Tony Melody

Tony Melody played character parts in many of Britain's most popular TV shows, including Coronation Street (1960), Emmerdale (1972) and Last of the Summer Wine (1973). For 15 years he played the neighbour, Mr. Higginbottom, in The Clitheroe Kid on BBC radio. Melody's long, hangdog face also earned him comedy cameos in Steptoe and Son (1962), Heartbeat (1992), City Central (1998), and Where the Heart Is (1997). Melody also worked in stage shows and films. His big break came with Yanks (1979) starring Richard Gere. Sudden fame came his way when he appeared in a TV McDonald's campaign in 2002. His broadcasting break came in the BBC's North Region in 1955 with What Makes A Star? - a showcase for new talent. His first network television was in 1957 in the Hylda Baker comedy series Be Soon (1957). In the 1980s he was regular on Bergerac (1981), Dalziel and Pascoe (1996). An unassuming man who was shy offscreen and rarely gave interviews. Melody's first marriage was dissolved and in 1972 he married Maggie, a former dancer he met in Skegness. They lived happily ever after.