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
Eric Sykes (cricketer) Eric Sykes (cricketer) Eric Sykes (23 June 1906 – 7 December 1989) was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire in 1925 and 1932. Sykes was born in Bolsover, the son of Ernest Sykes who had played cricket for Hampshire. Sykes made his first-class debut for Derbyshire in the 1925 season in June against Gloucestershire and made 50 in his first innings. In his next match he was at the wicket on 4 when Derbyshire won, but he made little impression in his last match of the season against Lancashire. Sykes turned professional after playing as an amateur, but did