Where is the cast of Open All Hours now? From soap stardom to quitting showbiz and tragic deaths
FANS of Open All Hours were left devastated by the news that much-loved star Lynda Baron had passed away this week.
The actress, who was best known for her role in the long-running sitcom, died at the age of 82 on March 5.
Lynda starred opposite Sir David Jason and Ronnie Barker as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in Open All Hours, which aired from 1976.
The sitcom, which ran for almost ten years across four seasons until 1985, followed grocer’s shop owner Arkwright, played by Ronnie.
The actor was often seen alongside his on-screen errand boy Granville, depicted by Only Fools and Horses star David, 82.
Much loved by audiences, the characters were followed closely across a number of episodes – which came to an end 37 years ago.
Among them was Lynda’s character Gladys – who made a return in the 2013 follow-up special of the show Still Open All Hours.
While fans have been mourning the death of the beloved actress, it’s no doubt had them wondering where the rest of the cast are now.
From soap stardom to quitting showbiz for good – and a number of tragic deaths – we reveal what happened next for the sitcom stars.
Ronnie Barker
Ronnie Barker rose to fame on The Two Ronnies after working alongside the BBC on the radio until his TV career kicked off in 1971.
Running for over 16 years until its final episode in 1987, Ronnie acted alongside his co-star and friend Ronnie Corbett.
He went on to star as inmate Norman Stanley Fletcher in Porridge from 1974 to 1977, as well as the sequel in 1978, Going Straight.
Ronnie was also spotted in Open All Hours, which ran from 1976 to 1985, as protagonist and shopkeeper Awrkwright.
After his acting success, he wrote a comedy under his own name, as well as a number of comedies under his adopted pseudonyms.
Ronnie won a BAFTA for Best Light Entertainment Performance four times over, as well as an OBE in 1978 for his services to TV.
However, the star also suffered a number of flops – including The Magnificent Evans and a sitcom of his own called Clarence.
In 1987, Ronnie told Terry Wogan during an interview that he was closing the door on his acting career to change careers.
After quitting showbiz for good, Ronnie opened an antiques store in Chipping Norton – only returning to TV for special appearances.
He took part in a reunion with Ronnie Corbett for Two Ronnies Night shortly before he passed away in 2005, aged 76, from heart failure.
David Jason
Only Fools and Horses legend Sir David, 82, has become one of the UK’s most beloved actors throughout his four-decade-long career.
After starring in Open All Hours, Brits totally fell in love with the actor – who starred as Pa Larkin in The Darling Buds Of May.
David went on to be the lead in detective show A Touch Of Frost, which ran from 1992 to 2010.
In 2013, the actor reprised his Open All Hours role as Granville in a special one-off episode to celebrate the long-running show.
Last year, David also reprised his Del Boy role in a Strictly Christmas Special when Jay Blades danced to the Only Fools theme tune.
Away from the silver screen, David married Welsh actress Myfanwy Talog – who he nursed through breast cancer before her tragic death.
Myfanwy passed away in 1995 following 18 years of marriage.
In 2001, David become a father for the first time when he and his new partner Gill Hinchcliffe gave birth to their only daughter.
Lynda Baron
Lynda tragically passed away last week aged 82.
The actress starred in The Upper Hand, Last of the Summer Wine and Open All Hours throughout her impressive career.
She was best known for her role as Auntie Mabel in the award-winning children’s series Come Outside, which aired throughout the 1990s.
Lynda also had short stints in Coronation Street and Goodnight Sweetheart – as well as acting as Jane Beale’s mum in EastEnders.
The mother-of-two was last seen on TV during the BBC’s detective period show – Father Brown – back in 2017.
She tragically passed away peacefully at home on March 5, 2022.
Stephanie Cole
Stephanie, 80, is best known for playing Mrs Featherstone in Open All Hours – before celebrating a number of TV roles.
She acted in Waiting For God, Doc Martin and Coronation Street – where she plated Roy Cropper’s mum in a number of episodes.
The actress – who is a mother of one and has been married twice – was last seen on TV in 2019 during her role in BBC comedy Scarborough.
Maggie Ollerenshaw
Maggie, 72, was much-loved by Open All Hours audiences as character Mavis – so it’s no surprise she made it to the big screen.
She popped up in House of Eliott, Lovejoy, Holby City and Coronation Street before being cast in a Steven Spielberg film.
Maggie could be seen in War Horse, which told the story of the Michael Morpurgo novel of the same name back in 2011.
Since then, she has also given her voice to a number of kids cartoon characters, including Henrietta in Thomas and Friends.
Kathy Staff
Kathy was best known for her role as Mrs Blewett in the sitcom – before she went on to her second iconic role in Last Of The Summer Wine.
She will be remembered by fans for playing Nora Batty in the long running series, featuring in almost 300 episodes.
Kathy tragically passed away from a brain tumour in 2008 at the age of 80.
Barbara Flynn
Barbara, 73, played the milk woman in Open All Hours.
She went on to star in the Biederbecke Trilogy, as well as a doctor in A Very Peculiar Practice – which ran from 1986.
Barbara also had stints in Cracker and Cranford, Miss Potter and Cranford and The Queen.
