Oliver! (film) in the United States, and Oliver Reed, who played Bill Sikes, had just begun to make a name for himself. Producer John Woolf suggested Oliver Reed for the role to the director Reed, without knowing that the two were in fact related. Ron Moody, who was also well known in Britain but not the US, recreated his London stage performance, after Peter Sellers, Dick Van Dyke and Peter O'Toole reportedly turned down the role. Elizabeth Taylor turned down the role of Nancy as well. Julie Andrews was also considered. Director Reed also had Shirley Bassey in mind, but his choice
Bill Sykes (chaplain) Bill Sykes (chaplain) Revd William ("Bill") George David Sykes MA (1939 – 17 January 2015) was an English college fellow, chaplain, and book author. Bill Sykes was born in Yorkshire, England. He attended school at Worksop College in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Sykes then undertook National Service, joining the Gurkhas. He then studied for a PPE degree at Balliol College, Oxford. Upon finishing his degree and following on from his experience with the Gurkhas, Sykes joined an expedition to Nepal organized by Oxford University, acting as an interpreter. After returning from the expedition, Sykes trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall in North