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) not get a chance to play as a professional for Derbyshire until the 1932 season. He then played two matches for Derbyshire and made 27 in the first of them. Sykes was a right-handed batsman and played 10 innings in 5 first-class matches with an average of 11.66 and a top score of 50. He bowled one over at the cost of 2 runs without taking a wicket. Sykes died in Athersley North, Barnsley, Yorkshire, at the age of 83. Eric Sykes (cricketer) Eric Sykes (23 June 1906 – 7 December 1989) was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire