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) Oxford. In 1965, Sykes was appointed as a canon at Bradford Cathedral in Yorkshire. In 1969, he became the chaplain at University College London. In 1978, he moved to University College, Oxford as fellow and chaplain, remaining there until his retirement in 2005. Subsequently, he was elected as an Emeritus Fellow of the College. Sykes wrote books and reflective thoughts on religious ideas, most notably "Visions of Faith: An Anthology of Reflections". His portrait was painted by the artist Daphne Todd. Bill Sykes died on 17 January 2015 at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, England, aged 75. Bill Sykes