA fans of LOTSW are truly saddened to hear of the death of Gordon Wharmby. His portrayal of Wesley was special and added so very much to the series. Nowhere can I find out the date of his death. Could this information be released to the fans of the program?

How very very sad to read of Gordon Wharmby's death. I didn't hear of it in the papers or media - the first I for one knew of it was on the website. He will be greatly missed, and his smoking cap too. Incidentally, you quote Jeff Robinson as saying he had been in the series about ten years. He first appeared actually in "Car and Garter" in January 1982 - 20 years ago! and long before Edie turned up. One the subject of the DVD release of series 1 - they must be kidding about the price! I've waited along time for a DVD to come out, but I'm not willing to pay Ł5 per episode. You can buy the complete two series of Thin Blue Line over the internet for Ł13.99, and the complete first series of Gimme Gimme Gimme or Black Books for Ł14.99. Ł30 is just racketeering.

Patrick, I am at the point of tears to hear about Wesley. I really enjoyed watching him and listening to him. As everyone that knows me knows I would be lost without Summer Wine. I look forward to the program every day. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Summer Wine family. I will miss him. I am thankful that I have tapes so I will be able to see him. Wesley, you will always be with me. Patrick, that was a beautiful write up and the photos are wonderful. Thanks so much.
Elizabeth Nichols - Arlington, Virginia USA

What very sad news about Gordon Wharmby. Wesley was such a nice character, always ready to help out and join in the fun, getting under Edie`s feet, (like the news papers that she always put down for him), who can forget him putting out his burning cap and shouting "she'll go you know, she'll go". It is hard to imagine how things will go on without him. How will Edie and Glenda manage now?.

First, deepest sorrows for the loss of a great person and actor, Gordon Wharmby. He and his character, Wesley, will indeed be missed. The man obviously brought himself into the endearing Mr. Pegden. And deepest regards to the rest of the cast. They must be hurting a great deal.

Hi Patrick

So sorry to learn of the death of Gordon Wharmby - Wesley. A wonderful character, a master mechanic, and a perfect opposite for Dama Thora. The loss of Blamire, Wally, Sid and of course Compo adds to fact that perhaps the Last of the Summer Wine is about to run dry? I do hope not! I am fortunate to be able to watch every episode now of this wonderful series and long may it continue to bring the gentle humour so sadly missing from today's world.

God bless Wesley. Heaven will be all the richer.

Regards Julian J Humphrey

...How sad indeed that Wesley has now joined some of the others. I'm sure they are all with Sid in his cafe in the sky. Gordon Wharmby character will be missed. I do hope that this will not mean an end to LSW.

Sandi

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Gordon Wharmby (Wesley).I love watching "Last of the Summer Wine" on public television here in the U.S. I identified with the character of Wesley Pegden tinkering with mechanical things as I do, and driving around in his Land Rover with the music blasting. I do the same in my Jeep. Thanks Gordon for representing all of us tinkerers. May God's peace be with you and your loved ones.

Ken Winters a fan in the U.S.A.

What another great sadness we now have to bear with the untimely death of Gordon Wharmby who for so many years has delighted us with his stoical and affectionate performance as Wesley Pegden. Those of us fortunate enough to attend some of the "live" audience recordings will know just what a splendid character he was in the "warm-up" sessions and how the interaction between Wesley and his wife typifies the essential quality of true northern humour. I believe that he is irreplaceable and can only assume that once again the excellent Roy Clarke together with Alan Bell will between them manage to insert perhaps Tom as the driver needed to transport our heroes around the delights of Yorkshire for our continued enjoyment. Gordon seemed a modest man in real life but played a huge part, together with all the cast in entertaining us so well over the years. I send his family and associates our deepest sympathy and trust that many of us will occasionally play heavy metal rock music as we drive along and also make every effort not to stay clean in memory of this fine actor and his brilliant portrayal of his Summer Wine role.

Gerald D Hayne

Must express my sadness at the passing of Gordon Wharmby - the wonderful Wesley on "Summer Wine." I began watching the series just a year or so ago and have become a true fan. I was shocked to see the episodes (two years after the fact) on Compo's death. Couldn't believe, at the time, that Bill Owen had actually died! Now "Wesley"?? I sincerely hope this doesn't signal the end of SW. And will we see episodes honoring Mr. Whamby.

I was very sad to hear about Wesleys death, these great people mustn't be taken for granted as a lot of them aren't with us any more, I personally will never forget them, they have given me many hours of pleasure and will do for many years more I hope.

Thank you
Gareth

We were shocked and saddened to hear about he sudden death of Gordon Wharmby who played Wesley superbly in LOTSW. What a wonderful character he played. He reminded me of my father in law, Tony who also likes to tinker with our car but thankfully always successfully!!

Gordon will no doubt be sorely missed by his family, friends, cast, crew and us devotees of the programme. Roy Clarke will obviously do a wonderful job in expressing the loss through the characters especially Thora who is a national treasure! Thanks Gordon for the laughs and memories. Rest in Peace.

Neil Angela Laura Elaine

...So sad to hear of the death of Gordon Wharmby. Wesley Pegden became an essential part of Summer Wine and he will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family.

Rob Tomkins Birmingham May 2002

...Wesley was one of our favorite guys, we loved his sense of humor and the fact he spent so much time with his four-wheel drive, and creating inventions. To us, he was the typical eccentric Englishman, inventing wacky creations in his garden shed.

..My family have been really saddened by the news. We did not know until we saw it on your website, and could not believe it. Just when he was about to start filming again. Thanks for your coverage.

With love
Gerald Laithe

..First I was close to tears, could not believe the news about Wesley, he was a superb actor. Then, I am ashamed to say I was worrying about the future of the series. What will happen? However, I am assured by the fact they have been thru worse times than this and long may it continue.

L. Saunders

I would just like to say how much joy Wesley had brought us all these years. We did not realise it at the time, but he was one of our favorite actors in the Summer Wine program.

Sarah H.